Cystic fibrosis is a genetic (inherited) disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in organs. The most conclusive testing for cystic fibrosis is the sweat test, which measures the amount of chloride in the body’s sweat. This article discussed details of the sweat test.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic (inherited) disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in organs, including the lungs and the pancreas. Other organs that are affected by CF include the liver, sinuses, intestines and sex organs.
In a healthy person, mucus that lines organs and body cavities, such as the lungs and the sinuses, is slippery and watery. In people with CF, the mucus becomes thick and clogs the airways, which makes it difficult to breathe.
CF is a chronic (long-lasting) and progressive (gets worse over time) condition. Children with CF may have one or more of the following symptoms:
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Doctors diagnose CF by a thorough evaluation and with different tests, including genetic tests, chest and sinus X-rays, and lung function tests.
The most conclusive testing for CF is the sweat test, which measures the amount of chloride in the body’s sweat. (Salt is made up of chloride and sodium.) People who have CF have higher levels of chloride in their sweat because chloride is unable to move in or out of the body’s cells, which is what causes it to build up.
A sweat test is usually done if a child may be at risk for inheriting CF, or if he or she is showing symptoms. The test might also be ordered for the child’s siblings to see if they also have inherited the gene and might be at risk for passing the gene along to their children.
People of any age can have a sweat test, although newborn babies may not be able to make enough sweat to complete the test in the first days of life. Therefore, the sweat test in babies is usually done when the child is between two and four weeks old.
In the test, a healthcare provider spreads a chemical called pilocarpine on the skin of child’s arm or leg. The provider then applies a small amount of electric stimulation so that the sweat glands will produce sweat. The test does not use a needle and is not painful, though the patient may feel a slight tingling in the arm or leg being tested.
Next, the provider collects the sweat in a plastic coil or on a piece of filter paper or gauze. If filter paper is used, it is weighed before and after the test to measure the amount of sweat collected. The sample is then sent to a lab to measure the amount of chloride. This part of the test lasts approximately 30 minutes.
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If the child has CF, the sweat test will show that he or she has a higher-than-normal level of chloride. In terms of measurement, if the child’s chloride level is:
You do not have to limit your child’s diet, activities or medications before a sweat test. Don’t put any creams or lotions on your child’s skin before the test.
Last reviewed on 02/14/2019.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy