Which of the following is a recommended preventive measure for CF populations?

Which of the following is a recommended preventive measure for CF populations?

• A. Prenatal carrier screening for prevention
• B. Neonatal screening only
• C. Postnatal genetic testing only
• D. Genetic screening is not recommended

Answer: (A)

Identifying carriers before conception is the most preventive approach because it gives couples information about their risk of having a child with cystic fibrosis and enables choices that can prevent an affected birth. Cystic fibrosis is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, so if both partners are carriers there is a 25% chance with each pregnancy that the child will be affected. Prenatal carrier screening helps couples plan—options include preimplantation genetic testing with IVF or prenatal diagnostic testing (like CVS or amniocentesis) to determine whether the fetus is affected, allowing informed decisions early in pregnancy. Neonatal screening detects CF after birth, which improves early management but does not prevent disease in future pregnancies. Postnatal genetic testing alone also does not prevent an affected birth, since it occurs after conception and birth. And genetic screening is not universally not recommended; many guidelines support CF carrier screening for individuals planning pregnancy or with risk factors, making prenatal carrier screening a recognized preventive measure.

Identifying carriers before conception is the most preventive approach because it gives couples information about their risk of having a child with cystic fibrosis and enables choices that can prevent an affected birth. Cystic fibrosis is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, so if both partners are carriers there is a 25% chance with each pregnancy that the child will be affected. Prenatal carrier screening helps couples plan—options include preimplantation genetic testing with IVF or prenatal diagnostic testing (like CVS or amniocentesis) to determine whether the fetus is affected, allowing informed decisions early in pregnancy.

Neonatal screening detects CF after birth, which improves early management but does not prevent disease in future pregnancies. Postnatal genetic testing alone also does not prevent an affected birth, since it occurs after conception and birth. And genetic screening is not universally not recommended; many guidelines support CF carrier screening for individuals planning pregnancy or with risk factors, making prenatal carrier screening a recognized preventive measure.