Why does an infant diagnosed with cystic fibrosis have episodes of crying after eating, poor weight gain, abdominal swelling, chest congestion and pneumonia?

 

Cystic fibrosis (also known as CF) is a chronic progressive health disorder which results in excessive mucus secretion in the body. Mucus is a slippery and watery fluid that is normally produced in different inner cell linings of our body. It coats the inner surface and offers protection from germs and bacteria. In the case of CF, the mucus produced is thicker and sticky. Excess mucus accumulates in the lungs, digestive organs and glands.

A particular gene alteration in the CF gene affects a protein (CFTR protein) and makes it dysfunctional. The normal gene which maintains the balance of salt and water in our body is affected resulting in secretion of thick sticky mucus and excessively salty sweat.

Pneumonia/breathing problems -

Due to excessive mucus build up in the body, it blocks airways, windpipe and lungs by clogging the tubes and obstructing the air channels. This causes difficulty in breathing and thereby chest congestion.

Furthermore, the mucus build-up traps germs and bacteria and serves as their breeding ground, leading to bacteria infections, inflammations, lung disorders and also pneumonia (disease caused by bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae)

Abdominal swelling -

Infants born with CF suffer from the disorder Meconium ileus caused by mucus build up in the gut resulting in obstruction of ileum (part of small intestine). Meconium is the first stool that the newborn egests. The stool of CF affected infants is thicker and stickier than normal Meconium. It cannot pass easily due to the blockage in the small intestine and this causes Abdominal distension or abdominal swelling.

Low weight gain -

Mucus also build up in the digestive system blocking pancreatic ducts and preventing the release of digestive enzymes. As we know pancreas secretes enzymes that help the body digest different macro-molecules such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Lack of pancreatic enzymes leads to poor digestion of food and poor absorption of nutrients. This results in malnutrition and poor weight gain.

Crying after eating -

Lack of proper digestive enzymes does not allow proper enzyme release from the stomach and liver as well. This hinders proper digestion in the stomach and infants experience stomach pain right after eating and this gives to their crying.