Cystic Fibrosis
...chloride transport resulting in abnormal mucus production.
This lifelong illness usually gets more severe with age and can affect both
males and females. Symptoms and severity differ from person to person. Cystic
fibrosis is the most common fatal inherited disease among whites and the major
cause of chronic lung disease in children. 50% of people are expected to live
to be 30, but a majority die before age thirteen. 1:2000 whites have cystic
fibrosis, 1:17000 blacks, 1:6000 live births, 1:2500 Americans, and 1:20 is a
carrier.
The genes are inherited in pairs, with one gene coming from each parent
to make the pair. Cystic fibrosis occurs when both genes have mutations. A
person with cystic fibrosis receives one cystic fibrosis gene from each parent.
The parents of a child, with cystic fibrosis, each carry one nonworking copy of
the gene and one working copy of the gene. The parents are called cystic
fibrosis carriers, and because they have one working gene they have no symptoms.
Carrier parents have 1:4 chance to have a child who is a noncarrier of cystic
fibrosis, a 1:2 chance to have a child who carries the gene, and a 1:4 chance
with each pregnancy to have an affected child. If you have a son or daughter
with cystic fibrosis, then you have a 1:1 chance of being a carrier. If you have
a brother or sister with CF, you have a 2:3 chance of being a carrier. If you
have a niece or nephew with CF, you have a 1:2 chance of being a carrier. If
you have an aunt or uncle with CF, you have a 1:3 chance of being a carrier and
a 1:4 chance if you have a 1st cousin with CF.
Cystic fibrosis affects the lungs in particular. The secretions are
thick and sticky rather than thin and watery. This interferes with the removal
of dust and germs. It can lead to lung infections and even chronic lung damage.
Air passages become clogged with mucus and there is often...
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