[Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen syndrome. Case report and review of the literature]

Helv Paediatr Acta. 1981;36(6):543-59.
[Article in German]

Abstract

The Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen syndrome is inherited in an autosomal recessive mode and is clinically characterized by mental retardation, small stature mainly due to a short vertebral column with thoracal kyphosis, protruding sternum, reduced articular mobility, and in most cases also by microcephaly. Specific radiologic findings concern the vertebral column, the pelvis, and the hands. A patient suffering from this syndrome is presented, the literature is summarized, and the clinical and radiologic manifestations are reviewed. As in two cases studied by others [27], the incorporation of radioactive sulphate into the mucopolysaccharides of the fibroblasts was normal in our patient. The activity of arylsulphatase B in the fibroblasts, however, was reduced as in the leucocytes of three reported cases [21]. These observations suggest that an as yet undefined specific sulphatase could be of importance for the pathogenesis of this condition.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Multiple / diagnostic imaging
  • Abnormalities, Multiple / pathology*
  • Chondro-4-Sulfatase / metabolism
  • Growth Disorders / congenital
  • Growth Disorders / pathology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Intellectual Disability / pathology
  • Male
  • Radiography
  • Spinal Diseases / congenital
  • Spinal Diseases / pathology
  • Syndrome

Substances

  • Chondro-4-Sulfatase