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blossomxo · Jan 17, 2011, 01:59 PM

Hi I would appreciate any advice on the following. I am ten weeks pregnant and the father of my baby has two sisters who have the systic fibrosis illness to quite serious extent. He has a brother who does not have this illness and neither does he. In total my unborn child's fathers sister and brother have a total of 3 children who do not have the illness. However my question being is there a risk of my baby having this illness as he may be a carrier and is there any tests. Please advise as I am still quite early in my pregnancy!

tickle · Jan 17, 2011, 02:02 PM

Hi blossom, there is probably a DNA test that can be done from the amniotic fluid, of course, I am just thinking back right now. The best bet is put your concerns on the table with your obygyn and ask her if there is a test available. Sorry, that is the best information I can give you at the moment.

DoulaLC · Jan 17, 2011, 02:54 PM

You husband could be a carrier having siblings who have CF. This comes about because his sisters received two recessive genes from their parents for the disorder. Your husband may have a recessive gene for it, or he may not. This can be determined through a blood test.

In order for your child to be affected, you too would have to have a recessive gene for it that gets passed onto baby. You may not have any known family history, but a simple blood test would also determine if you carried the gene.

There are variations as well, so a discussion with your doctor, as tickle suggested, to determine what testing should be done would be wise.

Your newborn will automatically be screened as well, even if there wasn't a family history, as part of the regular screenings done on newborns.

blossomxo · Jan 17, 2011, 04:44 PM

Doulalc I have a child to a previous partner would the hospital not have told me after the normal blood tests then that I carried a CF gene? If there was a risk isn't it possible a CF child can have a good quality of life now? Thank you x

tickle · Jan 17, 2011, 04:58 PM

You are missing one important qualification here, blossom, you yourself do not carry the gene. And yes, CF children do have a good quaiity of life now, and most importantly, you have to stop worrying, be happy, and deliver a healthy baby my dear.

Tick

blossomxo · Jan 17, 2011, 05:05 PM

Thank you tick, really appreaciate your feedback. Its just good to hear from other people before you can speak to a doctor to ease your mind. Xx

DoulaLC · Jan 17, 2011, 05:58 PM

>>>>>>>Doulalc I have a child to a previous partner would the hospital not have told me after the normal blood tests then that I carried a CF gene? If there was a risk isn't it possible a CF child can have a good quality of life now? Thank you x

You may or may not have been tested previously. Often the testing is not done unless there is a specific reason to do so.

Newborns usually have the testing done routinely. And yes, as Tick said, the quality of life for children with CF is very much improved.

Again, speak to your doctor and they will discuss with you the steps that may be taken during your pregnancy to check that all is well.