Sweat Chloride Test (cont.)
David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP
Dr. Perlstein received his Medical Degree from the University of Cincinnati and then completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at The New York Hospital, Cornell medical Center in New York City. After serving an additional year as Chief Pediatric Resident, he worked as a private practitioner and then was appointed Director of Ambulatory Pediatrics at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
In this Article
- What is the sweat chloride test?
- What is the aim of the sweat chloride test
- How is the sweat chloride test done?
- How long does the test take?
- What is done with the sweat?
- What are normal sweat chloride levels?
- What is the sweat chloride level in cystic fibrosis?
- What if the sweat chloride is intermediate (between normal and the usual cystic fibrosis levels)?
- Can a cystic fibrosis child have a normal sweat chloride level?
- Can the sweat chloride be high without having cystic fibrosis?
What is the aim of the sweat chloride test?
The goal of this test is to painlessly stimulate the patient's skin to produce a large enough amount of sweat which may then be absorbed by a special filter paper and analyzed for the content of chloride in the sweat. Patients with cystic fibrosis produce larger quantities of sweat chloride than normal individuals.
How is the sweat chloride test done?
To produce the necessary volume of sweat, a technique called iontophoresis is employed. The technique requires the application of a tiny (painless) electrical current that medically stimulates maximum sweat production.
The patient's forearm is commonly used. However, in small infants, the back may also serve as an appropriate area to perform this procedure.
How long does the test take?
The sweat chloride test usually takes about one-half to one hour.
What is done with the sweat?
The sweat is collected on a specialized filter paper. After determining that enough sweat has been collected to ensure test reliability, the amount of chloride in the sweat is measured. This is considered a specialized test, and not all institutions have experience with the techniques, and poor collection techniques can result in false negative results.
What are normal sweat chloride levels?
The normal sweat chloride values are 10-35 milliequivalents per liter.
What is the sweat chloride level in cystic fibrosis?
Patients with cystic fibrosis usually have a sweat chloride value greater than 60 milliequivalents per liter.
Next: What if the sweat chloride is intermediate (between normal and the usual cystic fibrosis levels)?
http://www.medicinenet.com/sweat_chloride_test/article.htm
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