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autosomal dominant inheritance

(AW-toh-SOH-mul DAH-mih-nunt in-HAYR-ih-tunts)
One of the ways a genetic trait or a genetic condition can be passed down (inherited) from parent to child. In autosomal dominant inheritance, a genetic condition can occur when the child inherits one copy of a mutated (changed) gene from one parent. A child who has a parent with the mutated gene has a 50% chance of inheriting that mutated gene.
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Drawing showing an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern between a father, mother, and their four children: a chromosome pair with a normal gene and a mutated gene in an affected father; two normal genes in an unaffected mother; a normal gene and a mutated gene in an affected daughter and in an affected son; and two normal genes in an unaffected daughter and in an unaffected son.Enlarge this image in new window
Autosomal dominant inheritance is a way a genetic trait or condition can be passed down from parent to child. One copy of a mutated (changed) gene from one parent can cause the genetic condition. A child who has a parent with the mutated gene has a 50% chance of inheriting that mutated gene. Men and women are equally likely to have these mutations and sons and daughters are equally likely to inherit them.
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