BY. MERCEDES

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.

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

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).

Parents must decide if testing is right for them.

o 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.

o The test is routinely offered to couples who have a family history of CF.

o Many health care providers also make this test available to couples who are planning pregnancy or are pregnant.

The symptoms of CF vary and can range from mild to severe. Some common symptoms include:

Coughing or wheezing Repeated lung infectionsShortness of breath Poor growthIntestinal blockageGreasy, bulky stools Infertility in affected males

The symptoms of CF