Hi - for anyone out there with UO who is interested in the research into the genetics of UO, there has been an article recently published in the 'American Journal of Medical Genetics' 138A:349-354

An extract reads as follows:

"All three patients we have reported had hyperkeratosis pilaris/ulerythema ophryogenes, an ectodermal disorder that has been seen in patients diagnosed with CFC and 18p- syndromes. We propose that hyperkeratosis pilaris/ulerythema ophryogenes has a gentically heterogeneous pathogenesis involving loci on 18p and 12q"

It is of interest because up until now it was mainly thought chromosome 18p alone was the culprit but now they have identified chromosome 12q as having a part to play. I know this info doesn't help get rid of the problem but it is good to know that some research is being done into the root cause of it.

Until they link these chromosomes to something directly within the hair follicle the research is useless in my opinion. Also, 3 patients is far from conclusive in terms of anything medical.

I really wish there was more research done on sebum glands and their role in keratinization. We would have a much better understanding of keratosis pilaris if this happened.

it dominant or recessive? the gene involved.......

KP and its variants are reported to be x linked dominant