What is the inheritance pattern of hypophosphatasia?

• A. Autosomal dominant
• B. Autosomal recessive
• C. X-linked recessive
• D. Monogenic

Answer: (B)

Hypophosphatasia is primarily inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. This means that for an individual to be affected by the condition, they must inherit two copies of the mutated gene, one from each parent. Both parents are usually carriers and may not show any symptoms themselves. This inheritance pattern is crucial because it helps determine the risk of the disorder in families and assists in genetic counseling.

Understanding this autosomal recessive inheritance pattern can help in predicting the likelihood of occurrence in offspring if both parents are carriers. Additionally, recognizing the genetic basis of hypophosphatasia aids in the development of targeted therapies and interventions for affected individuals.