Reference Intervals for Sweat Chloride

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Reference Intervals for Sweat Chloride

Sweat chloride concentrations can increase slightly with age, so there are age-related reference intervals (see Table 2 and Table 3). Sweat chloride concentrations should always be interpreted with regard to the clinical situation and the knowledge that some rare CF-causing mutations of CFTR can be associated with chloride values in the normal and intermediate ranges.
Table 2. Diagnostic interpretations for infants up to and including six months of age.
Chloride Concentration
Diagnostic Interpretation
29 mmol/L
CF unlikely
30-59 mmol/L
Intermediate (CF is possible)
60 mmol/L
Indicative of CF

Table 3. Diagnostic interpretations for patients over six months of age.
Chloride Concentration
Diagnostic Interpretation
39 mmol/L
CF unlikely
40-59 mmol/L
Intermediate (CF is possible)
60 mmol/L
Indicative of CF