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$Unique_ID{BRK04201}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome}
$Subject{Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome Rubinstein Syndrome Broad Thumbs and Great
Toes, Characteristic Facies, Mental Retardation Broad Thumb-Hallux Syndrome
Hallerman-Streiff-Francois Syndrome Bird-Headed Dwarf of Seckel Treacher
Collins Syndrome }
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1987, 1989, 1992 National Organization for Rare Disorders,
Inc.
461:
Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome)
is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing on the next
page to find alternate names, disorder subdivisions, and related disorders
covered by this article.
Synonyms
Rubinstein Syndrome
Broad Thumbs and Great Toes, Characteristic Facies, Mental Retardation
Broad Thumb-Hallux Syndrome
Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Hallermann-Streiff-Francois Syndrome
Bird-Headed Dwarf of Seckel
Treacher Collins 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.
Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder usually recognizable
at birth due to unusual facial features and abnormally wide thumbs and great
toes. Mental retardation, small stature, excessive hair growth over the
entire body (hirsutism), and various developmental abnormalities may occur.
This disorder is not yet clearly distinguished from several other closely
related disorders.
Symptoms
Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome is present at birth. Major symptoms include a
beaked nose, abnormally small skull, a narrow, prominent forehead, and broad
thumbs and great toes. The roof of the mouth (palate) is unusually high and
narrow. The ears may be low-set and possibly abnormal in shape. Mental
retardation may be present. Additional abnormalities which may be exhibited
by some patients include excessive hairiness (hirsutism), abnormal curvature
of the spine (scoliosis), undescended testicles and/or an angulated penis in
males, and congenital heart disease. Eye defects may include blocked or
missing tear ducts, and/or eyes not looking in the same direction
(strabismus). A small, irregularly-shaped pelvis, kidney, and lung defects
may also occur in some individuals.
Feeding difficulties, respiratory problems, eye and ear infections,
diarrhea, and chronic constipation are common occurrences. Regurgitation,
vomiting, gagging, or choking are very common. With time, many patients with
this disorder seem to outgrow these problems. Usually their health tends to
improve greatly after approximately four or five years of age.
Causes
The exact cause of Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome is not known. Scientists
believe it is inherited, although the exact mode of transmission has not yet
been determined. It is possible that some cases may be caused by a genetic
mutation affecting only one generation.
Affected Population
Since Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome was first described by Doctors Rubinstein and
Taybi in 1963, more than 250 cases have been reported in the medical
literature in the United States. According to one study, it may affect
approximately one in 300 to 500 institutionalized persons with mental
retardation in the United States. There is no estimate for the prevalence
among non-institution patients. This disorder affects males and females in
equal numbers.
Related Disorders
Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Rubinstein-
Taybi Syndrome. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
Hallermann-Streiff-Francois Syndrome, also known as Mandibulo-Oculofacial
Dyscephaly, is a syndrome characterized by bony abnormalities of the skull
(calvaria), face, and jaw. Patients have a bird-like face with a narrow,
curved nose, and a variety of eye defects including abnormally small eyeballs
(microphthalmia), abnormally small corneas, and cataracts. A congenital loss
of hair (Alopecia Areata) and thinned or absent eyebrows may also occur.
This disorder is also called congenital sutural alopecia, progeria (premature
aging) with cataract or with microphthalmia, oculomandibulodyscephaly, or
Hallermann-Streiff Syndrome. (For more information on this disorder, choose
"Hallermann" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.
Bird-Headed Dwarf of Seckel, also known as Nanocephaly, is a genetic
disorder characterized by a low birth weight, a slender body, limited height,
a beak-like nose, protrusion of the central face, receding chin, possible
abnormalities of skin pigmentation, and excessive hair growth
(hypertrichosis). Mental development rarely passes the five year old level,
and males may have undescended testicles. (For more information on this
disease, choose "Seckel" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)
Treacher Collins Syndrome, also known as Franceschetti-Zwahlen-Klein
Syndrome or Mandibulofacial Dysostosis, is a genetic disorder marked by
arrested development, and defective bone formation during the prenatal
period. A bird-like or fish-like facial appearance may be accompanied by
sunken cheek bones, a receding chin with a large wide mouth, low-set and
possibly malformed ears, abnormal angle of the nose, abnormal tooth
development, and prolongation of the hairline on the cheeks. Loss of
hearing, fusion of joints in the limbs and spine, atrophy of thumbs and
toes, possible mental retardation, and a defect of the lower eye lids
(coloboma) may also occur. (For more information on this disorder, choose
"Treacher" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)
Therapies: Standard
Treatment of Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome is symptomatic and supportive.
Patients may benefit from services for mentally retarded individuals. Speech
therapy, sign language lessons, or an alternative method of communication
should be taught as soon as possible. Drugs or surgery may improve some
associated symptoms. Antibiotics may be helpful to treat infections.
Genetic counseling will be of benefit for patients and their families.
Therapies: Investigational
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
January 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 Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
Rubinstein-Taybi Parent Support Group
414 E. Kansas
Smith Center, KS 66967
(913) 282-6237
For case documentation of Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome patients:
Jack H. Rubinstein, Director
Cincinnati Center for Developmental Disorders
Cincinnati, OH 45229-2899
NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 496-5133
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
RUBINSTEIN-TAYBI SYNDROME: FURTHER EVIDENCE OF A GENETIC AETIOLOGY: D.R.
Gillies, et al.; Dev Med Child Neurol (December 1985, issue 27(6)). Pp. 751-
755.
DOMINANT INHERITANCE OF A SYNDROME SIMILAR TO RUBINSTEIN-TAYBI: P
Cotsirilos, et al.; Am J Med Genet (January 1987, issue 26(1)). Pp. 85-93.
RUBINSTEIN-TAYBI SYNDROME IN THE NEONATE: R. Gambon, et al.; Helv
Paediatr Acta (August 1984, issue 39(3)). Pp. 279-283.