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$Unique_ID{BRK03885}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Jarcho-Levin Syndrome}
$Subject{Jarcho-Levin Syndrome Spondylothoracic Dysplasia Spondylocostal
Dysplasia - Type I Thanatophoric Dysplasia }
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1989, 1992 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
704:
Jarcho-Levin Syndrome
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Jarcho-Levin Syndrome)
is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the
alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Spondylothoracic Dysplasia
Spondylocostal Dysplasia - Type I
Information on the following disease can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Thanatophoric Dysplasia
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Jarcho-Levin Syndrome is a progressive genetic disorder characterized by
deformities of the head, face, thorax, spine and hands.
Symptoms
Jarcho-Levin Syndrome is characterized by multiple deformities that may
include a broad forehead, a wide nasal bridge, nostrils that are tipped
forward (antiverted nares), upwardly slanted eyelids, and an enlarged
posterior skull. There may also be a short neck, thorax (the area between
the neck and the diaphragm) and trunk, respiratory difficulties, rib
deformities, and spinal abnormalities such as neural defects and multiple
missing vertebrae. The fingers are usually webbed (syndactyly), elongated
and permanently bent (campodactyly). Occasionally distention of the stomach
and pelvis may occur due to an obstruction of the bladder. Undescended
testicles, absent external genitalia, a double uterus, closed or absent anal
and bladder openings, a single umbilical artery, and defects of the brain may
also be present.
Causes
The exact cause of Jarcho-Levin Syndrome is unknown. It is believed to be
inherited through autosomal recessive genes. There is also a mild variant
thought to be transmitted very rarely through an autosomal dominant gene.
Human traits, including the classic genetic diseases, are the product of
the interaction of two genes, one received from the father and one from the
mother.
In dominant disorders a single copy of the disease gene (received from
either the mother or father) will be expressed "dominating" the other normal
gene and resulting in appearance of the disease. The risk of transmitting
the disorder from affected parent to offspring is fifty percent for each
pregnancy regardless of the sex of the resulting child.
In recessive disorders, the condition does not appear unless a person
inherits the same defective gene for the same trait from each parent. If a
person receives one normal gene and one gene for the disease, the person will
be a carrier for the disease, but usually will show no symptoms. The risk of
transmitting the disease to the children of a couple, both of whom are
carriers for a recessive disorder, is twenty-five percent. Fifty percent of
their children will be carriers, but healthy as described above. Twenty-five
percent of their children will receive both normal genes, one from each
parent, and will be genetically normal.
Affected Population
Jarcho-Levin Syndrome is a very rare disorder that affects males and females
in equal numbers. There seems to be a higher incidence of this disorder in
people with Spanish heritage.
Related Disorders
Some of the symptoms of the following disorder may be similar to those of
Jarcho-Levin Syndrome:
Thanatophoric Dysplasia is a progressive genetic disorder that is
characterized by severe growth deficiencies, a large head (hydrocephalus), a
low nasal bridge, and small face. There may also be a small thorax with
short ribs, short flattened vertebrae, obstruction of the kidney
(hydronephrosis), and a closed or absent anus (atresia).
Therapies: Standard
Treatment of Jarcho-Levin Syndrome is sympathetic and supportive. Genetic
counseling may be of benefit for families of people with this disorder.
Therapies: Investigational
The Titanium Rib Project is underway to implant expandable ribs in patients
with disorders involving missing, underdeveloped or otherwise malformed ribs
cages, ribs or chest walls. Absent areas due to surgery or birth defects,
fused ribs or hypoplastic chests may be improved using the titanium ribs
which can be expanded as the child grows. Interested persons may contact:
Dr. Robert Campbell
Santa Rosa Children's Hospital
519 W. Hopuston St.
San Antonio, TX 78207-3198
(512) 567-5125
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
September 1992. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to
keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and
accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for
the most current information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Jarcho-Levin Syndrome, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHHD)
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
For genetic information and genetic counseling referrals:
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
(914) 428-7100
Alliance of Genetic Support Groups
35 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 440
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(800) 336-GENE
(301) 652-5553
References
MENDELIAN INHERITANCE IN MAN, 7th ed.: Victor A. McKusick; Johns Hopkins
University Press, 1986. Pp. 1226, 179.
SMITH'S RECOGNIZABLE PATTERNS OF HUMAN MALFORMATION, 4th ed.: Kenneth L.
Jones, M.D.; W.B. Saunders Co., 1988. Pp. 536.
PRENATAL FINDINGS IN A CASE OF SPONDYLOCOSTAL DYSPLASIA I (JARCHO-LEVIN)
SYNDROME). R. Romero et al.; OBSTET GYNECOL (June 1988; Issue 6 (2)).
Pp. 988.
NEURAL DEFECTS IN JARCHO-LEVIN SYNDROME. M.G. Reyes et al.; J CHILD
NEUROL, (January 1989; Issue 4 (1)). Pp. 51.