Differential diagnosis of complications of cystic fibrosis

• Meconium ileus (complicated, uncomplicated)
• Bronchiectasis
• Pulmonary infection
• Pulmonary hemorrhage
• Cirrhosis
• Pancreatic insufficiency
• Distal intestinal obstruction syndrome

Approach to the differential diagnosis of complications of cystic fibrosis:

• Uncomplicated meconium ileus is a common presentation of cystic fibrosis
• Pulmonary infection as patients are colonized by Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonous aeruginosa (most common)
• Bronchiectasis is a result of bacterial colonization
• Pulmonary hemorrhage from bronchial artery hypertrophy caused by infection as focal infection can erode into artery
• Cirrhosis from fatty infiltration
• Distal intestinal obstruction syndrome can be presumed when a patient with cystic fibrosis presents with abdominal pain and stool in their distal small bowel