Causes
Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease, which is inherited from your parents. Both parents must be a carrier of the defective chromosome 7 gene in order to have a child with CF. However, it is important to note that if there are 2 carriers of the CF gene it does not automatically mean their child will have CF. The diagram below explains how CF is inherited.
If the parents are both genetic carriers of CF, there is a:
1 in 4 chance the baby will have CF
2 in 4 chance the baby will be a genetic carrier of CF
1 in 4 chance the baby will not have CF and will not be a carrier of CF
Carriers of the defective gene usually have no symptoms of CF and live normal lives. Therefore some people are carriers and are not aware of it.
