What does it mean
if a disorder seems
to run in my family?
A particular disorder might be described as “running in
a family” if more than one person in the family has the
condition. Some disorders that affect multiple family
members are caused by gene mutations, which can be
inherited (passed down from parent to child). Other conditions
that appear to run in families are not caused by mutations
in single genes. Instead, environmental factors such as
dietary habits or a combination of genetic and environmental
factors are responsible for these disorders.
a family” if more than one person in the family has the
condition. Some disorders that affect multiple family
members are caused by gene mutations, which can be
inherited (passed down from parent to child). Other conditions
that appear to run in families are not caused by mutations
in single genes. Instead, environmental factors such as
dietary habits or a combination of genetic and environmental
factors are responsible for these disorders.
It is not always easy to determine whether a condition in a
family is inherited. A genetics professional can use a person’s
family history (a record of health information about a person’s
immediate and extended family) to help determine whether a
disorder has a genetic component. He or she will ask about
the health of people from several generations of the family,
usually first-, second-, and third-degree relatives.
family is inherited. A genetics professional can use a person’s
family history (a record of health information about a person’s
immediate and extended family) to help determine whether a
disorder has a genetic component. He or she will ask about
the health of people from several generations of the family,
usually first-, second-, and third-degree relatives.
| Degrees of relationship | Examples |
|---|---|
| First-degree relatives | Parents, children, brothers, and sisters |
| Second-degree relatives | Grandparents, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren |
| Third-degree relatives | First cousin |
This condition affects members in each generation of a family.
Credit: U.S. National Library of Medicine
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