Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome (WBS) has attracted a great deal of attention b
ecause of its genetic complexity. Individuals with WBS can be identified ob
jectively by anthropometric analysis. Craniofacial anthropometry in conjunc
tion with multivariate statistical analysis can be used to define patterns
of variability that appear to relate to specific modes of inheritance that
have been proposed for WBS. Our data on 19 affected individuals and their f
irst-degree relatives indicate that the pattern of inheritance rather than
the age of subjects may be responsible for the highly variable craniofacial
phenotype found in individuals diagnosed with WBS. Am. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss
, Inc.