Local or systemic disorders Affecting the salivary glands may produce a dryness of the mouth, termed xerostomia. In the adult, these disorders may include acute or chronic inflammatory processes due to obstructions or infection, atropic changes due to radiation or aging, neoplasms, neurogenic factors, or a disease such as diabetes mellitus. In the pediatric age group, the etiology may include vitamin and iron deficiencies, endocrine disorders, and an agenesis or hypoplasia of the salivary glands. It is the purpose of this report to present a case of congenital xerostomia due to apparent atresias of the parotid and submandibular ducts and to substantiate an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance for the atresias.