Bronchiectasis in cystic fibrosis

Studies of infants identified by newborn screening for cystic fibrosis have shown that the pulmonary diseases start early, prior to the development of clinical symptoms. In this issue of The Journal, Stick et al from the Australian Respiratory Early Surveillance Team for Cystic Fibrosis (AREST CF) have studied bronchiectasis in young children with cystic fibrosis diagnosed by newborn screening. They found a prevalence of 22% which increased with age, so current treatment of infants with cystic fibrosis does not always prevent the development of permanent pulmonary sequalae. The authors propose that bronchiectasis would be a clinically relevant endpoint for future intervention trials in infants with cystic fibrosis.

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