How do cystic fibrosis patients experience parenthood? A systematic review

Improved treatments for cystic fibrosis allow more patients to become parents. This article presents a systematic review of literature on cystic fibrosis patients' experience of parenthood. Five databases (Cairn, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, PubMed and ScienceDirect) produced 2335 documents that were screened. In total, 13 documents were retained and assessed with validated criteria. Five themes related to cystic fibrosis parenthood were discovered: population presentation, health and treatment adherence, adjustments, role of professionals and pressured temporality. Parenthood requires an important reorganisation of daily life in order to remain capable of childcare. Regardless of negative health impacts, cystic fibrosis parents have a positive outlook on parenthood.

Automated summary

Improved treatments for cystic fibrosis have enabled more patients to become parents. A systematic review of literature found that parenthood for cystic fibrosis patients requires significant reorganization of daily life but is generally viewed positively, despite negative health impacts.