Cystic fibrosis is a chronic disease that affects more than 30,000 infants, toddlers, children and adults throughout the United States, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. This inherited condition is the result of a gene mutation that causes the body to overproduce mucus. A toddler who develops any of the classic symptoms of cystic fibrosis should receive further evaluation and care from a medical professional as soon as possible. Without treatment, cystic fibrosis can be fatal.
Coughing or Difficulty Breathing
High levels of mucus within the lungs can cause symptoms of coughing or breathing difficulties in toddlers with cystic fibrosis. During coughing episodes, which frequently occur in the morning upon waking, affected toddlers may cough up phlegm or mucus, explains DrGreene.com, a pediatric health information website. Mucus in a toddler's airways due to cystic fibrosis can prevent air from flowing into the lungs normally. As a result, affected toddlers may begin to wheeze or experience shortness of breath. These long-lasting classic symptoms of cystic fibrosis in toddlers can be severe and may interfere with a toddler's ability to participate in physical activities such as playing on the playground.
Salty Skin
Toddlers with cystic fibrosis produce sweat that contains unusually high levels of salt. As a result, a toddler's skin can taste abnormally salty when a parent, caregiver or sibling kisses the toddler's cheek, explains KidsHealth, a children's health information website supported by the Nemours Foundation.
Recurrent Infections
Bacteria that becomes trapped in the thick, sticky mucus within the respiratory tract can be difficult for a toddler's body to clear away. As a result, toddlers with cystic fibrosis can experience recurrent nasal or lung infections, such as sinusitis or pneumonia, as classic symptoms of this disease, explains Dr.Greene.com. Toddlers who develop frequent nasal congestion, chronic cough, fever or breathing difficulties should be evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible.
Poor Weight Gain
Excess mucus can also accumulate along a toddler's digestive tract. When this occurs, the mucus can interfere with the body's ability to absorb nutrients and vitamins from the food a toddler consumes. As a result, toddlers with cystic fibrosis can experience difficulty gaining weight normally, explain medical experts with the National Heart Lung Blood Institute, a division of the National Institutes of Health. Poor weight gain and growth can weaken a toddler's body, making it more susceptible to infection.
Stool Abnormalities
Toddlers with cystic fibrosis have difficulty absorbing fats and vitamins from the food that they eat. As a result, their stools contain unusually high levels of these substances. Fatty stools can appear unusually greasy or large, and can be difficult for a toddler to pass normally, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation explains. Toddlers who develop stool abnormalities due to cystic fibrosis can also experience stomach pain, cramping or bloating.
