FH is inherited in which pattern?

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

Answer: (B)

Familial hypercholesterolemia is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning a single mutated copy of the responsible gene is enough to cause the condition and can be passed to about half of a parent’s children. This explains why the trait often appears in multiple generations and across both sexes, with affected individuals typically having an affected parent. Even though having two mutated copies (homozygous) is possible and more severe, the more common form is by a single mutant allele (heterozygous), which fits autosomal dominant transmission.

X-linked inheritance would show a different pattern, often affecting males more than females and transmitted through carrier mothers. Mitochondrial inheritance would mean the trait is passed from mothers to all their children. Autosomal recessive inheritance would require both copies of the gene to be mutated and can skip generations, which FH does not typically do.