RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Clinical and genetic studies on 12 preaxial polydactyly families and refinement of the localisation of the gene responsible to a 1.9 cM region on chromosome 7q36 JF Journal of Medical Genetics JO J Med Genet FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 33 OP 40 DO 10.1136/jmg.36.1.33 VO 36 IS 1 A1 Zguricas, Julia A1 Heus, Henk A1 Morales-Peralta, Estela A1 Breedveld, Guido A1 Kuyt, Bertus A1 Mumcu, Ethem F A1 Bakker, Wendela A1 Akarsu, Nurten A1 Kay, Simon P J A1 Hovius, Steven E R A1 Heredero-Baute, Luis A1 Oostra, Ben A A1 Heutink, Peter YR 1999 UL http://jmg.bmj.com/content/36/1/33.abstract AB Polydactyly is the most frequently observed congenital hand malformation with a prevalence between 5 and 19 per 10 000 live births. It can occur as an isolated disorder, in association with other hand/foot malformations, or as a part of a syndrome, and is usually inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. According to its anatomical location, polydactyly can be generally subdivided into pre- and postaxial forms. Recently, a gene responsible for preaxial polydactyly types II and III, as well as complex polysyndactyly, has been localised to chromosome 7q36. In order to facilitate the search for the underlying genetic defect, we ascertained 12 additional families of different ethnic origin affected with preaxial polydactyly. Eleven of the kindreds investigated could be linked to chromosome 7q36, enabling us to refine the critical region for the preaxial polydactyly gene to a region of 1.9 cM. Our findings also indicate that radial and tibial dysplasia/aplasia can be associated with preaxial polydactyly on chromosome 7q36. Combining our results with other studies suggests that all non-syndromic preaxial polydactylies associated with triphalangism of the thumb are caused by a single genetic locus, but that there is genetic heterogeneity for preaxial polydactyly associated with duplications of biphalangeal thumbs. Comparison of the phenotypic and genetic findings of different forms of preaxial polydactyly is an important step in analysing and understanding the aetiology and pathogenesis of these limb malformations.