Diploma Thesis THE IMMEDIATE INFLUENCE OF OSTEOPATHIC ...

2.1.3.3 THE CF INTESTINES 16
The intestine – usually a problem in infants, more rarely in adults.
The biggest problems concerning the intestines usually are a meconium ileus (failure
to pass the first stools (meconium) due to an obstruction of the terminal ileum) in
newborns, and a meconium ileus equivalent syndrome (distal intestinal obstruction
syndrome or DIOS) or a rectum prolapse (the lining of the rectum pushes out through
the anus), which are common in infants and small children. These symptoms often
are the first indicators for CF.
The most important clinical findings and hints from the case history pointing towards
DIOS are: alternating stool consistency, a bloated abdomen which is sensitive to
touch, abdominal pain and vomiting.
In childhood and as adults CF patients often suffer from chronic constipation. In CF
patients who have a persistent anaemia, failure to thrive (FTT) and frequent
diarrhoea despite an adequate enzyme supplementation and nutrient supply the
additional diagnosis of coeliac disease should be considered. Coeliac disease can
also be a first hint pointing towards CF.
Chronic inflammatory diseases of the intestines like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s
disease occur frequently in CF patients.
The risk for a CF patient to develop a malign carcinoma in the gastrointestinal tract is
about 6.5 times higher than in the comparable healthy population group.
16 Reinhardt et al., 2001, p.382-396
Diploma Thesis Sabine Neuhaus page 13 of 52