ABSTRACT
SUMMARY BACKGROUND: The EPIC Observational Study is an ongoing prospective cohort study investigating risk factors for and clinical outcomes associated with early Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) acquisition in young children with cystic fibrosis (CF). OBJECTIVES AND HYPOTHESIS: To describe the baseline characteristics of the cohort and evaluate associations between potential risk factors and nutritional and respiratory characteristics at enrollment. We hypothesized that distinct demographic and environmental risk factors could be identified for poorer nutritional status and lung function at enrollment. METHODS: During 2004-2006, 1,700 children with CF were enrolled at 59 US CF centers. Children Subject(s)
Carrier State/microbiology
, Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator/genetics
, Cystic Fibrosis/genetics
, Pseudomonas Infections/genetics
, Pseudomonas aeruginosa/isolation & purification
, Respiratory Tract Infections/genetics
, Child
, Child, Preschool
, Cohort Studies
, Female
, Genotype
, Humans
, Male
, Nutritional Status
, Sputum/microbiology
