Pregnancy and delivery in cystic fibrosis

: The authors report about the course of pregnancy and delivery in two patients with cystic fibrosis. Epidemiology and clinical symptoms of cystic fibrosis, possible problems anticipated during pregnancy, delivery and puerperium in patients with cystic fibrosis, and questions concerning therapeutic abortion and contraceptive counseling are discussed. Important premises to the management of pregnancy and delivery in cystic fibrosis have to be: (1) adequate pre- and postpartal diagnosis and therapy of pulmonary and/or cardiac disease, (2) careful management of nutrition, control of pancreatic insufficiency and electrolyte balance, (3) exclusion of maternal diabetes mellitus, (4) sonographic measurements to supervise the development of the fetus, (5) adequate management of delivery, (6) monitoring of puerperium with regard to maternal cystic fibrosis, (7) exclusion of cystic fibrosis in the newborn.