Cystic Fibrosis Carrier Screening

What If I Am a Carrier?

If tests show that you are a carrier of CF, your partner should also be tested. Both parents must be carriers of CF for a child to have the disease. If tests show that your partner is not a carrier of the CF gene, there is a very small chance that you will have a child with CF.

If you and your partner are both carriers of CF there is a 1-in-4 (25%) chance that your child will have CF.3

  • If you are not already pregnant, you may wish to have genetic counselling to understand your risks and options if you decide to have children.
  • If you are already pregnant, you may wish to have further testing (amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling) to determine whether your baby has CF.

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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

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Topic Contents
 What Is Cystic Fibrosis?
 What Causes Cystic Fibrosis?
 What Is Carrier Screening?
 Who Should Be Screened?
Arrow PointerWhat If I Am a Carrier?
 Is Screening Accurate?
 Should I Be Screened?
 Why Not Be Screened?
 Other Places To Get Help
 Related Information
 References
 Credits