A review of cystic fibrosis children born to single mothers.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between single parents and the health of their children with cystic fibrosis. Seventy-five children aged between 0.8 and 6.0 y were identified from our patient register; 20 of these children came from single parent families. Socioeconomic profiles were collated for each family. Retrospective medical data including, gene mutation analysis, were recorded from the hospital notes of all 75 patients. Maternal health was assessed by means of the General Health Questionnaire (28-item version). The results show that maternal age of < or = 19 y and lone parenthood were associated with higher morbidity in CF patients <6 y of age. Predicted values of the Shwachman score being lower by 4.1 and 4.3 points, respectively. A declining Shwachman score of 1.1 points/y was associated with increasing patient's age. In addition, analysis showed that the CF children of teenage mothers were 16 times more likely to have admission rates of > or = 1/y. Single mothers experienced more stress-related symptoms than those from the married group. We concluded that the young CF children of single or teenage mothers have a significantly worse clinical progress and consequently have a higher demand for hospital services. Clearly this population requires extra clinical vigilance and social support.