Observations on cystic fibrosis of the pancreas. VI. The uterine cervix

Abstract

Histologic sections of the reproductive tract from autopsied female children withcystic fibrosis were reviewed for evidence of morphologic lesions. Adequate material was available in 26 children with an age range of 4 days to 15 years. The most prominent alteration was distension of endocervical epithelial cells with cytoplasmic mucin. Copious mucin was also found in the submucosal glands and in the lumen of the endocervix and os in the absence of inflammation. The material had the staining reactions of an acidic carboxymucin. The findings were present in all newborn infants and in over 45 per cent of the older infants and children who had died of cystic fibrosis. In contrast, less severe changes were found in 14 per cent of autopsied infants and children without cystic fibrosis. Although the importance of excessive mucin secretion and reduced fertility is unclear, these findings in infants and children indicate the need for evaluation of cervical mucus in adults with cystic fibrosis.