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- $Unique_ID{BRK04209}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Schwachman Syndrome}
- $Subject{Schwachman Syndrome Schwachman-Diamond Syndrome Metaphyseal
- Dysostosis Type B IV Burke Syndrome Neutropenia-Pancreatic Insufficiency
- Agranulocytosis Cystic Fibrosis }
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1987, 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
-
- 371:
- Schwachman Syndrome
-
- ** IMPORTANT **
- It is possible the main title of the article (Schwachman Syndrome) 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
-
- Schwachman-Diamond Syndrome
- Metaphyseal Dysostosis (Type B IV)
- Burke Syndrome
- Neutropenia-Pancreatic Insufficiency
-
- Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
- Disorders section of this report:
-
- Agranulocytosis
- Cystic Fibrosis
-
- 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.
-
- Schwachman Syndrome usually begins in childhood and is characterized by
- insufficient digestive enzymes and low white blood cell count. Symptoms of
- this disorder may include chronic diarrhea, failure to grow due to improper
- digestion of nutrients, dwarfism and problems with bone growth. Persistent
- respiratory and skin infections usually occur and should be carefully guarded
- against.
-
- Symptoms
-
- Diarrhea is usually the initial symptom of Schwachman Syndrome. Infants
- with this disorder have frequent respiratory infections and tend to bleed
- easily due to a lowered number of blood clotting cells (platelets). Some
- cases may have anemia and/or failure to thrive due to insufficient absorption
- of nutrients from food. Dwarfism occurs in one-third of cases and bone
- deformities may cause impaired walking. Lowered resistance to respiratory
- and skin infections are major characteristics of this disorder. The symptoms
- of Schwachman Syndrome may mimic the respiratory and digestive symptoms of
- Cystic Fibrosis. (For more information on this disorder, choose "CF" as your
- search term in the Rare Disease Database).
-
- Causes
-
- The exact cause of Schwachman Syndrome is unknown. Insufficient amounts of
- digestive enzymes and white blood cells cause the digestive and respiratory
- characteristics of this disorder.
-
- Affected Population
-
- Schwachman Syndrome begins in infancy or early childhood. This disorder
- seems to affect males and females in equal numbers.
-
- Related Disorders
-
- Agranulocytosis is characterized by a marked decrease in the number of white
- blood cell components known as granulocytes. This results in increased
- susceptibility to infection. Major symptoms of this disorder include
- lesions of mucous membranes in the throat, gastrointestinal tract and skin.
- This disorder is also called granulocytopenia or Schultz disease. Side
- effects from drugs are the most common cause of Agranulocytosis. These drugs
- may include the alkylating agents, chemotherapeutic antimetabolites,
- phenothiazine derivatives, dibenzazepine compounds, antithyroid drugs,
- sulfonamides, antihistamines and anticonvulsants. (For more information on
- this disorder, choose "Agranulocytosis" as your search term in the Rare
- Disease Database).
-
- Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited respiratory disorder that affects the
- exocrine (outward-secreting) glands of the body in children and young adults.
- Mucous producing glands secrete mucous that is thick and sticky, clogging and
- obstructing air passages in the lungs and pancreatic and bile ducts. Cystic
- Fibrosis also causes dysfunction of salivary and sweat glands. There is
- presently no cure for CF, but with proper treatment, many of those affected
- can lead active lives. (For more information on this disorder, choose "CF"
- as your search term in the Rare Disease Database).
-
- Therapies: Standard
-
- Therapy for Schwachman Syndrome involves use of antibiotics to treat possible
- infections, pancreatic enzymes to correct deficiencies and a diet which is
- high in protein, calories and vitamins. Other treatment is symptomatic and
- supportive.
-
- Therapies: Investigational
-
- The French pharmaceutical manufacturer, FOURNIER, is developing the drug
- LF1695, which may restore the immune system in children with Hodgkin's
- Disease, Schwachman Syndrome, and Chagas Disease. Physicians interested in
- obtaining LF1695 may contact:
-
- Fournier Labs
- BP90, Daix,
- 21121 Fontaine
- Les Dijon, France
-
- This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
- May 1989. 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 Schwachman Syndrome, please contact:
-
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
- P.O. Box 8923
- New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
- (203) 746-6518
-
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
- Box NDDIC
- Bethesda, MD 20892
- (301) 468-6344
-
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
- 6931 Arlington Rd.
- Bethesda, MD 20814
- 1-800-FIGHT CF
-
- American Lung Association
- 1740 Broadway
- New York, NY 10019
- (212) 315-8700
-
- References
-
- PANCREATIC LIPOMATOSIS IN THE SCHWACHMAN-DIAMOND SYNDROME. IDENTIFICATION BY
- SONOGRAPHY AND CT-SCAN: E. Robberecht, et. al.; Pediatr Radiol (1985, issue
- 15(5)). Pp. 348-349.
-
- CYSTIC FIBROSIS "FACTOR(S)": PRESENT ALSO IN SERA OF SCHWACHMAN'S
- PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY: G. Banchini, et. al.; Pediatr Res (July 1981,
- issue 15(7)). Pp. 1073-1075.
-
- CHRONIC DIARRHEA AND NEUTROPENIA NOT ASSOCIATED WITH PANCREATIC
- INSUFFICIENCY: A NON-SHWACHMAN-DIAMOND ENTITY: L.R. Marino, et. al.; J
- Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr (1983, issue 2(3). Pp. 559-562.
-
-