Familial skeletal cardiovascular syndrome (Holt-Oram) in a polygamous African family

A polygamous Nigerian family with inherited skeletal cardiovascular anomalies (Holt-Oram syndrome) is described. Common to the affected individuals in this family were pectus excavatum and abnormalities of the thumbs. Atrial septal defect was proven by angiocardiography in one and clinically diagnosed in another member of the family. The mode of inheritance of the abnormalities in this family as in other reported cases is thought to be an autosomal dominant type which is unaffected by the polygamous situation.