Any soon to be parent wants nothing more than for their child to be healthy. Unfortunately, for too many parents, this dream is shattered by a myriad of disease and ailments. One of these is cystic fibrosis. In this article, you will find nine of the top warning signs that may indicate cystic fibrosis. While most of the time symptoms present themselves within the first year of life, in certain cases they may not show up until much later.

1. Diarrhea That Refuses To Go Away – Everyone has bouts of diarrhea throughout the course of their lives, and infants and toddlers are no different. Diarrhea can be dangerous though if not gotten under control in a reasonable amount of time, especially in infants and children. If your child has had diarrhea for some time that is not responding to fluid intake, this is a reason to go to the doctor.
2. Foul-Smelling Stools – Yes, of course, no-one’s stool smells like the proverbial rose. But, if you are noticing consistently extra-foul smells from your child’s diaper, make sure you get him or her looked at.
3. Greasy Stools – A baby’s bowel movements can vary from every color of the spectrum at times it seems like – I know I discovered a few new colors when my daughter was that age! It is not normal, however, for them to have greasy looking stools.
4. Frequent Wheezing Episodes – Anytime your child, or yourself for that matter, has problems breathing, this should raise flags. Make sure to make an appointment as soon as possible. If breathing becomes seriously labored or you notice a bluish tint around the lips, get to the nearest emergency room, as this signifies a lack of oxygen in the blood stream.
5. Frequent Episodes of Pneumonia – This is one of those that can be scary for anyone suffering from it. With it’s signature symptom of fluid build-up in the lungs, this is never something that anyone should try to self-medicate for. It can be especially detrimental to the very young or very old, or those already in poor health or suffering from another condition.
6. Persistent Cough – A persistent cough should always be evaluated by a health care professional to rule out any underlying causes. This can be anything from a simple bug or minor bronchitis to more serious issues like asthma and cystic fibrosis.
7. Skin That Tastes Like Salt -While there is a natural salty taste to one’s skin – that’s why cat’s like licking their humans so much – an overly salty taste can actually be a symptom of more serious issues.
8. Poor Growth – Everyone wants their child to be healthy and grow normally. Well baby check-ups are especially important for number eight. While everyone is different, babies in general grow at a fairly regular rate and your doctor can let you know if your little one is on track and if not, perform tests to find out why.
9. Chronic Sinus Infections – This goes along with breathing issues – while it could be something as simple as allergies, chronic sinus infections should always be evaluated to rule out anything serious.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your child, chances are you have taken them to the doctor already. If not, and especially if you have noticed more than one symptom, get them in as soon as you can so they can rule out cystic fibrosis. After all, better safe than sorry is never more true than when it is about someone you love as much as your child.