Multicenter Surveillance of Cystic Fibrosis in Korean Children

A Case Report of the First Filipino Infant Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis through the Philippine Newborn Screening Program

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a rare condition among Asians and has not been reported in the Philippines as of this time. The inclusion of this disease in the Philippines' Expanded Newborn Screening Program (ENBS) has provided this Filipino family the opportunity of early detection and appropriate management of this condition that could ensure the survival of the proband and his other surviving siblings. Here we present a case of a 24-month-old male who had a positive Expanded Newborn Screening (ENBS) test for cystic fibrosis and eventually underwent further tests to confirm a homozygous deletion of exons 1 - 2 of the CFTR gene. He subsequently had recurrent pneumonia but is being managed by a team consisting of a pulmonologist, gastroenterologist, and a metabolic dietitian. The proband had an older sibling whose Newborn Screening (NBS) test was normal and who eventually expired from recurrent bouts of pneumonia. This sibling was never managed as a case of cystic fibrosis. Implications on the diagnosis and management of CF in the local setting is also discussed. The importance of an appropriate CF panel customized to the local population should be reiterated and carrier testing should be encouraged to help with proper family counseling for future pregnancies for the family involved.

Clinical and Imaging Features of Cystic Fibrosis in Korean Children

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a fatal hereditary disorder that primarily affects Caucasians and is rare in Asian populations, including Koreans. Diagnosing CF is often challenging and delayed owing to its rarity and its overlapping features with non-CF diseases, ultimately affecting the patient prognosis. Radiologists can provide initial clues for clinically unsuspected cases and play a crucial role in establishing an early childhood diagnosis. This pictorial essay reviews the clinical and imaging features of genetically confirmed CF in Korean children and increases awareness of this rare disease, thereby facilitating early diagnosis.