Craniometaphyseal dysplasia in six generations of a German kindred.

Craniometaphyseal dysplasia (CMD) was found in 6 generations of a large German kindred; 24 affected individuals were identified. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by further examinations in 15 individuals, including 2 exhumed skeletons. Five deceased individuals were considered to be undoubtedly affected by reviewing photographs, and 4 must have had CMD from genealogical considerations. Pedigree analysis was performed over 8 generations back to persons born at the beginning of the 18th century in a central area of Germany. The trait could be traced back to a common male ancestor, born in 1790. Molecular genetic investigations on 3 generations of this kindred are in progress. In the present study we describe the clinical characteristics of the family.