The following summary is from Orphanet, a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Orpha Number: 30391 Definition Biliary atresia is a rare, progressive obliterative cholangiopathy of the extrahepatic bile ducts, occuring in the embryonic/ perinatal period, leading to severe and persistent jaundice and acholic stool with an unfavorable course in…

Caudal regression sequence (CRS) affects the development of the lower (caudal) half of the body. It can impact the development of the lower back, spinal cord, and lower limbs. The kidneys, bladder, digestive tract, and genitalia may also be affected. CRS occurs during fetal development and is present at birth. The features and severity vary from…

Lowe oculocerebrorenal syndrome is a rare condition that primarily affects the eyes, central nervous system and kidneys. Some of the signs and symptoms associated with the condition are often present from birth, including congenital cataracts and other eye abnormalities; hypotonia (reduced muscle tone); and feeding difficulties. Affected people may also experience kidney problems (such as…

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that causes mucus to build up and damage organs in the body, particularly the lungs and pancreas. Signs and symptoms may include salty-tasting skin; persistent coughing; frequent lung infections; wheezing or shortness of breath; poor growth; weight loss; greasy, bulky stools; difficulty with bowel movements; and in males, infertility. Over time,…

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) is an inherited disorder in which one or more of the endocrine glands are overactive or form a tumor. Endocrine glands most commonly involved include:[1] Adrenal (about half the time) Parathyroid (20% of the time) Thyroid (almost all of the time) MEN2 is caused by a defect in the RET gene.[1][2] This defect…

The following summary is from Orphanet, a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Orpha Number: 289560 Definition A rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by iron accumulation in specific regions of the brain, usually the basal ganglia, and associated with slowly progressive pyramidal (spasticity) and extrapyramidal (dystonia) signs, motor axonal neuropathy, optic…

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) causes the progressive loss of nerve cells in the brain (a neurodegenerative disease). MSA affects several areas of the brain, including the cerebellum, which is involved in controlling movement and some emotions, as well as certain types of learning and memory, and the autonomic nervous system, which controls your body’s automatic, or…

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic condition that affects the skin, the skeleton and the part of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord peripheral nervous system). The main signs and symptoms of NF1 include dark colored spots on the skin (café-au-lait spots), benign growths along the nerves (neurofibromas), and freckles in…

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Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is a type of porphyria. Porphyrias are caused by an abnormality in the heme production process. Heme is essential in enabling our blood cells to carry oxygen and in breaking down chemical compounds in the liver. Erythropoietic protoporphyria is caused by pathogenic variants (mutations) in the FECH gene which lead to an impaired…

Inclusion body myopathy 2, also known as hereditary inclusion body myopathy (HIBM), GNE-related myopathy, distal myopathy with rimmed vacuoles, and Nonaka myopathy, is an inherited condition that primarily affects the skeletal muscles (the muscles that the body uses to move). This disorder is characterized by muscle weakness that appears in late adolescence or early adulthood and worsens over time.[1] Early…

Dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD) is an inherited type of dystonia that typically begins during childhood but may begin in adolescence or adulthood.[1] Depending on the specific type of DRD, specific symptoms can vary. Features can range from mild to severe. In most cases, dystonia begins in the lower limbs and spreads to the upper limbs over…

Addison’s disease occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough (or any) of the hormones, cortisol and aldosterone. These adrenal gland hormones are necessary for balancing water and energy in the body. Symptoms usually develop slowly over time, and may include fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and dark patches of skin. Sometimes symptoms…

Primary myelofibrosis is a condition characterized by the buildup of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the spongy tissue tissue inside the bone (bone marrow), the tissue that contains the stem cells that will produce blood cells. Because of the fibrosis, the bone marrow is unable to make enough normal blood cells. In myelofibrosis, the bone marrow…

Familial or sporadic hemiplegic migraine refers to a rare type of migraine with aura that occurs with motor weakness during the aura. The two types of hemiplegic migraine (HM) are distinguished based on the family history: familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM, in which at least one other family member has the condition) and sporadic hemiplegic migraine (SHM, in which there is no…

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is an inherited disorder characterized by the abnormal growth of both benign and cancerous tumors and cysts in many parts of the body. Tumors usually first appear in young adulthood. The types of tumors associated with VHL disease include hemangioblastomas (slow-growing tumors of the central nervous system); kidney cysts and clear…

46,XX testicular disorder of sex development is a condition in which a person with two X chromosomes (which is normally found in females) has a male appearance. More specifically, people with this condition have male external genitalia, ranging from normal to ambiguous. Other common signs and symptoms include small testes, gynecomastia, infertility due to azoospermia…

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a cancer that develops from the cells that line lymph or blood vessels. It usually appears as tumors on the skin or on mucosal surfaces such as inside the mouth, but tumors can also develop in other parts of the body (including the lymph nodes, lungs, or digestive tract). The abnormal…

Calciphylaxis is a disease in which blood vessels (veins and arteries) become blocked by a build-up of calcium in the walls of the vessels, preventing blood from flowing to the skin or internal organs. The lack of blood flow (ischemia) damages healthy tissue and causes it to die (necrosis). The most obvious and frequent symptom of…

Central diabetes insipidus (DI) is a form of DI that occurs when the body has lower than normal levels of antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin), which is characterized by frequent urination.[1][2] Diabetes insipidus is subdivided into central and nephrogenic DI. Two other forms are gestational DI and primary polydipsia (dipsogenic DI). Central DI results from damage to the…

Trisomy 13 is a type of chromosome disorder characterized by having 3 copies of chromosome 13 in cells of the body, instead of the usual 2 copies. In some people, only a portion of cells contains the extra chromosome 13 (called mosaic trisomy 13), whereas other cells contain the normal chromosome pair.[1][2][3] Trisomy 13 causes…

Classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (classic 21-OHD CAH) affects the adrenal glands which are responsible for producing specific hormones. There are two types of classic 21-OHD CAH, the salt-wasting form and the simple-virilizing form. Symptoms include abnormal development of the external sex organs in females (ambiguous genitalia), early puberty, and short stature. The…

Histidinemia is an inherited metabolic condition characterized by elevated levels of the amino acid histidine in blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid. In most cases, people with this condition have no health problems and may not even know that they are affected. Individuals with histidinemia who also experience a medical complication during or shortly after birth (such as…

Anencephaly is a type of neural tube defect characterized by abnormal development of the brain and the bones of the skull. The neural tube is a narrow channel that normally folds and closes between the 3rd and 4th weeks of pregnancy, forming the brain and spinal cord of the embryo. Anencephaly occurs when the ‘cephalic’…

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIC (MPS IIIC) is an genetic disorder that makes the body unable to break down large sugar molecules called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs, formerly called mucopolysaccharides).[1][2] Specifically, people with this condition are unable to break down a GAG called heparan sulfate.[2] Affected individuals can have severe neurological symptoms, including progressive dementia, aggressive behavior, hyperactivity, seizures, deafness, loss…

Adenosine deaminase deficiency (ADA deficiency) is an inherited condition that damages the immune system and is a common cause of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). People with SCID due to ADA deficiency are unable to fight off most types of infections, including bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Most people with ADA deficiency develop symptoms before 6…

Myotonic dystrophy is a disease that affects the muscles and other body systems. It is the most common form of muscular dystrophy that begins in adulthood, usually in a person’s 20s or 30s. This disease is characterized by progressive muscle loss and weakness. Myotonic dystrophy may be further classified into two types, and the two…

Ebstein’s anomaly is a rare heart defect in which parts of the tricuspid valve (which separates the right ventricle from the right atrium) are abnormal. The abnormality causes the tricuspid valve to leak blood backwards into the right atrium. The backup of blood flow can lead to heart swelling and fluid buildup in the lungs…

Variegate porphyria (VP) is an inherited disorder that is caused by mutations in the PPOX gene that lead to the build-up of compounds normally involved in the body’s production of heme.[1][2] Heme is an important part of hemoglobin, the protein in blood that carries oxygen throughout our bodies. It is used in all the body’s…

Russell-Silver syndrome (RSS) is a rare condition associated with poor growth both before and after birth.[1] Signs and symptoms vary and may include low birth weight, short stature, characteristic facial features, large head in relation to body size, body asymmetry, and feeding difficulties. Other features may include poor appetite, clinodactyly (curved finger), digestive system abnormalities, delayed…

Cold agglutinin disease is a rare type of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys its own red blood cells. When affected people’s blood is exposed to cold temperatures (32º to 50º F), certain proteins that normally attack bacteria (IgM antibodies) attach themselves to red blood cells and bind…

Short bowel syndrome is a disorder characterized by malabsorption of nutrients due to problems involving the small intestine.[1] The small intestine is the tube-shaped organ between the stomach and large intestine, which includes the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, where most food digestion and nutrient absorption take place. The causes of short bowel syndrome in adults…

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic metabolic disorder that increases the body’s levels of phenylalanine. Phenylalanine is one of the building blocks (amino acids) of proteins. Humans cannot make phenyalanine, but it is a natural part of the foods we eat. However, people do not need all the phenyalanine they eat, so the body converts extra…

Nail-patella syndrome causes changes in the nails, elbows, kneecaps (patellae), and hip bone. The most common symptom of the syndrome is having missing or underdeveloped fingernails and toenails. Other symptoms may include having small or missing kneecaps, underdeveloped elbows, and an extra small piece of bone on both sides of the hip (called iliac horns)….

The following summary is from Orphanet, a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Orpha Number: 93476 Definition Hurler-Scheie syndrome is the intermediate form of mucopolysaccharidosis type 1 (MPS1; see this term) between the two extremes Hurler syndrome and Scheie syndrome (see these terms); it is a rare lysosomal storage disease,…

Turner syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that affects development in females. It results when a female’s cells have one normal X chromosome and the other sex chromosome is either missing or structurally altered (females without Turner syndrome have two normal X chromosomes in each cell, and males have one X and one Y chromosome). Signs and symptoms…

Juvenile retinoschisis is an eye condition characterized by impaired vision that begins in childhood and occurs almost exclusively in males. The condition affects the retina, which is a specialized light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye. This affects the sharpness of vision. Central vision is more commonly affected. Vision often deteriorates early in…

Lysosomal acid lipase deficiency is a metabolic lipid storage disease.[1][2] Two rare conditions may result from this deficiency (likely representing two ends of a clinical spectrum):[1][3] Wolman disease: The early-onset and most severe form of the disease where lipids accumulate throughout the body, mostly in the liver, within the first weeks of life. Symptoms include…

Jervell Lange-Nielsen syndrome (JLNS) is an inherited disorder characterized by deafness present at birth and abnormalities of the electrical system of the heart. It is a form of long QT syndrome. This refers to the QT interval measurement seen on the electrocardiogram. The severity of cardiac symptoms seen in individuals varies from no apparent symptoms to increasing…

Joubert syndrome is disorder of brain development that may affect many parts of the body. It is characterized by the absence or underdevelopment of the cerebellar vermis (a part of the brain that controls balance and coordination) and a malformed brain stem (connection between the brain and spinal cord). Together, these cause the characteristic appearance of…

Choroideremia is a genetic condition that causes vision loss. This disorder typically affects males. The first symptom is usually impairment of night vision (night blindness), which can occur in childhood. People with this disorder also experience narrowing of the field of vision (tunnel vision) and decrease in the ability to see details (visual acuity). The…

Ocular albinism type 1 (OA1) is a genetic eye condition that primarily affects males. Signs and symptoms may include reduced coloring of the iris and retina (ocular hypopigmentation); foveal hypoplasia (underdevelopment); rapid, involuntary eye movements (nystagmus); poor vision; poor depth perception; eyes that do not look in the same direction (strabismus); and increased sensitivity to…

Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease is an infectious condition caused by certain types of mycobacteria. Some people with NTM lung disease have no signs or symptoms, while others experience a severe cough, hemoptysis (coughing up blood), shortness of breath, fatigue, fever, night sweats and/or weightloss. Mycobacteria are found naturally in soil and water. Most people…

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a disease characterized by recurrent episodes (also called attacks) of severe swelling of the skin and mucous membranes.[1] The age at which attacks begin varies, but most people have their first one in childhood or adolescence.[2] The frequency of attacks usually increases after puberty. Attacks most often affect 3 parts of…

Sickle cell anemia is a disease in which the body produces abnormally shaped red blood cells that have a crescent or sickle shape. These cells do not last as long as normal, round, red blood cells, which leads to anemia (low number of red blood cells). The sickle cells also get stuck in blood vessels, blocking blood flow.[1] Signs…

Myotonic dystrophy type 2, one of the two types of myotonic dystrophy, is an inherited muscular dystrophy that affects the muscles and other body systems (e.g., heart, eyes, and pancreas). It is characterized by prolonged muscle tensing (myotonia) as well as muscle weakness, pain, and stiffness. Signs and symptoms usually develop during a person’s twenties…

Duane syndrome affects the ability of the eye to move from side to side. Symptoms include restricted movement of eye outward and/or inward and the eyeball may be pulled back into the socket. In addition, the opening of the eye may be narrow. Some people with Duane syndrome develop “lazy eye” (amblyopia), a condition that…

Eisenmenger syndrome (ES) refers to the combination of a type of high blood pressure that affects the blood vessels of the lungs and heart (pulmonary hypertension), and abnormal blood flow through the heart.[1][2] ES most often occurs in people who are born with a heart defect (congenital heart defect) that does not get repaired in…

Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) affects multiple body systems and includes bleeding and visual problems, and abnormally light coloring of the skin, hair, and eyes (oculocutaneous albinism). Other symptoms may include immune problems, lung scarring (pulmonary fibrosis), and colitis. Symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis may get worse over time, and people with HPS are at increased risk for skin cancer. There…

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a condition characterized by variable injury or damage to the intestinal tract, causing death of intestinal tissue.[1][2] The condition most often occurs in premature newborns, but it may also occur in term or near-term babies.[2] Signs and symptoms may include abdominal distension, bloody stools, vomiting bile-stained fluid, and pneumatosis intestinalis (gas…

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a condition in which tissues in the lungs become thick and stiff, or scarred, over time. The lungs then lose their ability to move oxygen to the brain and other parts of the body. Common symptoms include shortness of breath and a dry, hacking cough. In some cases fibrosis happens…

Pseudocholinesterase deficiency is a condition that causes increased sensitivity to certain muscle relaxant drugs used during general anesthesia (choline esters). These drugs relax the muscles used for movement, including those used for breathing. Normally, the muscles are able to move again a few minutes after the drugs are given. People with pseudocholinesterase deficiency may not be…

47 XXX syndrome, also called trisomy X or triple X syndrome, is characterized by the presence of an additional (third) X chromosome in each of a female’s cells (which normally have two X chromosomes). An extra copy of the X chromosome is associated with tall stature, learning problems, and other features in some girls and women. Seizures or…

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Noonan syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes abnormal development of multiple parts of the body. Features of Noonan syndrome may include a distinctive facial appearance, short stature, a broad or webbed neck, congenital heart defects, bleeding problems, problems with bone structure (skeletal malformations), and developmental delay.[1][2] Noonan syndrome may be caused by a mutation…

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) leads to the growth of non-cancerous and cancerous tumors. The symptoms include basal cell cancers, jaw cysts, skin pits on the hands and feet, and abnormal deposits of calcium in the brain. Other symptoms may include bone abnormalities of the spine, ribs, or skull, and a large head. Some of…

X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is an inherited disorder characterized by low levels of phosphate in the blood. Phosphate levels are low because phosphate is abnormally processed in the kidneys, which causes a loss of phosphate in the urine (phosphate wasting) and leads to soft, weak bones (rickets). XLH is usually diagnosed in childhood. Features include bowed…

Central core disease (CCD) is an inherited condition that involves muscle weakness, skeletal abnormalities, and an increased chance of having a severe reaction to some anesthesia medications. Muscle weakness ranges from mild to severe and typically affects muscles in the trunk and upper legs, though muscles in the neck and face can also be affected.[1][2] Skeletal abnormalities…

Klippel Feil syndrome (KFS) is a condition affecting the development of the bones in the spine. People with KFS are born with abnormal fusion of at least two spinal bones (vertebrae) in the neck. Common features may include a short neck, low hairline at the back of the head, and restricted movement of the upper spine….

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Lesch Nyhan syndrome is a condition characterized by neurological and behavioral abnormalities and the overproduction of uric acid in the body. It occurs almost exclusively in males. Signs and symptoms may include inflammatory arthritis (gout), kidney stones, bladder stones, and moderate cognitive disability. Nervous system and behavioral disturbances also occur, such as involuntary muscle movements…

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Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) deficiency is a rare inherited condition that affects the nervous system. There are three different forms of the condition that vary in severity. The mild form is called TH-deficient dopa-responsive dystonia and typically develops between age twelve months and six years. The two severe forms, which are called infantile parkinsonism and progressive infantile encephalopathy, often begin shortly…

Dermatomyositis is an autoimmune condition that causes skin changes and muscle weakness. Symptoms can include a red skin rash around the eyelids, red bumps around the joints, and muscle weakness in the arms and legs. Dermatomyositis is most common in adults between ages 40 and 60, or in children between ages 5 and 15. Muscle weakness…

Lambert Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is a disorder of the neuromuscular junction. The neuromuscular junction is the site where nerve cells meet muscle cells and help activate the muscles.[1] This syndrome occurs when antibodies interfere with electrical impulses between the nerve and muscle cells. It may be associated with other autoimmune diseases, or more commonly…

Alkaptonuria is an inherited condition that causes urine to turn black when exposed to air. The three major features of alkaptonuria are the presence of dark urine, ochronosis, a buildup of dark pigment in connective tissues such as cartilage and skin, and arthritis of the spine and larger joints. Ochronosis starts after age 30 and…

Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a rare disorder affecting the skin and nervous system. Babies with SWS are born with a birthmark on their face known as a port-wine stain. Port-wine birthmarks are caused by enlarged blood vessels right underneath the skin. People with Sturge-Weber syndrome also have clusters of abnormal blood vessels between the layers…

Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is an eye disorder that primarily affects the retina. People with this condition typically have severe visual impairment beginning in infancy. Other features include photophobia, involuntary movements of the eyes (nystagmus), and extreme farsightedness. The pupils also do not react normally to light. Additionally, the cornea may be cone-shaped and abnormally thin (keratoconus)….

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a degenerative neurologic disease due to damage to nerve cells in the brain.[1] Signs and symptoms vary but may include loss of balance; blurring of vision; problems controlling eye movement; changes in mood, behavior and judgment; cognitive decline; and slowing and slurred speech. PSP is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson disease…

West syndrome is characterized by a specific type of seizure (infantile spasms) seen in infancy and childhood. This syndrome leads to developmental regression and causes a specific pattern, known as hypsarrhythmia (chaotic brain waves), on electroencephalography (EEG) testing. The infantile spasms usually begin in the first year of life, typically between 4-8 months. The seizures primarily consist of a sudden…

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A (LGMD2A) is an autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy characterized by progressive, symmetrical weakness of the proximal limb and girdle muscles (mainly those around the hips and shoulders) without heart involvement or intellectual disability.[1][2] The condition is caused by mutations in the CAPN3 gene. Type 2A is the most common form of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, accounting…

MURCS association stands for (MU)llerian, (R)enal, (C)ervicothoracic (S)omite abnormalities and is a developmental disorder that primarily affects the reproductive and urinary systems. Most individuals with MURCS association are female, although males can also have this condition. Females with MURCS association can have an absent or abnormally shaped uterus. In rare cases, the vagina is also…

Classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a genetic connective tissue disorder that is caused by defects in a protein called collagen. Common symptoms include skin hyperextensibility, abnormal wound healing, and joint hypermobility.[1][2] More than 90% of people with classical EDS have mutations in COL5A1 or COL5A2, two genes which encode type V collagen. In rare cases, mutations in the…

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a group of disorders characterized by low levels of a type of protein known as immunoglobulins (Ig). Because of low level of Ig, the immune system cannot make antibodies that fight bacteria, viruses or other toxins in the body.[1] This leads to frequent infections, particularly in the sinuses, lungs, and…

Lamellar ichthyosis is a rare genetic condition that affects the skin. Infants affected by lamellar ichthyosis are generally born with a shiny, waxy layer of skin (called a collodian membrane) that is typically shed within the first two weeks of life. The skin beneath the collodian membrane is red and scaly. Other signs and symptoms…

Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is a brain disorder that worsens over time. It can lead to involuntary movements, mental and emotional problems, and a decline in thinking ability. Symptoms usually appear around 30 years of age, but can occur anytime from infancy to mid-adulthood. Specific signs and symptoms may differ and include seizures, issues with balance…

The following summary is from Orphanet, a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Orpha Number: 926 Definition A rare congenital disorder resulting from a deficiency in erythrocyte catalase, an enzyme responsible for the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide. Epidemiology The disorder is very rare in the general population with an estimated…

Refsum disease is an inherited condition that causes vision loss, loss of smell (anosmia), and a variety of other signs and symptoms. The vision loss associated with Refsum disease is caused by an eye disorder called retinitis pigmentosa. Other features can include bone abnormalities of the hands and feet; progressive muscle weakness and wasting; poor…

Spinocerebellar ataxia 7 (SCA7) is an inherited disease of the central nervous system that leads to impairment of specific nerve fibers carrying messages to and from the brain, resulting in degeneration of the cerebellum (the coordination center of the brain). SCA7 differs from most other forms of SCA in that visual problems, rather than poor…

Dominant optic atrophy (DOA) is an inherited optic nerve disorder characterized by degeneration of the optic nerves.[1][2] It typically starts during the first decade of life. Affected people usually develop moderate visual loss and color vision defects. The severity varies and visual acuity can range from normal to legal blindness. About 20% of people with…

Paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia (PNKD) is a disorder of the nervous system that causes periods of involuntary movement. Common symptoms include irregular, jerking or shaking movements, prolonged contraction of muscles, chorea, and/or writhing movements of the limb.[1][2] Symptoms usually last between 1 and 4 hours.[1] The movements may have no known trigger or be brought on by…

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a disease of the large intestine or colon. People with this disease do not have the nerve cells in the intestine required to pass stools from the body normally. Symptoms of Hirschsprung disease usually start in very young children, but may occur later. The symptoms may vary with age, but often involve…

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a complication of transplantation in which there is uncontrolled growth of lymphocytes.[1][2] It occurs in people whose immune systems have been intentionally suppressed due to having a solid organ transplant or hematopoietic stem cell transplant.[1] The severity of PTLD can range from causing a mild, noncancerous (benign) overgrowth of tissue, to…

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Progressive pseudorheumatoid disyplasia (PPD) is a disorder of bone and cartilage that affects many joints. It manifests between the age of 3 and 6 years with joint pain and progressive joint stiffness. Major signs and symptoms include stiff joints (contractures), short stature, and widening of the ends of the finger and toe bones as well as other tubular…

Glycine encephalopathy is an inherited metabolic disease characterized by abnormally high levels of an amino acid called glycine. Glycine is a chemical messenger that transmits signals in the brain.[1][2] According to the symptoms the disease onset, glycine encephalopathy may be divided in:[3][2] Classical neonatal form (most common): Symptoms start within a few days of life and…

Hereditary multiple osteochondromas (HMO), also called hereditary multiple exostoses, is a genetic disorder that causes the development of multiple, cartilage-covered tumors on the external surfaces of bones (osteochondromas). The osteochondromas typically become apparent during childhood or adolescence, and the number, size and location of osteochondromas varies from person to person. Signs and symptoms may include pain,…

Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RTS) is a syndrome characterized by broad thumbs and toes, short stature, distinctive facial features, and varying degrees of intellectual disability. The syndrome may be caused by a mutation in the CREBBP or EP300 gene, or as the result of a very small loss (microdeletion) of genetic material from the short (p) arm of chromosome…

Polycystic liver disease is an inherited condition characterized by many cysts of various sizes scattered throughout the liver. Abdominal discomfort from swelling of the liver may occur; however, most affected individuals do not have any symptoms. In some cases, polycystic liver disease appears to occur randomly, with no apparent cause. Most cases are inherited in an…

C syndrome, also known as Opitz trigonocephaly syndrome, is characterized by trigonocephaly, severe intellectual disability, hypotonia, variable cardiac defects, redundant (extra folds of) skin, joint and limb abnormalities, and unusual facial features such as upslanted palpebral fissures (upward pointing outside corners of the eyes), epicanthal folds, depressed nasal bridge, and low-set, posteriorly rotated ears. This…

The following summary is from Orphanet, a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Orpha Number: 3109 Definition Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome describes a spectrum of Mullerian duct anomalies characterized by congenital aplasia of the uterus and upper 2/3 of the vagina in otherwise phenotypically normal females. It can be classified as…

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Acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP) is a rare and serious condition that affects the lungs. The signs and symptoms generally develop and progress rapidly. In the early stages of the condition, affected people may experience upper respiratory and/or viral-like symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, and fever. This is followed by the rapid onset of…

Cutaneous Tcell lymphomas (CTCLs) are a group of disorders characterized by an abnormal accumulation of cancerous T-cells (a type of white blood cells) in the skin resulting in an itchy, red rash that can thicken or form a tumor. CTCLs belong to a larger group of disorders known asnon-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. The most common types are mycosis fungoides and Sézary…

Blue cone monochromatism is an inherited vision disorder. In this condition, the light sensitive cells in the eye used for color vision (cones) are affected. There are three types of cones that respond to one of three colors: red, green, and blue. When people have blue cone monochromatism, both the red and green cones do…

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (MD1), one of the two types of myotonic dystrophy, is an inherited type of muscular dystrophy that affects the muscles and other body systems (e.g., heart, eyes, endocrine system, and central nervous system).[1] MD1 has three forms that somewhat overlap: the mild form, classic form, and congenital form (present at birth). The mild form…

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) leads to the growth of hundreds to thousands of non-cancerous (benign) polyps in the colon and rectum. Overtime, the polyps can become cancerous (malignant), leading to colorectal cancer at an average age of 39 years. Symptoms of FAP may include dental abnormalities, tumors of the connective tissue (desmoid tumors), and benign…

Kleine Levin syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive sleep (hypersomnia) along with cognitive and behavioral changes. Affected individuals may sleep for up to 20 hours per day during an episode. These episodes usually last for a few days to a few weeks. An episode may start abruptly and is sometimes preceded by an upper-respiratory-type…

Familial pancreatic cancer (FPC) is the occurrence of pancreatic cancer in two or more first-degree relatives (parent and child, or two siblings). It is sometimes referred to as FPC only when there is not a known hereditary cancer syndrome in an affected family.[1] In familial cases, pancreatic cancer often occurs before age 50 (earlier than other forms of…

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a form of vasculitis, a group of disorders that cause inflammation of blood vessels. GCA most commonly affects the arteries of the head (especially the temporal arteries, located on each side of the head), but arteries in other areas of the body can also become inflamed. The inflammation causes the…