Thick mucous gland secretions, elevated sweat electrolytes, meconium ileus, and difficulty maintaining and gaining weight are associated with which autosomal recessive disorder?

1. Cerebral palsy

2. Cystic fibrosis

3. Muscular dystrophy

4. Multiple sclerosis

The correct option is the number 2. Cystic fibrosis

Explanation:

Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease that affects the glands that produce mucus, sweat and digestive juices, this genetic disorder makes the secretions more sticky and thick, they accumulate and produces blockage in the tubes, ducts and passages, in particular in the lungs and pancreas.

The mucus block the ducts that carry digestive enzymes from the pancreas to the small intestine. Without these digestive enzymes, the intestines are not able to completely absorb nutrients in the food. The result is often, little increase in weight and growth, intestinal obstruction, particularly in newborns (ìleo meconium), among others.

Cystic fibrosis also affects the epithelial cells of the sweat glands, children suffering from this disorder may have a kind of salt layer on the skin. They can also lose abnormally high amounts of salt when they sweat on hot days.