Monday, June 6, 2011

Deafness-ichthyosis-keratitis syndrome

Deafness-ichthyosis-keratitis syndrome: An inherited disorder in which affected persons have deafness at birth, localized areas of disfiguring reddish thickened skin (ichthyosis), gradual destruction of the cornea (keratitis) of the eye sometimes leading to blindness, and thin or even absent scalp hair. Some patients have developed carcinoma of the tongue while others have subtle abnormalities of the nervous system. The basis of the syndrome is still a mystery. It is also called the KID syndrome (KID standing for keratitis-ichthyosis- deafness).