What Causes Fanconi Anemia?

Fanconi anemia (FA) is an inherited disease. “Inherited” means that the disease is passed from parents to children through abnormal genes. At least 11 genes can cause FA if they're not normal. FA develops when both parents pass the same abnormal gene for FA to their child.

People who have only one abnormal FA gene are “carriers” of FA. Carriers don't have FA, but they can pass the abnormal gene to their children.

If both of your parents have an abnormal 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 a carrier of FA and passing the gene to any children you have

If only one of your parents has a defective FA gene, you won't develop the disorder. However, there is a 50 percent chance that you will be a carrier and pass the gene to any children you have.