Which description correctly characterizes autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease?

• A. Autosomal recessive inheritance pattern
• B. X-linked inheritance pattern
• C. Mitochondrial inheritance
• D. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

Answer: (D)

Autosomal dominant transmission means a single mutated allele is enough to cause the disease, so affected individuals often have an affected parent and each child has about a 50% chance of inheriting it. In autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, mutations (notably in PKD1 or PKD2) lead to numerous bilateral renal cysts and progressive kidney dysfunction, often presenting in adulthood with hypertension and flank pain. The option that names the disease and its inheritance—autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease—best captures both the pattern of inheritance and the condition itself. The other patterns listed describe different inheritance modes (autosomal recessive, X-linked, mitochondrial) and do not apply to ADPKD.