[A clinico-genetic analysis of functional temporomandibular joint lesions in children]

The authors review the results of a clinical genealogic investigation of 130 families with children suffering from abnormalities of the temporomandibular joints presenting as recurrent subluxations and/or arthrosis. A genetic statistic study, carried out by proband Weinberg's method in sibs families, has lead the authors to a conclusion on the monogenic autosomal dominant type of inheriting the temporomandibular joint abnormalities. A high incidence of diseases due to connective tissue failure in the body (lower limb varicose veins, spinal deformations, platypodia, hernias, hemorrhoids, etc.) in the families with children suffering from temporomandibular joint abnormalities has permitted the authors regard recurrent subluxations and/or arthrosis of the temporomandibular joints as a component of the total involvement of the connective tissue.