Usually with PD, a gene variant changes how the body processes anesthesia drugs known as choline esters. In most people, the drugs break down quickly, allowing the relaxed muscles to return to normal. If you have PD, your body can't break down the drugs as easily. As a result, the muscles stay relaxed, which can prevent you from moving or breathing on your own for a few hours after use of the drug. Genetic testing can reveal whether you have the gene variant.

To have the condition, you must inherit the affected gene from both of your parents. If you inherit only one affected gene, you won't have the condition. However, you may process choline esters more slowly than those without an affected gene. With one affected gene, you are a gene mutation carrier and can pass the affected gene to your children. But they wouldn't develop the condition unless they also inherited an affected gene from the other parent.

The cause of pseudocholinesterase deficiency or PD is an inherited gene passed down from both of your parents. If you have one faulty gene, you won't have the condition, but you may have problems with anesthesia drugs. You can pass the faulty gene to your children. But to have pseudocholinesterase deficiency, your child must inherit a faulty gene from both parents.

Your risk for pseudocholinesterase deficiency or PD is higher if someone in your family has the condition. To have pseudocholinesterase deficiency, you must inherit a faulty gene from both of your parents. If you have one faulty gene, you won't have the condition, but you may have problems with anesthesia drugs. You can pass the faulty gene to your children.