A common HLA phenotype in slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Studies from three different countries have linked the HLA B12 and DR4 antigens with slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). We questioned whether our patients shared in common either of these antigens. HLA phenotype was determined in 7 patients with SCFE, two of whom were brothers with almost identical haplotypes. The B12 antigen was found in none of our patients and the DR4 in only 3. Neither of the 2 brothers held the DR4 antigen. The commonest antigens (also shared by the 2 brothers) were B35, present in 5 and DR52 in 4 of 7 patients. We conclude that neither the previously described B12 nor the DR4 antigen can reliably serve as genetic markers for SCFE in our region.