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$Unique_ID{BRK03438}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Alagille Syndrome}
$Subject{Alagille Syndrome Cholestasis with Peripheral Pulmonary Stenosis
Arteriohepatic Dysplasia AHD Syndromatic Hepatic Ductular Hypoplasia Zellweger
Syndrome Cholestasis-Lymphedema Syndrome Byler Disease Alpha-1-Antitrypsin
Deficiency}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1987, 1990 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
473
Alagille Syndrome
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Alagille 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
Cholestasis with Peripheral Pulmonary Stenosis
Arteriohepatic Dysplasia
AHD
Syndromatic Hepatic Ductular Hypoplasia
Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Zellweger Syndrome
Cholestasis-Lymphedema Syndrome
Byler Disease
Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency
General Discussion
** IMPORTANT **
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.
Alagille Syndrome is a genetic liver disorder usually present at birth.
It is characterized by insufficient passage of bile due to a lower than
normal number of bile ducts inside the liver. In some cases the child may be
born with no bile ducts. Major symptoms include prolonged yellow skin
discoloration (jaundice), eye and heart structure anomalies, abnormally
shaped vertebrae of the spine, compression of nerve space inside the lower
spine, an absence of deep tendon reflexes, mental deficiency, facial
abnormalities, and shortened fingers.
Symptoms
Alagille Syndrome is characterized by slowed bile passage due to an absence,
or fewer than normal bile ducts inside the liver. Prolonged yellow skin
discoloration (jaundice) is usually present at birth. Various physical
abnormalities accompany the liver malformation including eye structure
changes, abnormalities of heart valves and arteries, abnormally shaped
"butterfly" vertebrae, compression of nerve space inside the lower spine,
absence of deep tendon reflexes, and mental retardation. The face is marked
by a broad forehead, a straight nose with a bulbous tip, deep-set eyes spaced
widely apart, and a small pointed jaw. Fingers may be shorter than normal.
Symptoms of Alagille Syndrome can range from mild to severe.
Causes
The exact cause of Alagille Syndrome is not known. It is believed to be
inherited as an autosomal dominant 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. 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
Alagille Syndrome is a rare disorder which often affects more than one person
in a family and many generations of an affected family.
Related Disorders
Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Alagille
Syndrome. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
Zellweger Syndrome is a rare hereditary disorder affecting infants. It
is characterized by reduction or absence of peroxisomes in the cells of the
liver, kidneys and brain. Unusual problems in prenatal development, an
enlarged liver, high levels of iron and copper in the blood, and vision
disturbances are among the major manifestations of this disorder. (For more
information on this disorder, choose "Zellweger" as your search term in the
Rare Disease Database.)
Cholestasis-Lymphedema Syndrome is a genetic liver disorder characterized
by blockage of bile and yellow discoloration of the skin (jaundice) at birth,
which tends to recur throughout life. Swelling occurs in the legs due to
underdevelopment of lymphatic vessels usually at around five or six years of
age.
Byler Disease is a genetic liver disorder which is characterized by an
early onset with loose, foul smelling stools, yellow discoloration of the
skin (jaundice), an enlarged liver and spleen, and dwarfism. Symptoms are
caused by an error in conjugated bile salt metabolism. This disorder is
inherited as an autosomal recessive trait which means that both parents must
carry the gene in order for a child to be affected.
Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency is an inherited deficiency of a
glycoprotein of blood serum, which may be moderate or severe. This
deficiency allows proteolytic enzymes to attack various body tissues.
Emphysema or liver abnormalities may be caused by or associated with this
deficiency. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Alpha-1-
Antitrypsin" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)
Therapies: Standard
Treatment of Alagille Syndrome is symptomatic and supportive. Genetic
counseling is recommended for patients and their families.
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 Alagille Syndrome, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
American Liver Foundation
998 Pomptom Ave.
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
(201) 857-2626
(800) 223-0179
The United Liver Foundation
11646 West Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(213) 445-4204 or 445-4200
Children's Liver Foundation
14245 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 906-3021
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
Box NDDIC
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 468-6344
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
ARTERIOHEPATIC DYSPLASIA (ALAGILLE SYNDROME): EXTREME VARIABILITY AMONG
AFFECTED FAMILY MEMBERS: S.A. Shulman, et al.; Am J Med Genet (October 1984,
issue 19(2)). Pp. 325-332.
POSSIBLE DEFECT IN THE BILE SECRETORY APPARATUS IN ARTERIOHEPATIC
DYSPLASIA (ALAGILLE'S SYNDROME): A REVIEW WITH OBSERVATIONS ON THE
ULTRASTRUCTURE OF LIVER: P. Valencia-Mayoral, et al.; Hepatology (July-
August 1984, issue 4(4)). Pp. 691-698.
MENDELIAN INHERITANCE IN MAN, 7th ed.: Victor A. McKusick; Johns Hopkins
University Press, 1986. Pp. 140-141.