Genital anomaly, mental retardation, and cardiomyopathy: a new syndrome?

Dilated cardiomyopathy and ovarian dysgenesis in a patient with Malouf syndrome: a case report

Malouf syndrome is a rare congenital disorder involving the heart, genitalia, skin and skeletal characteristics. In the present study, we report on the sporadic case of a young female with dilated cardiomyopathy, hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, a small chin, bilateral blepharoptosis, marfanoid elongated fingers and hypothyroidism. Malouf syndrome may be caused by heterozygous mutations in the lamin A/C (LMNA) gene. Genetic analyses and autopsy were performed. In spite of the patient's features, sequence analysis of the coding region of the LMNA gene including exon-intron boundaries identified only one benign polymorphism: homozygous silent variant 1698C>T (H566). There is a possibility that the sequence analysis may have not detected intronic mutations or mutations in portions of the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions, which would confirm the clinical diagnosis.

Najjar syndrome revisited

We describe 2 brothers with cardiomyopathy and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism and conclude that this is the first description of the Najjar syndrome in the United States. The inheritance may be autosomal recessive.

Case of ovarian dysgenesis and dilated cardiomyopathy supports existence of Malouf syndrome

We describe an 18-year-old girl with ovarian dysgenesis, dilated cardiomyopathy, mild mental retardation, broad nasal base, blepharoptosis, and minor skeletal abnormalities. This unusual association of manifestations was first reported by Malouf et al. [1985]. Our patient, although a sporadic case, supports the existence of Malouf syndrome.

Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism with congestive cardiomyopathy: an autosomal-recessive disorder?

We report on two sisters with ovarian dysgenesis and secondary hypergonadotropic hypogonadism and congestive cardiomyopathy. Their parents are first cousins. It is suggested that these are the main manifestations of a previously unreported autosomal-recessive syndrome.

Genital anomaly and cardiomyopathy: a new syndrome

Two brothers, products of a consanguineous marriage, had severe hypoplastic genitalia and cardiomyopathy. These findings are similar to those of three other brothers of another consanguineous family who in addition had evidence of mental retardation. These five boys probably represent a previously undescribed syndrome of genetic origin but of poorly understood pathogenesis.

The diagnosis and management of intersex

The patient whose genitalia are ambiguous or are inappropriate for the assigned sex presents the physician with a set of problems requiring a thorough grasp of sexual differentiation, development and function. Although several reviews have covered various aspects of these matters, these texts do not cover recent advances in understanding normal and abnormal sexual development nor do they provide an integrated guide to the management of intersex cases. Our objectives are to show the clinical relevance of recent advances in understanding the determinants of normal and abnormal sexual differentiation, to indicate the improved diagnostic procedures now available and to provide specific guidelines for optimal case management in the light of current medical knowledge and psychological and ethical understanding.

Genetic diseases in Lebanon

Lebanon has a high incidence of common and rare genetic diseases, due probably to the mosaic different ethnic origins and the high rate of consanguineous marriages in certain communities. Two major investigations, exploring the genetic structure of the Lebanese population, indicated the population to be caucasiods (though Oriental traits were found). These investigations involved studies of dermatoglyphics, and type and distribution of genetic markers and protein variants. Recorded genetic diseases, some characteristic of ethnic group or particular to a geographic region include familial paroxysmal polyserositis, familial hypercholesterolemia, hypothroidism, the Dyggve-Melchoir-Clausen syndrome, Sandhoff disease, and various genetic hematologic diseases. Genetic counseling and care to patients with genetic diseases is available in Beirut from the Faculty of Medicine at American University and St. Joseph University. Also, the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research initiates and finances medical genetics programs.