Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Carrier Screen

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Carrier Screen
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that affects breathing and digestion. It is caused by an abnormal gene involved in mucus production in the body. The mucus is important in preventing infections and absorbing food within the body. Sufferers of cystic fibrosis lead an average lifespan of 30 years.

The CF carrier screen is a blood test taken by parents to see if they carry the abnormal genes that cause CF, in order to determine the risk of having a child with CF. If the test results show that both parents are CF carriers, your health care provider can test the baby. If the baby has CF, parents can take time before delivery to learn more about the disease and find appropriate specialists.

Whether you have the test is your own personal choice, but if you have a family history of CF it is probably an important test to have.

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Worried about going for your tests? Talk with other pregnant women who have been through it in our First Trimester forum.