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Aarskog syndrome
Facial-digital-genital syndrome
Aarskog syndrome is a disease that affects a person's height, muscles, skeleton, genitals, and appearance. It is passed down through families (inherited).
Causes
Aarskog syndrome is a genetic disorder that is linked to the X chromosome. It affects mainly males, but females may have a milder form. The condition is caused by changes (mutations) in a gene called "faciogenital dysplasia" ( FGD1 ).
Symptoms
Symptoms of this condition include:
- Belly button that sticks out
- Bulge in the groin or scrotum
- Delayed sexual maturity
- Delayed teeth
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Downward
palpebral slant
to eyes (palpebral slant is the direction of the slant from the outer to inner corner of the eye)
Palpebral slant
The palpebral slant is the direction of the slant of a line that goes from the outer corner of the eye to the inner corner.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Hairline with a "widow's peak"
- Mildly sunken chest
- Mild to moderate mental problems
- Mild to moderate short height which may not be obvious until the child is 1 to 3 years old
- Poorly developed middle section of the face
- Rounded face
- Scrotum surrounds the penis (shawl scrotum)
- Short fingers and toes with mild webbing
- Single crease in the palm of the hand
- Small, broad hands and feet with short fingers and curved-in fifth finger
- Small nose with nostrils tipped forward
- Testicles that have not come down (undescended)
- Top portion of the ear folded over slightly
- Wide groove above the upper lip, crease below the lower lip
- Wide-set eyes with droopy eyelids
Exams and Tests
These tests may be done:
- Genetic testing for mutations in the FGD1 gene
- X-rays
Treatment
Moving the teeth may be done to treat some of the abnormal facial features a person with Aarskog syndrome may have.
Support Groups
The MAGIC Foundation for Children's Growth is a support group for Aarskog syndrome: www.magicfoundation.org .
Outlook (Prognosis)
Some people may have some mental slowness, but children with this condition often have good social skills. Some males may have problems with fertility.
Possible Complications
These complications can occur:
- Changes in the brain
- Difficulty growing in the first year of life
- Poorly aligned teeth
- Seizures
- Undescended testicles
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if your child has delayed growth or if you notice any symptoms of Aarskog syndrome. Seek genetic counseling if you have a family history of Aarskog syndrome. Contact a genetic specialist if your provider thinks you or your child may have Aarskog syndrome.
Prevention
Genetic testing may be available for people with a family history of the condition or a known mutation of the gene that causes it.
References
Jones KL, Jones MC, Del Campo M. Moderate short stature, facial and genital. In: Jones KL, Jones MC, Del Campo M, eds. Smith's Recognizable Patterns of Human Malformation . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:chap D.
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The face - illustration
The physical landmarks of the human face are very similar from one face to another.
The face
illustration
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Pectus excavatum - illustration
Pectus excavatum is a condition in which the "breast bone" (sternum) appears sunken and the chest concave. It is sometimes called "funnel chest". The majority of these cases are not associated with any other condition (isolated findings). However, some genetic conditions include pectus excavatum.
Pectus excavatum
illustration
-
The face - illustration
The physical landmarks of the human face are very similar from one face to another.
The face
illustration
-
Pectus excavatum - illustration
Pectus excavatum is a condition in which the "breast bone" (sternum) appears sunken and the chest concave. It is sometimes called "funnel chest". The majority of these cases are not associated with any other condition (isolated findings). However, some genetic conditions include pectus excavatum.
Pectus excavatum
illustration
Review Date: 10/27/2015
Reviewed By: Chad Haldeman-Englert, MD, FACMG, Fullerton Genetics Center, Asheville, NC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
