What Causes Fanconi Anemia?

Fanconi anemia (FA) is an inherited disease. "Inherited" means that the disease is passed from parents to children through the genes. At least 13 faulty genes are associated with FA. FA develops when both parents pass the same faulty FA gene to their child.

People who have only one faulty FA gene are FA "carriers." Carriers don't have FA, but they can pass the faulty gene to their children.

If both of your parents have a faulty FA gene, you have:

• A 25 percent chance of having FA
• A 25 percent chance of not having FA
• A 50 percent chance of being an FA carrier and passing the gene to any children you have

If only one of your parents has a faulty FA gene, you won't develop the disorder. However, you have a 50 percent chance of being an FA carrier and passing the gene to any children you have.