Home care for CF patients.

Nearly all agree that home therapy, which permits cystic fibrosis children to 
lead nearly normal lives, is desirable. Between hospital visits, it's also 
essential for warding off the primary threats of CF: pulmonary insufficiency 
and cor pulmonale. Treatment is palliative, focusing on supplying enzymes that 
the body can't secrete and, when the lungs are involved, clearing 
airway obstructions. The first step in therapy is starting the child 
on supplemental enzymes, which will enable him to absorb fat and 
protein. Usually we encourage a normal diet. If X-rays, pulmonary function 
tests, or clinical observation shows lung involvement, we initiate pulmonary therapy 
and teach parents how to perform it at home. Postural drainage 
is continued indefinitely, even if the lungs clear. If the child 
shows clinical signs of infection, we instruct the parents to increase 
the number of active mist and postural drainage treatments and to 
administer oral antibiotics in high doses. Above all, we instruct the 
parents of CF children to treat them as normally as possible. 
