A Child's Lung with CF

Karyotype

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

The CFF is a non profit organization. Its mission is to improve the lives of people with Cystic Fibrosis.
They are hoping to find a way to cure CF, but so far have not found a way.
To find out more, visit www.cff.org.

Pedigree of the Larken Family

Check if You Have CF

If any of these symptoms apply to you, you may have Cystic Fibrosis:

- Salty-tasting skin
- Chronic coughing with phlegm (mucus)
- Frequent lung infections
- Poor weight gain despite healthy appetite
- Constant wheezing

TREATMENT

2-3 times a day, the CF patient will lie down while someone pounds on their back for around 45 minutes. Then the patient will cough up the excess mucus to clear their airway for about 20-30 minutes.

What Is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic Fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease. It causes the mucus inside your lungs to clog up, making it hard to breathe. It is most often found in caucasians, but can affect everyone.
CF is a recessive disease. To get it, you must get homozygous recessive (hh).


Homozygous dominant + Homozygous dominant = Healthy Child
Homozygous dominant + Homozygous recessive = Carrier
Homozygous recessive + Homozygous recessive = Child with CF
Heterozygous + Heterozygous = 25% Healthy Child, 50% Carrier, 25% Child with CF
Heterozygous + Homozygous Dominant = 50% Healthy Child, 50% Carrier
Heterozygous + Homozygous Recessive = 50% Carrier, 50% Child with CF

Close-up of CF Lungs

Lungs With CF