Autosomal dominant ectodermal dysplasia.

A three generation family with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (ED) is presented. Attempts to categorize the disorder in the family as one of the recognized types of ED were unsuccessful. Affected members of the family have mild hypotrichosis, mild hypodontia, and variable degrees of hypohidrosis. Autosomal dominant inheritance is proposed. Scanning electron microscopy on the hair of members of the family is presented. While there is no specific pattern of defects of the hair of affected persons, the cuticular layer is defective and there are longitudinal grooves in the hair shafts.