Is asthma hereditary?
, Dr. Paul states that if neither parent has asthma, the chances of each of their children having asthma are less than 10%. When one parent has asthma, the chances rise to 25%, and when both parents have asthma, the chances climb to 50%. (Actually, there is considerable disagreement among my sources as to the exact numbers, but all agree that the chances climb dramatically if one or both parents have asthma.) Similarly, if one or both parents have allergies, the chances of each of their children having allergies are 35% and 65%, respectively, compared to a less than 10% chance if neither parent has allergies. However, Dr. Paul cautions that “children don’t inherit asthma itself, but the tendency to develop it.” Whether or not an individual develops asthma is also influenced by their exposure to various other factors such as infections, irritants, and allergens.
. No, asthma itself is not hereditary, but there does seem to be a hereditary component to the tendency to develop asthma. In All About Asthma, Dr. Paul states that if neither parent has asthma, the chances of each of their children having asthma are less than 10%. When one parent has asthma, the chances rise to 25%, and when both parents have asthma, the chances climb to 50%. (Actually, there is considerable disagreement among my sources as to the exact numbers, but all agree that the chances climb dramatically if one or both parents have asthma.) Similarly, if one or both parents have allergies, the chances of each of their children having allergies are 35% and 65%, respectively, compared to a less than 10% chance if neither parent has allergies. However, Dr. Paul cautions that “children don’t inherit asthma itself, but the tendency to develop it.
