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- $Unique_ID{BRK04237}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Stickler Syndrome}
- $Subject{Stickler Syndrome Arthro-Ophthalmopathy Epiphyseal Changes and High
- Myopia Ophthalmoarthropathy Weissenbacher-Zweymuller Syndrome Marfan Syndrome
- Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita Wagner Syndrome }
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1987, 1990, National Organization for Rare Disorders,
- Inc.
-
- 421:
- Stickler Syndrome
-
- ** IMPORTANT **
- It is possible the main title of the article (Stickler 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
-
- Arthro-Ophthalmopathy
- Epiphyseal Changes and High Myopia
- Ophthalmoarthropathy
- Weissenbacher-Zweymuller Syndrome
-
- Information on the following disorders can be found in the Related
- Disorders section of this report:
-
- Marfan Syndrome
- Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita
- Wagner 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.
-
-
- Stickler Syndrome is a genetic disorder inherited as a dominant trait.
- This disorder is characterized by congenital abnormalities of the eye, a
- small jaw, and a cleft palate. Degenerative changes in some joints with bone
- abnormalities may occur early in life. With early treatment, the prognosis
- may be favorable.
-
- Symptoms
-
- Initial symptoms of Stickler Syndrome may include a broad, flat, sunken
- bridge of the nose which makes the face look flattened. A cleft palate and
- small jaw (the Pierre Robin anomaly) may also be present. In addition,
- sensorineural deafness may develop. Eye defects may include a high degree of
- nearsightedness (myopia), irregularities of the lens (astigmatism), and
- changes of the optic disk (where the optic nerve enters the retina).
- Cataracts, detachment of the retina and blindness may develop during the
- first decade of life. A form of glaucoma called glaucoma simplex may also
- occur.
-
- Bone abnormalities in joints such as the ankles, knees and wrists usually
- occur. During childhood, patients may experience stiffness and soreness
- after strenuous exercise. Swelling, redness and a feeling of heat may occur
- occasionally, leading to cracking (crepitation) and temporary locking of
- joints. Irregularities may be seen on X-rays of the joint surfaces, usually
- in the vertebral column and the knees. Incomplete dislocation (subluxation)
- of the hips is another frequent finding. Abnormal development of the
- cartilage at the ends of long bones (epiphyseal plate) may occur, and loose
- bony cartilage particles can be present in the joint. Joint
- hyperextensibility of the finger, knee, and elbow may occur as well as
- tapering fingers.
-
- Causes
-
- Stickler Syndrome is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait that may be
- expressed in mild, moderate or severe forms. (Human traits including the
- classic genetic diseases, are the product of the interaction of two genes for
- that condition, 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 normal gene and
- resulting in appearance of the disease. The risk of transmitting the
- disorder from affected parent to offspring is 50% for each pregnancy
- regardless of the sex of the resulting child.)
-
- Affected Population
-
- Stickler Syndrome is a rare disorder which affects males as well as females.
-
- Related Disorders
-
- Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Stickler
- Syndrome. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
-
- Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita (SED Congenita) is a disorder with
- autosomal dominant inheritance with symptoms which can range from mild to
- severe. It is characterized by flat facial features, nearsightedness
- (myopia), retinal detachment, cleft palate, clubfoot, short-trunk dwarfism, a
- waddling gait and normally sized hands and feet. This disorder is often
- detectable at birth and may affect males and females in equal numbers. (For
- more information choose "SED Congenita" as your search term in the Rare
- Disease Database.)
-
- Wagner Syndrome is inherited as an autosomal dominant disorder that can
- be expressed in mild, moderate or severe form. It is characterized by facial
- abnormalities, an underdeveloped jaw, saddle nose, cleft palate, and vision
- abnormalities. Joint hyperextensibility in the fingers, elbows and knees,
- and hip deformities may also occur.
-
- Therapies: Standard
-
- Avoidance of excessive physical exertion including contact sports may prevent
- stiffness and soreness of ankles, knees, and wrists. Detached retinas may be
- surgically reattached. Genetic counseling will be helpful to families of
- children with Stickler Syndrome.
-
- Therapies: Investigational
-
- This disease entry is based upon medical information available through March
- 1990. 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 Stickler Syndrome, please contact:
-
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
- P.O. Box 8923
- New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
- (203) 746-6518
-
- Stickler Syndrome Support Group
- 27 Braycourt Ave.
- Walton on Thomas
- Surrey KT 12 2 AZ England
-
- The National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information
- Clearinghouse
- Box AMS
- Bethesda, MD 20892
- (301) 495-4484
-
- NIH/National Eye Institute
- 9000 Rockville Pike
- Bethesda, MD 20892
- (301) 496-5248
-
- For genetic information 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
-
- MANAGEMENT OF RETINAL DETACHMENT IN THE WAGNER-STICKLER SYNDROME: B.M.
- Billington, et al.; Transactions Ophthalmol Soc UK (1985: issue 104, pt 8).
- Pp. 875-879.
-
- STICKLER'S SYNDROME OR HEREDITARY PROGRESSIVE ARTHRO-OPHTHALMOPATH: M.
- Vallat, et al.; Journal Fr Ophthalmol (1985: issue 8,4). Pp. 301-307.
-
- THE WAGNER-STICKLER SYNDROME: A STUDY OF 22 FAMILIES: R.M. Liberfarb,
- et al.; Journal Pediatrics (September 1981: issue 99,3). Pp. 394-399.
-
-