Cystic Fibrosis Carrier Screening - What Causes CF?
Cystic fibrosis (CF) 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 CF 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, and a 50% chance that the child will be a carrier.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
June 15, 2011
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