CHRONIC METABOLIC ALKALOSIS - NOT UNCOMMON IN YOUNG-CHILDREN WITH SEVERE CYSTIC-FIBROSIS

The acid-base balance of 199 patients with cystic fibrosis, seen from 1987 through 1992 at the Bern Outpatient Clinic, were evaluated. Simpl e metabolic alkalosis was demonstrated in 16 and mixed metabolic alkal osis and respiratory acidosis in 9 patients. When compared with 10 pat ients with simple respiratory acidosis and 16 with normal hydrogen ion balance, those with simple metabolic alkalosis were significantly you nger. The need for pancreatic enzymes was significantly higher and the relative underweight significantly more severe in patients with eithe r simple or mixed metabolic alkalosis and respiratory acidosis. The re sults indicate the rather common occurrence of chronic metabolic alkal osis in cystic fibrosis. It is observed in young patients, in patients who need high doses of pancreatic enzymes and in those with poor nutr itional status.