LABORATORY RESULTS

Clinical laboratory results are very important parameter in diagnosis, monitoring and screening. 70-80%
of decisions in diagnosis are based on laboratory results and more laboratory analysis are requested.
The laboratory result must be interpreted on the background of a reference interval that is used to
distinguish between “health” and “disease”. The laboratory has certainly also a role and responsibility in
providing clinicians with adequate information that can assist them in correct interpretation of the data.
(Islin, 2018)

Sputum culture
A sputum culture is a test that checks for bacteria or another type of organism that may be causing an
infection in the child’s lungs or the airways leading to the lungs. This test is done on the material that is
coughed up from the lungs and into the mouth.

PURPOSE REFERENCE VALUE ABNORMAL FINDINGS

A sputum culture is
often done to find
out if a type of
organism that cause
infection is present in
the lungs.
- Color – Clear Yellowish-green sputum is positive to patient
(white/gray) – with cystic fibrosis and higher percentage of
Negative bacteria present in sputum is positive. Abnormal
- No growth or positive result indicates that potentially
(50%) harmful bacteria or fungi were detected.

Chest X-rays
These exams use special x-ray equipment and computers to produce detailed images of the inside of the
lungs or intestines. These images can help determine the severity of cystic fibrosis by looking for
abnormal mucus and for dilated airways in the lungs. Normal chest X-ray shows normal size and shape
of the chest wall and the main structures in the chest. The images show the parts of your body in
different shades of black and white. This is because different tissues absorb different amounts of
radiation. Calcium in bones absorb x-rays the most, so bones look white. Fat and other soft tissues
absorb less and look gray. Air absorbed the least, so lungs look black.

Stool evaluation

PURPOSE REFERENCE VALUE ABNORMAL FINDINGS

These are done to
measure the amount
of fat in a stool
sample.
- 2 to 7 grams over Higher than the normal range of fat in stools
a 24-hour period indicate malabsorption or the food does not
- 21 grams over digest properly. Patient with cystic fibrosis has
72-hour period thick mucus that block the tubes that carry
digestive enzymes from pancreas to small
intestine.
Pulmonary function test
Pulmonary function tests (PFT) measure both the capacity (size) of the lungs and how well the air flows
in and out of the lungs. 

PURPOSE REFERENCE VALUE ABNORMAL FINDINGS

Pulmonary function test tests
the capacity of the lungs that
has been blocked up by
mucus.
- FEV/FVC ratio of greater
than 0.70
- FEV and FVC equal or
greater than 80%
- TLC above 80%
- Diffusion capacity above
75% 
When compared to the
reference value, a lower
measured value corresponds to
a more severe lung abnormality.
Lung disease in CF patients is
essentially obstructive.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

OGTT is a blood test that measures how your body removes glucose (a kind of sugar) from the blood.
Insulin is made in the pancreas and it helps change glucose into energy for your body.

PURPOSE REFERENCE VALUE ABNORMAL FINDINGS

Oral glucose tolerance test - <100 (5.6) Fasting Plasma Oral glucose tolerance of 140–
may confirm that the Glucose mg/dl (mmol/l) 199 (7.8–11.1) which is higher
pancreas is still functioning - <140 (7.8) 2-Hour OGTT than the normal value indicates
or not because of the mucus Glucose mg/dl (mmol/l) impaired glucose intolerance.
blocked up in the small tubes
that transports enzymes out
of the pancreas.

References:

Moran A, Billings J, Dunitz J, Kempainen R, Nathan B, Saeed A, Holme B, Thomas W. Cystic fibrosis
related diabetes: modern trends in prevalence, incidence and mortality. Diabetes Care.  2009;32:1626–
1631. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3856892/?
fbclid=IwAR3xGpHVk_xJFuwikNaURcHy472J52HFU8uiFWhQp7x4vKsKgV2sT3Eleos

Moran A. Updates on CFRD guidelines. Pediatric Pulmonology Suppl.  2009;32:208–209. Retrieved from

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3856892/?
fbclid=IwAR3xGpHVk_xJFuwikNaURcHy472J52HFU8uiFWhQp7x4vKsKgV2sT3Eleos

Sputum culture. (2020, December). National Library Of Medicine. Retrieved from

https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/sputum-culture/?fbclid=IwAR1A_-
C6fH9qkxMyIcH0hjPL0MmbR0OOSyAidOCtUhLOjZ4-niz5tR9BnrA
Ewa, S. (2020, February). [Range of the normal values for induced sputum cells in Silesian population].
National Center For Biotechnology Information. Retrieved from
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16756144/

Raghad, A. (2021, December). A retrospective study of cases diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at a single
care center in Syria. Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics 22(1) DOI:10.1186/s43042-021-00178-
5. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352567971_A_retrospective_study_of_cases_diagnosed_wit
h_cystic_fibrosis_at_a_single_care_center_in_Syria