Cystic Fibrosis Center Pediatric and Adolescent Program

(732) 235-7899

Boy on dad's shoulders

At the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Center, we provide advanced, comprehensive treatment and disease management for infants, children and adolescents.

CF is a progressive, genetic disorder that can affect the lungs and make it difficult to breathe. It can also affect the pancreas, gastrointestinal system, sweat glands, and liver.

When your child is diagnosed with CF, your whole family begins a lifelong journey that may involve medical, psychosocial and financial challenges. Our multidisciplinary team of CF experts will partner with you and support you throughout the journey.

Why Choose Us?

The CF Center at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital (BMSCH) is fully accredited by the national Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF), and ranks among the top 10 U.S. centers for patient outcomes. We received Quality Care Awards from the CFF in 2012 and 2017 (based on a five-year site visit cycle).

BMSCH is part of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH). In partnership with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Rutgers Health, we comprise one of the premier academic medical centers in the United States. We provide state‐of‐the‐art care across a spectrum of specialties and access to the latest in CF research and clinical trials. We also offer a holistic approach to living with CF with support from our multidisciplinary team.

Established and led by nationally renowned medical director, Thomas F. Scanlin, MD, the CF Center emphasizes nutrition, education and family involvement. We promote preventive care and provide advanced treatments so our patients can move into adulthood with healthy lungs and bodies.

Our Multidisciplinary Team Approach

A multidisciplinary team of experts treats children with cystic fibrosis at BMSCHTo live well with a chronic disease like CF, your child needs a team of experts on their side. Our multidisciplinary team approach aims to address every aspect of patient care. The CF team includes:

  • Physicians
  • Psychologists
  • Nurse practitioners
  • Registered nurses
  • Respiratory therapists
  • Physical therapists
  • Nutritionists
  • Social workers
  • Pharmacists

We also work closely with physicians from specialty areas in the hospital including gastroenterology, endocrinology, infectious disease and interventional radiology to ensure comprehensive care.

Services We Provide

  • Consultation and teaching with parents who have a positive newborn screen
  • Comprehensive ambulatory and inpatient care
  • Evaluation and testing
  • Clinical management
  • Nutritional education and management
  • Counseling, case management and advocacy
  • Lifelong follow up care
  • Family education and support
  • Comprehensive education programs for families, community providers and other health care professionals on the care of CF patients

Common Medical Tests

  • Sweat testing
  • CF genetic testing, including 139-mutation panel and full gene sequencing
  • Pulmonary function testing
  • Pancreatic function testing
  • Diagnostic imaging, including x-ray, MRI, ultrasound and CT scans
  • Bone density scans
  • Routine and annual bloodwork
  • Oral glucose tolerance testing
  • Sputum culture
  • Bronchoscopy

Some of these tests are recommended annually, others as needed.

Learn more about these common outpatient medical tests for people with CF.

Transitioning to the Adult Program

The CF Center provides care for people of all ages. We diagnose and treat patients from infancy through adolescence in our pediatric and adolescent program, but as children with CF become adults, their care needs change. Medical conditions may become more complicated over time. Social concerns may grow to include employment, dating, marriage, care of a family, financial independence. To address these unique issues, we developed a program tailored for adults. At about 22 years of age, individuals with CF transition from our pediatric program into the adult program. Learn more about the CF Center adult program.

Family-Centered Care

CF is a lifelong disease that affects not just patients, but their families as well. We educate and support families throughout the patient’s journey. We also offer access to community resources and advocacy services to ensure that your child gets the best care, close to home. Read more about family-centered care at BMSCH.

We Listen to You

Our Family Advisory Council is a vital part of the center and is made up of patients’ family members. The Council offers observations, insights and recommendations for program quality improvement. To learn about joining the council, contact Erin McElroy Barker at mcelroer@rwjms.rutgers.edu.

Research

The CF Center is a designated center for the largest cystic fibrosis clinical trials network in the world -- the Cystic Fibrosis Therapeutics Development Network (TDN). The TDN brings together experts from across the United States to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new CF therapies. As part of the TDN, we are involved in multiple clinical trials to develop new drugs. Learn more about these clinical trials.

Learn More