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Older paternal age has previously been documented as a factor in sporadic fresh mutational cases of several autosomal dominant disorders. In this collaborative study, an older mean paternal age has been documented in sporadic cases of at least five additional dominantly inheritable disorders; the basal cell nevus syndrome, the Waardenburg syndrome, the Crouzon syndrome, the oculo-dental-digital sysdrome, and the Treacher-Collins syndrome. It was also found to be a factor in acrodysostosis and progeria, suggesting a fresh mutant gene etiology for these two conditions in which virtually all cases have been sporadic and the mode of genetic etiology has been unknown.

An additional family with the orofaciodigital syndrome. Type I, is presented. On the basis of previously published pedigrees, as well as the present case, data are presented that conclusively support an X-linked dominant mode of inheritance. Segregation analysis demonstrated that not only is there lethality in the male but there is significant lethality in the female due to lyonization. In addition, a review of the familial cases will demonstrate a large degree of intra- and interfamilial variation.

This is a report of three cases of the oral-facial-digital (OFD) syndrome with accompanying severe cerebral abnormalities. Among 150 reported cases of this syndrome, 16 had accompanying documented cerebral anomalies including porencephalic cysts, agenesis of the corpus callosum, and cortical hypoplasia. Although mental retardation is a prominent feature of this syndrome, neuroradiologic workup is infrequent. In view of the frequency of associated cerebral abnormalities (13%) of OFD syndrome, neuroradiologic evaluation is valuable as a guide to prognosis and therapy for these children.