Cystic Fibrosis Carrier Screening
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.
 Go to previous section |  Go to top of page |  Go to next section |
| Author: | Debby Golonka, MPH Ralph Poore | Last Updated: August 20, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Susanna McColley, MD - Pediatric Pulmonology Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine | |
 | ||
