Cystic Fibrosis Screening

What Is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited genetic disorder that affects the respiratory and digestive system from infancy through to adulthood. Babies and children with Cystic Fibrosis need daily physiotherapy for their lungs and frequent courses of antibiotics to treat the bacterial infections. Despite modern treatments there is currently no cure and sufferers have a reduced life expectancy.

Is Cystic Fibrosis Common?

Cystic Fibrosis is the most common life threatening genetic condition affecting Australian newborns. One in every 2,500 babies, male or female, born in Australia will have CF.

Could Your Child be at risk of having Cystic Fibrosis?

For a child to have Cystic Fibrosis both parents must be carriers of the gene fault responsible for CF. When two CF carriers have a child there is a 1 in 4 chance their child will be affected by Cystic Fibrosis. 

Cystic Fibrosis Screening at IVFAustralia

IVFAustralia’s in-house CF screening program provides a fast result following a simple blood test of one partner. Both parents need to be carriers of the CF mutation in order for the child to be affected. If the test comes back positive for one partner a specialist will recommend that the other partner be tested.    

Test Costs

Screening for CF mutations is not covered by Medicare and a fee of $285 is charged (this expense can go towards out of pocket tax deduction).

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