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Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-threatening autosomal-recessive disease affecting Caucasians in the western world. The sweat test is the main diagnostic test for CF. It is indicated as part of the clinical assessment for infants that have picked up on the national neonatal screening programme. It may also be requested where clinical suspicion of a diagnosis of CF exists despite normal screening results. This article outlines the physiological basis behind sweat testing and the technical aspects of performing the test. Indications for performing the test are also considered. The article aims to provide clinicians with a guide to interpretation of results.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between single parents and the health of their children with cystic fibrosis. Seventy‐five children aged between 0.8 and 6.0 y were identified from our patient register; 20 of these children came from single parent families. Socioeconomic profiles were collated for each family. Retrospective medical data including, gene mutation analysis, were recorded from the hospital notes of all 75 patients. Maternal health was assessed by means of the General Health Questionnaire (28‐item version). The results show that maternal age of ≤19y and lone parenthood were associated with higher morbidity in CF patients <6y of age. Predicted values of the Shwachman score being lower by 4.1 and 4.3 points, respectively. A declining Shwachman score of 1.1 points/y was associated with increasing patient's age. In addition, analysis showed that the CF children of teenage mothers were 16 times more likely to have admission rates of ≥1/y. Single mothers experienced more stress‐related symptoms than those from the married group. We concluded that the young CF children of single or teenage mothers have a significantly worse clinical progress and consequently have a higher demand for hospital services. Clearly this population requires extra clinical vigilance and social support.

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