Fanconi Anemia: Prevention

Fanconi anemia, or FA, is a rare, inherited blood disorder that leads to bone marrow failure. The disorder also is called Fanconi’s anemia.

Part of: Fanconi Anemia

About Prevention and Fanconi Anemia

You can’t prevent Fanconi anemia (FA) because it’s an inherited disease. If a child gets two copies of the same faulty FA gene, he or she will have the disease.

If you’re at high risk for FA and are planning to have children, you may want to consider genetic counseling. A counselor can help you understand your risk of having a child who has FA. He or she also can explain the choices that are available to you.

If you’re already pregnant, genetic testing can show whether your child has FA. For more information on genetic testing, go to “How Is Fanconi Anemia Diagnosed?”

In the United States, Ashkenazi Jews (Jews of Eastern European descent) are at higher risk for FA than other ethnic groups. For Ashkenazi Jews, it’s recommended that prospective parents get tested for FA-related gene mutations before getting pregnant.

Preventing Complications

If you or your child has FA, you can prevent some… Read more about Fanconi Anemia: Prevention