Since 1986, all newborns have been subject to a heel prick test. This test is used to screen for a number of conditions, one of which is an indicator for CF. Diagnosis may also result after a baby is born with obvious CF symptoms such a bowel blockage or failure to “thrive”. The heel prick test does not detect everyone; and the definitive test for CF continues to be The Sweat Test, as high levels of salt in perspiration is extremely common amongst those with CF.
Carriers are symptomless and live normal lives. They are overwhelmingly unaware of their CF carrier status. Yet they have every chance of passing on the gene to the next generation and that generation to the next and so on – it is only a matter of time before a member of “ the family” is born with CF.
1 in 4 chance the child will have CF
1 in 4 chance the child will not have CF (will not have a copy of or be a carrier of the CF gene)
2 in 4 chance of being a carrier of CF (having one copy of the CF gene)
CF starts at conception (before birth). However, CF symptoms may not show up for a while. The start of symptoms varies from person to person. For most people with CF the disease is diagnosed or symptoms begin to show up in the first 2 years of life.
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