Nutritional Issues in Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract

The importance of maintaining adequate nutrition in patients with cystic fibrosis has been well known for the past 3 decades. Achieving normal growth and maintaining optimal nutrition is associated with improved lung function. Comprehensive and consistent nutritional assessments at regular intervals can identify those at risk of nutritional failure and uncover micronutrient deficiencies contributing to malnutrition. Management of malnutrition in cystic fibrosis should follow a stepwise approach to determine the causes and comorbidities and to develop a nutritional plan. Nutritional management is crucial at every stage in a person's life with cystic fibrosis and remains a cornerstone of management.

Keywords: Cystic fibrosis; Cystic fibrosis–related diabetes; Enteral nutrition; Malabsorption; Malnutrition; Nutritional assessment; Nutritional status; Pancreatic insufficiency.