Sweat test information
Your doctor has requested a sweat test for your child. Th
consistantly underweight, have loose stools or have repe
A sweat test is performed to see whether or not your child h
amount of salt (sodium chloride) in their sweat. A high salt co
Child health information factsheet
Cystic fibrosis
Sweat test
Cystic fibrosis is a condition that affects one in every 2,500 ch
of a thicker, stickier consistency. This can cause chest infectio
Sweat test information
The test
Information
for
patients,
parents
guardians
The sweat test isand
performed
in the children’s outpatient depa
Your doctor has requested a sweat test for your child. This is usually done on children who are
to use the equipment.
consistantly
loosechild
stools
orahave
repeated
infections.
Your doctor underweight,
has requestedhave
that your
has
sweat
test. Thischest
is usually
done on children who are
consistently underweight, have loose stools or have repeated
chest
infections.
Please tell the nurse before the test if your child is taking any
A sweat test is performed to see whether or not your child has cystic fibrosis. This is done by measuring the
The testofis salt
used
to findchloride)
out whether
orsweat.
not your
childsalt
hascontent
cystic can
fibrosis.
It works
measuring the
amount
(sodium
in their
A high
indicate
cysticby
fibrosis.
may salt
be useful
to can
bringindicate
your child’s
favourite
amount of salt (sodium chloride) in your child's sweat. AIthigh
content
cystic
fibrosis.toy and a drink
for more than an hour during the test.
Cystic fibrosis
What is cystic fibrosis?
arm isThe
prepared
andcauses
two gel
pads
are placed
Cystic fibrosis is a condition that affects one in every 2,500 The
children.
condition
their
mucus
to be on to the a
Cystic
fibrosis
is a condition
onechest
in every
2,500 and/or
children.
The condition
their
mucus
of
a thicker,
stickier
consistency.that
Thisaffects
can cause
infections
problems
with the causes
digestion
of food.
to be of a thicker, stickier consistency. This can cause chest infections and/or problems with the
digestion of food.
The test
The sweat test is performed in the children’s outpatient department by one of the nurses who are trained
The
to
usetest
the equipment.
The test is performed by a specially trained nurse in the children’s outpatient department.
Please tell the nurse before the test if your child is taking any medication as this can change the results.
Please tell the nurse before the test if your child is taking any medication as this can change the results.
It may be useful to bring your child’s favourite toy and a drink with you as you may be in the department
It may be useful to bring your child’s favourite toy and a drink with you as you may be in the
for more than an hour during the test.
department for more than an hour during the test.
The pads are connected to a small metal box, which makes t
between
pads. After about five minutes the gel p
The arm is prepared and two gel pads are placed on to the charge
arm using
Velcrothe
straps.
Thepads
arm are
is prepared
and
gelmetal
pads box,
are which makesThe
are connected
a small
metal box,
The
connected
to two
a small
the pads
arm sweat
by passingto
a low
electrical
placedbetween
on to thethe
arm
using
Velcro
makes
the arm
charge
pads.
After
aboutstraps.
five minutes the gelwhich
pads are
removed
and sweat
the armbyispassing
wiped. a low
electrical charge between the pads. After about
five minutes the gel pads are removed and the
arm is wiped.
www.uhs.nh
Child health information factsh
A collecting duct (small blue disk) is then placed on the arm wi
the sweat and this usually takes 30 to 40 minutes. If, after 40 m
disc is insufficient the test may be repeated on the other arm.
A collecting duct (small blue disk) is then placed
on the arm with a Velcro strap. The disk is used
to collect the sweat and this usually takes 30 to
40 minutes. If, after 40 minutes the amount of
sweat collected in the disc is insufficient the test
may be repeated on the other arm.
Sometimes, the pads and collecting duct might
may be placed on the leg or the back instead.
When the test is finished the sweat is sent to the
laboratory for testing.
When the test is finished the sweat is sent to the laboratory fo
The doctor who has asked for your child to have a sweat test will talk to you about the results when
they are available.
The doctor who has asked for your child to have a sweat test w
are available.
Safety
Safety of a sweat test
A sweat test is a safe test and most children have it without any problems. Your child may feel a mild
A sweat
a safe
most
children
have it without an
tickling or pricking feeling on their arm and it may become
redtest
butisthis
willtest
fadeand
over
a few
hours.
Your child may feel a mild tickling or pricking feeling on their a
a few hours.
In some cases your doctor might ask for the test to beover
repeated.
In some cases your doctor might ask for the test to be repeate
The appointment
The sweat test clinic is run on a set day of the week and
anappointment
appointment will be sent to you.
The
for sweat
tests isthe
runchildren’s
on a set day
of the week and a
If you are not able to make the appointment or if your The
childclinic
is unwell,
contact
outpatient
department as soon as possible in order to arrange another appointment.
If you are not able to make the appointment or if your child is
outpatient department as soon as possible.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact
The children’s outpatient department: 023 8120 4075 If you have any questions or concerns please contact
The children’s outpatient department: 023 8079 4075
If you need a translation of this document, an interpreter or a version in
large print, Braille or on audio tape, please
8120 4688 for
Iftelephone
you need023
a translation
of help.
this docum
www.uhs.nhs.uk/childrenshospital
V5 Published February 2015. Due for review February 2018. 2015-963(5)
an interpreter or a version in large prin
Braille or on audio tape, please teleph
023 8079 4688 for help.
V4 Revised Nov 2011 Review date Nov 2014 CHO.090.04
www.uhs.nh