Having cystic fibrosis also increases a child's risk for appendicitis.
Millions of parents have already used amniocentesis and sonograms to diagnose Down's syndrome or cystic fibrosis.
A woman discovered that she was a cystic fibrosis carrier during routine antenatal testing several years ago.
The disease gene is named CFTR, which stands for cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator.
During the Opening Ceremony of the 27th European cystic fibrosis Conference 2004, in Birmingham, Dr. Littlewood was awarded both the above honors.