Morphogenesis and malformations of the skin NICHD/NIADDK research workshop

Developmentally caused skin malformations constitute a spectrum of birth defects, some of which can be recognized prenatally by morphologic or biochemical means. The number of prenatally diagnosable skin diseases could be greatly expanded with an increased understanding of the molecular and cellular bases of skin development and the mechanisms that result in the generation of skin defects. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Institute of Arthritis, Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, therefore, sponsored a workshop that recommended basic biologic studies combined with clinical investigations of normal and abnormal cutaneous development set forth in this article. Investigations resulting from these research recommendations are intended to contribute to the knowledge that should aid in the prevention of developmentally caused skin deformities.