Ablepharon-macrostomia syndrome: first report of familial occurrence

Ablepharon-macrostomia syndrome (AMS) is a rare condition comprising severe deficiency of the anterior lamella of both eyelids, abnormal ears, macrostomia, anomalous genitalia, redundant skin, and absence of lanugo. There is no agreement about cause; some authors suggest autosomal recessive inheritance. We describe familial occurrence of AMS in a girl, sister of a previously reported patient. The father has facial anomalies that suggest autosomal dominant inheritance. Am. J. Med. Genet. 94:281-283, 2000.