Researchers gauge heritability of childhood-onset autoimmune diseases

(Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) Scientists have calculated more precise measurements of heritability -- the influence of underlying genes -- in nine autoimmune diseases that begin in childhood. The research may strengthen researchers' abilities to better predict a child's risk for associated autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, Crohn's disease and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, collectively affect one in 12 persons in the Western hemisphere.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: news