Sweat Test for Cystic Fibrosis

Contents

The sweat test determines the amount of chloride in the sweat. Chloride is the salt group that is being sweated. Analysis can diagnose cystic fibrosis (CF), because people with CF have higher chloride values in their sweat.

CF is a genetic disorder that can affect people of all ages. to cystic fibrosis Both parents must inherit a modified CFTR gene from both guardians. (A change in a gene is also called a variation or mutation.) Once you inherit the modified gene, there is no disease, but you are a carrier. Being a carrier means that if you have a child of someone else who has a configuration of one or both CFTR genes, your child can inherit two altered genes and get CF.

The disease affects the parts of the body that produce mucus and sweat. Mucus is usually slimy and protects the airways, digestive tract, and other organs and tissues; with CF, mucus becomes thick and sticky. It can accumulate in your organs and cause damage.

CF usually affects something serious. Thick mucus can make breathing more difficult and can lead to frequent infections and damage to non-serious ones. another common problem with CF is malnutrition, as this disease can reduce the body’s ability to absorb calories from food.

Other names: sweet chloride test, cystic fibrosis Sweat Test, Sweat Electrolytes.

What is it used for?

The sweat test is used to make a diagnosis. cystic fibrosis .

Why is a sweat test needed?

Sweat tests can make the diagnosis cystic fibrosis (cf) people of all ages:

Babies in the U.S. are screened as newborns for all types of diseases, including CF. If the screening test indicates that the baby may have CF, a sweat test is needed to make a diagnosis. It is best to do the test when the baby is between 10 days and 4 months old; the health problems caused by CF may delay or prevent it.
Children and adults may need the following a cystic fibrosis a sweat test to see if they have CF or if someone in their CF family has CF. most people with CF have complaints, but some do not. In milder cases, signs can only appear in adulthood; signs of CF depend on which organs are affected and can include
- Wheezing or coughing, most likely accompanied by mucus or blood separation.
- Nod the fingers and toes. This means that the nails of the hands and feet are as wide and round as the back of a spoon. As a rule, this is done due to low air content in the blood. This occurs when they do not function properly when not bulky. Lack of air can result in nail formation.
- Fever with fever (sweating profusely during sleep).
- Digestive symptoms such as lazy zy abdominal pain, acquired (prolonged) diarrhea or obstruction.
- Low body weight.
- Muscle aches and joint pain.
- Delayed or puberty.
- Salty skin and saltier sweat than normal.
- Sinus infection.
If your doctor suspects CF, it is essential to have it tested; there is no medicine for CF, but healing can help you and your child live longer and healthier lives.

What happens during sweat testing?

For the sweat test, the health care professional will take a monster of sweat from you or your baby. This takes about an hour and is usually the correct procedure.
- An odorless chemical (pilocarpine) is used in a small area on the forearm or leg to produce perspiration. Electrodes are jammed into the area.
- A weak electronic current, controlled by the electrodes, puts the chemical seeker into the skin. This can cause a small prickling or heat.
- The electrode is removed after about 5 minutes. The nurse sweats on the spot by tapping filter paper or mesh or using a plastic IUD.
- Sweat is collected for 30 minutes.
- Sweat samples are sent to the laboratory to be tested.
Some babies will not sweat enough for testing in one trial. If this occurs, the test is usually repeated on another day.

Do I need to prepare for the test?

No special measures are required for the sweat test, but it is not necessary to place creams or lotions on the skin 24 hours prior to the test.

Were there any risks associated with the test?

There are no general risks associated with sweat testing. The electrodes may cause a tingling or tickling sensation due to the electronic current, but there is no pain.

What do the results mean?

Chloride is measured in mmol/L (millimoles chloride per liter of sweat):
- A chloride content above 60 means that you or your baby is fasting, has cystic fibrosis To prove the diagnosis, your doctor may ask you to repeat the test or perform a genetic CF test.
- A chloride content of 30-59 means that more testing is needed because the test results are uncertain and CF probably is. The physician can order another sweat test or another type of test, such as a genetic test.
- A chloride content of less than 29 is considered normal. This means that it is unlikely that you or your baby has CF. However, normal test results do not rule out CF; some people with CF have normal test results with sweat. If you or your baby has signs of CF, or if your baby has had a screening test with a newborn that indicates the newborn has CF, you may need to do more research.
Is there anything else I should know about sweat testing?

Rarely, conditions other than CF can lead to high chloride levels on sweat tests. These conditions include hypothyroidism, renal diabetes mellitus, and Addison’s disease.

Supplied by MedlinePlus from the State Medical Library.

See also Urobilinogen in Urine
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