How many generations can neurofibromatosis be inherited?
Aug 21, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
Neurofibromatosis does not follow a fixed generational pattern of inheritance. It is mostly inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, with a relatively stable probability of being passed on to offspring. It may be inherited continuously across multiple generations, skip generations, or manifest in only a single generation. Individuals with a family history of neurofibromatosis should undergo regular medical checkups in daily life, paying close attention to abnormal changes in the skin, nervous system, and other areas, to ensure early detection and timely intervention.
Generally, neurofibromatosis does not follow a fixed generational inheritance pattern and is mostly inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. The probability of passing the condition to offspring remains relatively constant. It may be inherited continuously across several generations, skip a generation, or appear in only one generation of a family. Detailed explanations are as follows:
Neurofibromatosis is mainly associated with mutations in genes such as NF1 and NF2. If one parent is affected, the mutated gene-carrying gamete combines with a normal gamete, resulting in a roughly 50% probability that the offspring will inherit the disease. This genetic probability does not significantly decrease over generations, and it is possible for two, three, or even more consecutive generations to be affected.
In some families, reduced penetrance of the mutated gene may result in gene carriage without symptom manifestation in an intermediate generation, leading to skipped-generation inheritance. For example, grandparents may be affected, parents may be asymptomatic, and the disease reappears in grandchildren. Additionally, sporadic cases also exist, where individuals develop the disease due to de novo gene mutations without a family history of the condition. These cases typically are not passed on to offspring and only manifest in the affected individual.
In daily life, individuals with a family history of neurofibromatosis should undergo regular physical examinations, paying close attention to abnormal changes in the skin and nervous system, to enable early detection and intervention.
