Which of the following statements about multifactorial inheritance disorders are accurate to share with a family of a child born with a cleft lip and palate? Multifactorial inheritance disorders: Select all that apply

Question

A) Can be predicted with the same degree of accuracy as Mendelian single-gene mutations
B) Usually involve more than a single organ or tissue
C) Carry the same risk for recurrence with future pregnancies
D) Have an increased risk among first-degree relatives of the affected person
E) Carry no additional risk with increasing incidence of the defect among relatives

Answer 1

Ans: C, D
Feedback:
Although multifactorial traits cannot be predicted with the same degree of accuracy as Mendelian single-gene mutations, characteristic patterns exist. First, multifactorial congenital malformations tend to involve a single organ or tissue. Second, the risk of recurrence in future pregnancies is for the same or a similar defect. This means that parents of a child with a cleft palate defect have an increased risk of having another child with a cleft palate. Third, the increased risk (compared with the general population) among first-degree relatives of the affected person is 2% to 7%. The risk increases with increasing incidence of the defect among relatives. This means that the risk is greatly increased when a second child with the defect is born to a couple.