Cystic fibrosis in a Chinese girl.

A four year old Chinese girl of parents who emigrated to Singapore 
from South China was found to be suffering from bronchiectasis as 
a result of repeated chest infections, and failure to thrive. Investigations 
confirmed the bronchiectasis, and, in the course of attempting to elucidate 
the course, sweat Cl and sweat Na were found to be 
raised. The patient occasionally passed soft bulky stools and the Vitamin 
A absorption test was abnormal. The pathogenesis, problems in diagnosis and 
the genetics are briefly reviewed. This is the first proved case 
of cystic fibrosis occurring in a child of pure Chinese stock, 
and the first to be described in South-East Asia. Cystic fibrosis 
occurring in non-Caucasians in reviewed. 