Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Care

Comprehensive care for pediatric cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease that causes the body to make thick mucus, leading to chronic lung infections, gastrointestinal issues and fatigue. Children with cystic fibrosis need lifelong care from a specialized, multi-expert care team.

At UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, we are fully equipped to provide the advanced monitoring and personalized treatments your child needs to feel their best and slow CF progression.

Certified by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and California Children's Services (CCS), our program meets the highest standards for CF care. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks our pulmonology program among the nation's best.

CF screening and diagnosis

We offer CF screening for newborns, infants and older children. Typically, a newborn screening identifies cystic fibrosis. However, the screening doesn't always catch CF, and some children start showing symptoms later.

For older children, we may recommend genetic testing and a sweat chloride test to confirm a CF diagnosis.

Complete care for CF

Cystic fibrosis may affect multiple body systems, including the respiratory and digestive tracts. To address all the symptoms, your child's care team includes experts in:

• Pulmonology

• Gastroenterology

• Respiratory therapy

• Physical therapy

• Nutrition

• Social work

We create treatment plans to manage the full range of CF symptoms and slow disease progression.

GI support for cystic fibrosis

CF often affects digestive function, leading to problems such as constipation, vitamin deficiencies, gallstones and liver disease.

Our pediatric gastroenterologists work closely with your child's pulmonologist to provide integrated care. Additionally, our cystic fibrosis dietitian helps your child meet their nutritional needs and manage digestive challenges.

Pioneering research

UCSF Health is a national leader in cystic fibrosis research and one of the country's only CF-dedicated research and development programs. The National Institutes of Health and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation help fund some of our CF-related projects, including the search for new treatments.

Due to advances in care, more children with CF are living into adulthood. We're proud to be part of that progress.