Keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness syndrome

An inherited disorder that is characterized by keratitis (gradual destruction of the cornea of the eye, sometimes leading to blindness), ichthyosis (localized areas of disfiguring reddish thickened skin), and deafness from birth. Abbreviated KID syndrome. Another characteristic feature of KID syndrome is thin or absent scalp hair. Some patients develop cancer of the tongue, and some have subtle abnormalities of the nervous system. KID syndrome is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and is usually due to mutation in the connexin-26 gene (located on chromosome 13).