Congenital scalp skull defects with distal limb anomalies (Adams-Oliver syndrome--McKusick 10030): further suggestion of autosomal recessive inheritance.

We describe a man with manifestations of the Adams-Oliver syndrome: congenital scalp defect with hypoplastic fingers and toes. The patient has normal first-cousin parents: among seven sibs, three sisters and two brothers are normal; two brothers born with the same scalp lesion died as a consequence of bleeding from this abnormal area. There is no evidence of other affected relatives. The family of our patient is suggestive of autosomal recessive inheritance of this disorder with phenotypic manifestations identical to those present in the autosomal dominant form. Dermatoglyphic findings are discussed.