Familial Incidence of Atrial Septal Defect

Four siblings with atrial septal defects confirmed at operation are reported. They represent the largest sibship with isolated ASD reported to date. Familial aggregation of ASD has been found in single generations, and some kindreds have been traced through several generations. Inheritance follows the multifactorial mode primarily but in certain families autosomal dominant transmission is evident. Emphasis is placed on awareness of this congenital heart disease that could result in earlier diagnosis of unsuspected cases in other family members and appropriate genetic counseling.