home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- $Unique_ID{BRK03925}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Leiner Disease}
- $Subject{Leiner Disease Erythroderma Desquamativum Erythrodermia Desquamativa
- Leiner Leiner-Moussous Desquamative Erythroderma Severe Infantile Dermatitis
- Sweet Syndrome }
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1987, 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
-
- 362:
- Leiner Disease
-
- ** IMPORTANT **
- It is possible the main title of the article (Leiner Disease) is not the
- name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the alternate
- names, disorder subdivisions, and related disorders covered by this article.
-
- Synonyms
-
- Erythroderma Desquamativum, in infants
- Erythrodermia Desquamativa Leiner
- Leiner-Moussous Desquamative Erythroderma
- Severe Infantile Dermatitis
-
- Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
- Disorders section of this report:
-
- Ritter Disease, also known as Dermatitis Exfoliative Neonatorum
- Sweet Syndrome
-
- 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.
-
-
- Leiner Disease is a skin disorder which usually first appears during the
- first two months of life. A reddish skin patch of thickened skin appears
- first on the buttocks and spreads to other parts of the infant's body.
- Scaling and peeling may occur with anemia, itching and diarrhea. The redness
- and scaliness usually decrease after a few weeks with treatment.
-
- Symptoms
-
- The initial symptom of Leiner Disease is thick reddish skin appearing first
- on the buttocks and soon involving the entire body. Redness (occasionally in
- patches) may be followed after a few days by crusty, dry, moist or greasy
- scaling on the scalp. Scaling may also appear behind ears, on the nose,
- eyebrows or around the mouth. In some cases, thin sheets of skin may peel
- from these areas. The skin symptoms usually decrease in a few weeks with
- treatment. Loss of protein or salts (electrolytes) can result from skin
- infections left untreated. Anemia, itching and diarrhea are also symptoms of
- this disorder.
-
- Causes
-
- Leiner Disease is inherited by an undetermined method of transmission. This
- disorder may also be influenced by unknown toxic substances either passed to
- infants through breast milk or originating in their intestinal tracts. A
- modification of blood complement C5 which governs the body's reaction to
- infection can also be a factor in the causes of this disorder. Some
- researchers believe Leiner Disease to be a variant of Ritter Disease. (See
- Ritter Disease in the Related Disorders section of this report).
-
- Affected Population
-
- Leiner Disease is a rare disorder which usually affects infants during the
- first two months of life. Breast-fed infants seem to have a higher incidence
- of this disorder than those who are on formulas. Males and females can be
- affected in equal numbers.
-
- Related Disorders
-
- Ritter Disease (Dermatitis Exfoliativa Neonatorum) is a skin disorder of
- infants usually caused by a bacterial infection. Reddened skin may peel
- leaving raw areas which heal in dry crusty yellow patches. This disorder may
- follow upper respiratory infections, impetigo, or other improperly treated
- skin infections.
-
- Sweet Syndrome is a skin disorder affecting adults which is characterized
- initially by general discomfort. Symptoms include small tender or painful
- skin lesions and fever. Circular bluish-red plaques appear on the arms,
- face, neck, legs, and less commonly on the legs and trunk. Careful treatment
- can usually clear up skin lesions without scarring. This disorder occurs
- mainly in middle-aged females. The exact cause of Sweet Syndrome is unknown.
-
- Therapies: Standard
-
- Treatment of infants with Leiner Disease usually involves a controlled
- environment, such as hospitalization; to avoid complications due to
- nutritional deficiencies and skin infections. After a few weeks, redness and
- scaliness decrease with careful treatment and do not usually recur. Ten
- percent of cases may be fatal as a result of uncontrolled infection or severe
- loss of electrolytes.
-
- Therapies: Investigational
-
- This disease entry is based upon medical information available through March
- 1987. 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 Leiner Disease, please contact:
-
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
- P.O. Box 8923
- New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
- (203) 746-6518
-
- The National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information
- Clearinghouse
- Box AMS
- Bethesda, MD 20892
- (301) 495-4484
-
- For information on genetics and genetic counseling referrals, please,
- contact:
-
- 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
-
- INHERITED DISORDERS OF COMPLEMENT: Lyn Guenther; J Am Acad Dermatol (December
- 1983, issue 9(6)). Pp. 815-839.
-
- YEAST OPSONIZATION DEFECT AND IMMUNOGLOBULIN DEFICIENCY IN SEVERE
- INFANTILE DERMATITIS (LEINER'S DISEASE): D.I. Evans, et. al.; Arch Dis
- Child (September 1977, issue 52 (9)). Pp. 691-695.
-
-