
Q: What is Cystic Fibrosis?
A: Cystic Fibrosis is a life-long illness that is usually diagnosed in the first few years of life. The disorder causes problems with digestion and breathing. Cystic fibrosis does not affect intelligence or appearance.
The only way you can have a child with Cystic Fibrosis is if both parents carry a CF gene. If both parents are carriers, a child has a one-in-four chance of being born with the disease.
Q: What is CF Carrier Testing?
A: A laboratory test done on a sample of blood or saliva. Usually, we test the mother first. If she proves to be a carrier, the father is tested. Without a family history, your risk is based on your ethnic background.
