Malformation syndromes--a diagnostic approach.

Seven in a thousand children are born with multiple malformations:' many of them will have one of the thousand or so malformation syndromes that have been described in the published reports. All malformation syndromes are rare and it is unlikely that the average clinician, or even the experienced dysmorphologist, will be able to recall all of them and to keep up to date with new reports. Nevertheless, a correct diagnosis is essential before recurrence risks and prognosis can be assessed.