Cystic fibrosis in New Zealand: incidence and mortality.

The incidence of and mortality from cystic fibrosis in New Zealand from 1960 to 1983, has been reviewed. Cystic fibrosis subjects have been located from data obtained from New Zealand paediatricians, the Cystic Fibrosis Association and hospital admission records. Mortality figures in the years 1960-1982 were also obtained. The incidence of cystic fibrosis of 1: 3179 non-Maori births was similar to that reported previously. Those born during 1970-1983, have a significantly better survival than those born before 1970. The survival figures are similar to those in England and Wales, but are considerably lower than those reported from Canada, or cystic fibrosis centres in the United States and Australia.