A risk figure for a person being affected with a (usually) multifactorial disorder, obtained by observation and experience of many families where people have that disorder. These recurrence risks are based upon observations obtained from family studies rather than theoretical principles.
Here are some examples of empiric risks for UK parents who have had a child with a particular condition. The empiric risk of their having another child with the same condition is:
Spina bifida - 1 in 25 (4%) Ventricular septal defect - 3% Congenital dislocation of the hip - 6% Cleft lip and palate - 4%
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