Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition that affects a child’s lungs and digestive tract. This can lead to problems with nutrition and growth. The Cystic Fibrosis Program at Riley at IU Health is highly experienced in working with children and families living with cystic fibrosis.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update for our Patients in the Cystic Fibrosis Program
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update for our Patients in the Cystic Fibrosis Program
Events surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation are continually changing and much remains unknown. However, we want to provide you with the most current status of things at the Cystic Fibrosis Program at Riley Children’s Health.
Current Mask Recommendations
The CF Foundation supports the current recommendations made by the CDC. The CDC updated masking guidance, adopting a three-tiered framework — low, medium, and high.
The level is based on the number of new cases per 100,000, the number of new hospital admissions per 100,000, and the percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 cases, all three metrics based on the previous 7 days. The agency does not recommend masks for those living in communities in the low-level category. Indoor masking (including schools) is recommended for those living in communities in the high-level category.
People who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease should speak with their health care provider about masking in communities at the low or medium-community level.
At all levels, people can wear a mask based on personal preference, informed by their personal level of risk. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
Although school systems have removed masking mandates, many children with CF are uncomfortable attending school without a mask because of health concerns. You can also refer to CF and School During COVID-19 for general information and additional downloadable resources.
COVID-19 community levels by county can be found on the CDC website.
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
Our team is excited about the EUA for COVID-19 vaccination for children 5-11 years of age and we highly recommend vaccination. This is an important step to protecting all children, and especially those with higher risk factors for hospitalization with severe COVID-19 infection. The dose provided is one-third that of the adolescent/adult dose and was shown to be equally as protective with no serious or life-threatening side effects. We encourage you to schedule your child’s vaccination with their PCP if available, by calling 211 or finding a site online.
Our clinic will be offering vaccination and can provide a first or second dose at the time of your scheduled visit, please let the nurse know when you are being roomed if you are interested. Your provider will be able to answer any of your questions or concerns at the time of your clinic visit. We also encourage you to visit the AAP update on COVID-19 vaccination in 5-11 yo age group for additional FAQs.
Holiday Information
Find the latest from the CF Foundation about how you and your family can safely celebrate the holidays this fall and winter.
January 2022
The Riley CF Center has been receiving many calls about children with CF either exposed to, or infected with, COVID-19. Cases of COVID-19 in Indiana are at an all-time high, corresponding to the new, more infectious, omicron variant. In order to keep your child and family safe, healthy, and to avoid missing school and/or work, continue to wear masks in public, obtain vaccines and boosters when eligible, and avoid large crowds or gatherings when possible.
Please see the following most up to date guidelines regarding booster doses of vaccination for children ages 12-15.
You can schedule your child’s vaccination with their Primary Care Provider if available, by calling 211, or finding a site online as directed below. If you want the dose given at their upcoming CF appointment, please contact our clinic in advance through the My IU Health portal or phone call so we can be prepared.
CF Foundation Virtual Town Hall
Additional Resources
Returning to School
- Tips from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on how to handle being back at school.
Maintaining Emotional Wellness
- A resource on emotional wellness from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on how to manage school and daily care routines.
Potential Mental Health and Research Opportunities
- Flyers for research projects to help teens and caregivers dealing with stress or anxiety.
The bodies of children with CF produce a thick, sticky mucus that clogs the airways in the lungs and leads to serious lung infections. This mucus also affects the esophagus, stomach and intestines which can cause poor nutrition and growth.
Our medical team uses a multidisciplinary approach. Doctors and other medical professionals who work in the Cystic Fibrosis Program are specialists in gastroenterology, pulmonology, nursing, nutrition, respiratory therapy, social work, pharmacy and genetic counseling.
The Cystic Fibrosis Program at Riley at IU Health works with children and families from Indiana as well as other states. The Cystic Fibrosis Center at Riley at IU Health is the only pediatric center accredited by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in the state of Indiana and one of 115 care centers in the United States. Treatment of CF continues to advance as the Cystic Fibrosis Program at Riley at IU Health and other centers partner with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to improve care and the quality of life for patients.
Many children with CF live well into adulthood—today people with CF are expected to survive to an average age of 38. At Riley at IU Health, we work with children and their families to move the child into an adult program. This planned preparation includes:
- At age 12, the CF team will address all questions directly to the child. Parents can go into the exam room with their child or children.
- By age 14, each child will be seen by his or her healthcare team without the parent. The CF doctor meets with parents to review the plan and answer questions.
- Between the ages of 18 to 20, patients will begin care with the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program.
At Riley at IU Health, the health results data for our Cystic Fibrosis Program is reported to the public. Data for all CF centers can be found at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation website. The goal of this effort is to accelerate the quality of care and improve the relationship between patients, families and the care center.
Cystic Fibrosis e-Newsletter
Sign up today for our quarterly e-newsletter to get up-to-date information for your child or loved one with cystic fibrosis. To read archived articles from past newsletters, visit the Riley Children's Health Connections Blog.
Conditions & Services
Conditions Treated
We treat most Cystic Fibrosis conditions. Below is more information about some, but not all, of the conditions that we treat.
Services Offered
We offer a number of different Cystic Fibrosis services. Below are some, but not all, of the services that we provide. If you have a question about a specific service that is not listed here, please contact our program.
Doctors
and Locations
Doctors
Services and care provided through the Cystic Fibrosis Program are coordinated through our specialized pediatric gastroenterology and pulmonology doctors.
Locations
Locations
In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.
Riley Pediatric Pulmonology & Respiratory Care
575 Riley Hospital Dr
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Program Forms & Resources
Program Forms & Resources
The Cystic Fibrosis Program at Riley at IU Health provides the following forms for parents, healthcare providers and personnel. We have also curated relevant resources from other websites and provided links with brief descriptions of the information that is available.
Forms
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What To Do When Your Child Is Sick (Riley at IU Health)
This handout provides helpful information for parents.
Resources
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This foundation researches and develops new medicines to fight CF, improve the quality of life for those with CF and ultimately find a cure. Call the Indiana Chapter at 317.202.9210.
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The Center for Youth & Adults With Conditions of Childhood
The CYACC provides transition consultation, education and care coordination across all diagnoses. The team works with children and their families to create a portable medical summary and transition plan.
Related Departments
Related Departments
We provide multispecialty care for a number of conditions. Below are links to our related departments.
Related Stories
Related Stories
Kids with cystic fibrosis escape worst of COVID
Chronic illness in a child takes a toll on the entire family, but staying in a “bubble” at home has meant no hospitalizations for an Indianapolis third-grader.
Continue readingHealth Professionals
For Health Professionals
The specialists at the Cystic Fibrosis Program at Riley at IU Health work closely with referring physicians from across Indiana. Program physicians are actively involved in research to find better treatments they can use to care for patients. Our team also plays a role in training medical residents and fellows.
Refer A Patient
Riley at IU Health works with referring physicians in Indiana and beyond.
Refer A PatientEducation
The physicians at the Cystic Fibrosis Program at Riley at IU Health serve as faculty who help train medical residents and fellows.