1. Cystic Fibrosis
BY. MERCEDES

2. What is the genetic cause of this disorder?
CF is an inherited disease, which means that it's passed down from parent to child. People with CF got the disease because their moms and dads each had a gene for CF. You need two CF genes (one from mom and one from dad) to have cystic fibrosis.

3. How often does this disorder occur Is it more common in ethnic groups?
The disease occurs in 1 in 2,500 to 3,500 Caucasian newborns
Cystic fibrosis is less common in other ethnic groups, affecting about 1 in 17,000 African Americans and 1 in 31,000 Asian Americans

4. Is it sex linked or autosomal? Is it dominant or recessive?
This condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means both copies of the gene in each cell have mutations.
The parents of the children with (CF) carry one copy of the mutated gene, but they typically do not show signs and symptoms of (CF).

5. Can it be detected before birth?
Parents must decide if testing is right for them.
There is a test, called a carrier screening test, that can help determine whether a couple is at increased risk of having a baby with CF.
The test is routinely offered to couples who have a family history of CF.
Many health care providers also make this test available to couples who are planning pregnancy or are pregnant.

6. The symptoms of CF
The symptoms of CF vary and can range from mild to severe. Some common symptoms include:
Coughing or wheezing
Repeated lung infections
Shortness of breath
Poor growth
Intestinal blockage
Greasy, bulky stools
Infertility in affected males

9. This is a tool that kides us.