A dental approach to carrier screening of X linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia

Abstract

The frequency of carriers of X linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia among females with hypodontia of the permanent dentition (excluding third molars) could be as high as 1 in 500, and among females with deciduous hypodontia could be as high as 1 in 50. Since it may be possible to identify carriers from among female hypodontia cases in general by virtue of a reduced sweat pore count, the potential exists for a reasonably practical method of screening for carriers at the population level.