People with cystic fibrosis have a higher risk of developing diabetes. We call this cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD). The health situation of these people is vulnerable. High blood sugar levels mean they lose weight or have compromised growth, suffer from infections more often, have a lesser condition, their long-function worsens, they suffer from thirst and need to pee more often. For this reason, children with cystic fibroses are regularly tested for CFRD from the age of ten years.

Having CFRD means it is always necessary to inject insulin. But the dietary advice differs from people with other types of diabetes. People with cystic fibrosis need energy-rich nutrition. This means that their insulin demand has to be adjusted to their diet instead of the other way around. Diabeter has the specific knowledge to give these patients the best possible treatment. We work in close collaboration with the cystic fibrosis team in the Sophia Childrens’ Hospital/Erasmus MC in Rotterdam.