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- $Unique_ID{BRK04256}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Telecanthus}
- $Subject{Telecanthus BBB Syndrome Hypertelorism-Hypospadias Syndrome Dystopia
- Canthorum G Syndrome Waardenburg Syndrome }
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1988, 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
-
- 582:
- Telecanthus
-
- ** IMPORTANT **
- It is possible that the main title of the article (Telecanthus With
- Associated Abnormalities) is not the name you expected. Please check the
- SYNONYM listing to find the alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered
- by this article.
-
- Synonyms
-
- BBB Syndrome
- Hypertelorism-Hypospadias Syndrome
- Dystopia Canthorum
-
- Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
- Disorders section of this report:
-
- G Syndrome
- Waardenburg 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.
-
- Telecanthus With Associated Abnormalities is a very rare genetic disorder
- affecting the eyes and other parts of the body. Major symptoms include very
- widely spaced eyes (hypertelorism), urinary tract anomalies, and
- abnormalities in the development of the mouth and the lips.
-
- Symptoms
-
- Telecanthus With Associated Abnormalities is apparent at birth. The most
- obvious features are very widely spaced eyes that may be crossed or
- misaligned (strabismus) combined with a high broad nasal bridge. This may be
- accompanied by urinary tract deformities such as the opening of the urethra
- set very low on the underside of the male penis (hypospadias) or opening into
- the vagina of females. Often the testicles of the affected males are
- undescended (cryptorchidism). There may be clefting of the palate, lips and
- back of the mouth (uvula) and often patients show one or more congenital
- heart defects. There is a high rate of mental retardation among affected
- males.
-
- Causes
-
- The exact cause of Telecanthus With Associated Abnormalities is not known.
- It is thought to be inherited as an X-linked trait. (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. X-
- linked recessive disorders are conditions which are coded on the X
- chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes, but males have one X chromosome
- and one Y chromosome. Therefore, in females, disease traits on the X
- chromosome can be masked by the normal gene on the other X chromosome. Since
- males only have one X chromosome, if they inherit a gene for a disease
- present on the X, it will be expressed. Men with X-linked disorders transmit
- the gene to all their daughters, who are carriers, but never to their sons.
- Women who are carriers of an X-linked disorder have a fifty percent risk of
- transmitting the carrier condition to their daughters, and a fifty percent
- risk of transmitting the disease to their sons.)
-
- Affected Population
-
- Telecanthus With Associated Abnormalities affects males more often and more
- seriously than females.
-
- Related Disorders
-
- Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Telecanthus
- With Associated Abnormalities. Comparisons may be useful for a differential
- diagnosis:
-
- G Syndrome is marked at birth by widely spaced eyes (hypertelorism), a
- broad, flat nasal bridge, neuromuscular defects of the esophagus and
- swallowing mechanism, and a hoarse cry. The opening of the urethra may be
- too low on the underside of the penis (hypospadias). Undescended testicles
- (cryptorchidism), a scrotum that is divided into two parts (bifid) and an
- anus without an opening (imperforate) may be present.
-
- Waardenburg Syndrome is characterized by displacement of the inner folds
- of the eyelids, prominence of the nose, and overdevelopment of the eyebrows.
- The patient may have two different colored eyes or two colors in one iris of
- the eye. Congenital nerve deafness may also occur. A white streak of hair
- in the front (forelock) of the head or early greying of the hair may
- characterize this disorder. A thin nose with flaring nostrils, a "cupid bow"
- configuration of the lips, wide-set eyes, inflammation of the tear sac and
- drooping of the upper eyelids may occur. A lack of an indent between the
- nose and the forehead, prominent lower jaw and a clefted or high-arched
- palate may also be present. (For more information on this disorder, choose
- "Waardenburg" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database).
-
- Therapies: Standard
-
- Treatment of Telecanthus With Associated Abnormalities may include
- reconstructive surgery to correct the spacing between the eyes as well as
- straightening the eyes themselves. Surgical correction of the urinary
- deformities as well as the cleft palate, lips and uvula may also be
- recommended. If heart deformities are present, surgery may be necessary.
- Genetic counseling may be of benefit for patients and their families. Other
- treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
-
- Therapies: Investigational
-
- This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
- November 1988. 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 Telecanthus with Associated Abnormalities, please
- contact:
-
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
- P.O. Box 8923
- New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
- (203) 746-6518
-
- NIH/National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHHD)
- 9000 Rockville Pike
- Bethesda, MD 20892
- (301) 496-5133
-
- Forward Face
- 560 First Ave.
- New York, NY 10016
- (212) 263-5205
- (800) 422-FACE
-
- National Craniofacial Foundation
- 3100 Carlisle Suite 215
- Dallas, TX 75204
- 1-800-535-3843
-
- FACES
- National Association for the Craniofacially Handicapped
- P.O. Box 11082
- Chattanooga, TN 37401
- (615) 266-1632
-
- Society for the Rehabilitation of the Facially Disfigured, Inc.
- 550 First Avenue
- New York, NY 10016
- (212) 340-5400
-
- 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. 1458.
-
- PHENOTYPIC OVERLAP OF THE BBB AND G SYNDROMES. J. F. Cordero, et al., Am
- J Med Genet (1978, issue 2 (2)). Pp. 145-152.
-
- STUDIES OF MALFORMATION SYNDROMES OF MAN VB; THE HYPERTELORISM-HYP (BBB)
- SYNDROME. CASE REPORT AND REVIEW. C. H. Gonzalez, et al., Eur J Pediatr
- (April, 1977, issue 125 (1)). Pp. 1-13.
-
- THE G AND BBB SYNDROMES; CASE PRESENTATIONS, GENETICS, AND NOSOLOGY. S.
- J. Funderburk, et al., Am J Med Genet (1978, issue 2 (2)). Pp. 131-144.
-
-