Autosomal-recessive neural crest syndrome with albinism, black lock, cell migration disorder of the neurocytes of the gut, and deafness: ABCD syndrome

Am J Med Genet. 1995 Apr 10;56(3):322-6. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.1320560322.

Abstract

We report on a macrosomic newborn girl with albinism, a black lock at the right temporo-occipital region, and retinal depigmentation. Bilateral deafness was confirmed by brainstem auditory-evoked potentials. In addition, the infant had a severe defect of intestinal innervation. Biopsy showed aganglionosis of the large intestine, and total absence of neurocytes and nerve fibers in the small intestine, indicating a total lack of sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation. The infant died of intestinal dysfunction at 5 weeks. She was the 14th child of consanguineous Kurdish parents. Four sibs of our patient had the same syndrome and died a few days after birth. The other 9 sibs are well, with an unremarkable phenotype. A syndrome of albinism, black lock, deafness, and a total lack of intestinal neural innervation has not yet been reported. It represents a new neural crest syndrome with autosomal-recessive inheritance.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Albinism*
  • Consanguinity
  • Deafness*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Hair Color*
  • Hirschsprung Disease*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intestine, Small / innervation*
  • Pedigree
  • Syndrome