Ring-like perilimbic pigment deposits in dark-skinned children. An oculo-aural syndrome?

A description is given of a perilimbic ring-like pigment deposit which the author found in East Africa. It appears that the rings were more frequently present among deaf than among non-deaf children in Tanzania and Kenya, and in both more frequently in these countries than in Ethiopia, Florida, India, Malawi and South Africa. In the absence of a satisfactory explanation being found in the previous literature, it is hypothesized, on the basis of data gathered in 1748 children, that the occurrence of the rings is negatively correlated with the level of the regions' general health conditions as well as with an unfavourable individual case history, and positively with a genetically determined pigment proneness and the individual's age.