Sweat testing for the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis: Practical considerations

• Published in: The Journal of pediatrics Vol. 129; no. 6; pp. 892 - 897
• Main Author: LeGrys, Vicky A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01.12.1996; Elsevier
• Subjects: Arm; Biological and medical sciences; Chlorides - analysis; Cystic Fibrosis - diagnosis; Electric Conductivity; False Negative Reactions; False Positive Reactions; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Leg; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Medical sciences; Methods; Other diseases. Semiology; Quality Control; Reproducibility of Results; Sodium - analysis; Sweat - chemistry; Sweat - physiology; QPIT; CF; QNS; Human; Evaluation; Sweat test; Respiratory disease; Metabolic diseases; Cystic fibrosis; Genetic disease; Sensitivity; Digestive diseases; Diagnosis; Reliability; Child; Pancreatic disease
• ISSN: 0022-3476; 1097-6833
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-3476(96)70034-3

Most pediatricians eventually encounter a patient with a clinical presentation that warrants the consideration of a sweat test to rule out or confirm the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. This article discusses, in a series of questions and answers, the currently available sweat testing methods and describes the various methods' reliability, limitations, and frequency of use. In addition, sweat testing utilization and the interpretation and evaluation of test results are discussed so that the clinician can critically analyze the laboratory data. (J Pediatr 1996;129:892-7)