Low frequency of the delta F508 mutation in Finno-Ugrian and Baltic populations

The frequency of carriers of the delta F508 mutation at the cystic fibrosis (CF) locus was studied in population samples of Finns, Lithuanians, Saamis (Lapps) and Swedes from northern Sweden. The carrier frequencies in northern Sweden (1:200) and in Lithuanians (1:143) were significantly lower than in southern Scandinavia (Denmark; 1:38). No delta F508 carriers were found in Finns (n = 171) and Saamis (n = 151). The results indicate that the frequency of delta F508 is low in Finno-Ugrian and Baltic populations, and the decreased frequency of delta F508 in northern Sweden may be due to Finnish and Saamish admixture.