Vesicoureteric reflux: segregation analysis.

Complex segregation analysis was applied to data from 88 families containing at least one person with vesicoureteric reflux. Analysis showed that a single major locus was the most important causal factor in this condition, with the mutant allele being dominant to the normal allele and having a gene frequency of about 0.16%. Forty-five percent of gene carriers will have vesicoureteric reflux and/or reflux nephropathy as adults and 15% will develop renal failure, compared to 0.05% and 0.001%, respectively, for those not carrying the gene. This analysis confirms the importance of screening close relatives of persons with proven vesicoureteric reflux or reflux nephropathy.