Causes of CF
WHO GETS CYSTIC FIBROSIS?
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is autosomal recessive meaning that it occurs equally in males and females. The CF gene must be inherited from both parents and it can skip generations.
In Australia, one in 2,500 babies are born with CF, that’s one every four days. On average one in 25 people carry the CF gene and most are unaware that they are carriers. Because carriers of CF are unaffected and therefore show no symptoms, it is hard for them to appreciate that CF may be a real risk.
Any of us could be a carrier and we wouldn’t know. Think about it, that’s about 1 million unaware carriers – it could be you!
In Tasmania, 1 in 20 people carry the CF gene. This is the second highest rate in the world behind Ireland.
To have cystic fibrosis, a child must inherit one copy of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutation from each parent. People who have only one copy of a CFTR gene mutation do not have CF. They are called “CF carriers.”
Each time two CF carriers have a child, the chances are:
- 25 percent (1 in 4) the child will have CF
- 50 percent (1 in 2) the child will be a carrier but will not have CF
- 25 percent (1 in 4) the child will not be a carrier of the gene and will not have CF
People with CF can also pass copies of their CF gene mutations to their children. If someone with CF has a child with a CF carrier, the chances are:
- 50 percent (1 in 2) the child will be a carrier but will not have CF
- 50 percent (1 in 2) the child will have CF
How a Person Gets CF
