Cystic Fibrosis Carrier Screening

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.