Cystic Fibrosis Carrier Screening: What Causes Cystic Fibrosis
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What Causes Cystic Fibrosis?
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder. A child must inherit two defective CF genes (one defective gene from each parent) to have the disease.
A person who has inherited only one defective CF gene is a carrier of cystic fibrosis and does not have the disease but can pass it on to his or her children. This person can also pass on carrier status.
- If only one parent is a carrier of a defective CF gene, the child will not have CF. But there is a 50% (1-in-2) chance that the child will be a CF carrier.
- If both parents are carriers, there is a 25% (1-in-4) chance that the child will have CF, but a 50% chance that the child will be a carrier.
| Last updated: | June 26, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Debby Golonka, MPH |
| Reviewed By: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Susanna McColley, MD - Pediatric Pulmonology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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