Which of the following terms describes a genetic disorder where symptoms present in early childhood and lead to deterioration over time?

The term that best describes a genetic disorder where symptoms present in early childhood and lead to deterioration over time is degenerative disease. Degenerative diseases are characterized by the progressive loss of function or structure of the affected tissues or organs, often starting early in life.

In the context of genetic disorders, some conditions can manifest with symptoms in infancy or early childhood, and these symptoms can worsen over time, leading to significant health challenges. Examples include certain types of muscular dystrophy and neurodegenerative disorders.

Understanding degenerative diseases highlights the nature of these conditions, which are often linked to genetic mutations that impact cellular processes and lead to progressive decline rather than just the presence or absence of a particular genotype, as seen in purely recessive or dominant disorders. Chromosomal abnormalities can cause various genetic issues but do not specifically denote the progressive deterioration characteristic of degenerative diseases.