Pedigrees are used to analyze the pattern of inheritance of a particular trait throughout a family. Pedigrees show the presence or absence of a trait as it relates to the relationship among parents, offspring, and siblings.

What is a pedigree used for?

A pedigree shows relationships between family members and indicates which individuals have certain genetic pathogenic variants, traits, and diseases within a family as well as vital status. A pedigree can be used to determine disease inheritance patterns within a family.

What are the benefits of pedigree charts?

A pedigree chart helps represent a map of a family's ancestral heritage over several generations. It helps in identifying dominant and recessive genes and the effect it has on the child. This helps map hereditary genes and acquired traits.