Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Health
  4. / Medical Conditions And Procedures
  5. / Internal Organs

by Answer Rabbit on April 21st, 2006

Answer Rabbit

Question

Help answer this question below.

Are there any risk factors that make mothers more likely to have children with cystic fibrosis?

Share:
Other

Answers. Showing one answer.

  • by PhilDoc on April 21st, 2006

    PhilDoc

    Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease that causes certain glands to produce abnormal secretions, resulting in tissue and organ damage, especially in the lungs and the digestive tract.

    Cystic fibrosis is the most common inherited disease leading to a shortened life span among white people in the United States. It occurs in about 1 of 3,300 white infants and in 1 of 15,300 black infants. It is rare in Asians. Cystic fibrosis is equally common in boys and girls.

    Cystic fibrosis results when a person inherits two defective copies (mutations) of a particular gene. This gene controls the production of a protein that regulates the transport of chloride and sodium (salt) across cell membranes. Worldwide, about 3 of 100 white people carry one defective copy of the gene; thus, they are carriers but they themselves do not get sick. About 3 of 10,000 white people inherit two defective copies of the gene; thus, they develop cystic fibrosis. In these people, chloride and sodium transport is disrupted and dehydration and increased stickiness of secretions occur.

    The only risk factor known to increase the risk of having a child with cystic fibrosis is to have a family history of the disease.

    Comments
    • Like
    • Report

    2 comments | Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading Are there any risk factors that make mothers more likely to have children with cystic fibrosis?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

Answerbag

a Demand Media company