Incidence of familial dysautonomia in Israel 1977-1981.

The incidence of all diagnosed cases of familial dysautonomia in Israel among Ashkenazi Jews from 1977-1981 was 27/100,000 or 1/3703. This incidence is higher than that previously reported in Israel in 1967 or 8.3/100,000 (1/12,048) (Moses et al. 1967). It is also higher than that of North American Ashkenazi Jews in 1970, when the rate was 5-10/100,000 (1/10,000-20,000) (Brunt & McKusick 1970). This higher incidence could be explained by current awareness of the diagnosis, or by the emergence of more cases.