Which inherited disease causes thick secretions in the lungs and digestive system and is typically diagnosed in childhood?

Which inherited disease causes thick secretions in the lungs and digestive system and is typically diagnosed in childhood?

• A. Diabetes Mellitus
• B. Dementia
• C. Myocardial Infarction
• D. Cystic Fibrosis

Answer: (D)

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the CFTR gene that disrupt chloride transport, leading to thick, sticky secretions in multiple organs. In the lungs, this mucus blocks airways and sets up recurrent infections, while in the digestive system it can obstruct pancreatic ducts, causing malabsorption and growth issues often noticed in childhood. It’s inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, so a child typically shows symptoms early and is diagnosed through tests like the sweat chloride test and genetic testing, sometimes detected by newborn screening. The other conditions don’t produce this combination of thick secretions in both the lungs and digestive tract or the early childhood onset, so they don’t fit the symptom pattern described.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the CFTR gene that disrupt chloride transport, leading to thick, sticky secretions in multiple organs. In the lungs, this mucus blocks airways and sets up recurrent infections, while in the digestive system it can obstruct pancreatic ducts, causing malabsorption and growth issues often noticed in childhood. It’s inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, so a child typically shows symptoms early and is diagnosed through tests like the sweat chloride test and genetic testing, sometimes detected by newborn screening. The other conditions don’t produce this combination of thick secretions in both the lungs and digestive tract or the early childhood onset, so they don’t fit the symptom pattern described.