title: Approximating a trivariate normal probability that is of special relevance to the multifactorial model of disease transmission.
abstract: A study has been made of methods of approximating the probability of severe disease occurrence in the child of parents who both suffer from a mild (or subclinical) form of the disease in question. A wide range of parameter values has been considered. It has been found that (i) The Mendell-Elston formula is very accurate. (ii) The simple pseudo-Pareto formula is not quite as accurate as the Mendell-Elston, but is still well within the range of acceptability. (iii) A more elaborate pseudo-Pareto formula is very accurate.
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008957:Models, Genetic; D011336:Probability