Genetic testing shows the parents of a child with neurofibromatosis type 1 have no genetic evidence of the disorder. What should you say when the parents ask if any other future offspring will have the same disorder?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Approximately 50% of those affected by NF type 1 have a family history of the disorder. The other 50% appear to be the ¬first members of their family to have the disorder. Should this occur, one parent either has the disorder but has mild symptoms or the disorder was caused by a mutation in the sperm or egg and will not pass it to other children. Since the parents were both tested as not having evidence of the disorder, these parents cannot pass the disorder to other offspring. All offspring will not have the disorder. There is not a 50/50 chance of offspring having the disorder. The disorder cannot be stopped by lifestyle actions.

Genetic Testing Shows the Parents of a Child with Neurofibromatosis