Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common of the serious inherited disorders present in children.
It can occur in all races. Children who have cystic fibrosis are born with the disorder, but often do not show visible signs of disease for weeks, months, or even years. In this disorder there are abnormal amounts of salt in body secretions, especially in the lungs and pancreas. In some people, the signs appear mainly in the lungs. In the lungs, airways become blocked and have too many bacteria.