Pfeiffer Syndrome Type I


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Important

It is possible that the main title of the report Pfeiffer Syndrome Type I is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.


Synonyms


  • Acrocephalosyndactyly V (ACS5 or ACS V), Subtype I
  • Acrocephalosyndactyly Type I, Subtype I
  • Noack Syndrome, Type I
  • Classic Type Pfeiffer Syndrome

Disorder Subdivisions


  • None

General Discussion


Pfeiffer Syndrome is a very rare genetic disorder characterized by abnormalities of the head and facial (craniofacial) area, distinctive malformations of the fingers and toes (digits), and/or additional physical abnormalities. This disorder, which is also known as Acrocephalosyndactyly Type V, is generally accepted to be the same disorder as Noack Syndrome (Acrocephalopolysyndactyly Type I). The Acrocephalosyndactyly (ACS) disorders are a group of very rare genetic disorders characterized by premature closure of the fibrous joints (cranial sutures) between certain bones of the skull (craniosynostosis), causing the top of the head to appear abnormally pointed (acrocephaly), and webbing or fusion of certain fingers and/or toes (syndactyly).



According to the medical literature, researchers have recognized three subtypes of Pfeiffer Syndrome: namely, Pfeiffer Syndrome Types I, II, and III. Major findings that may be associated with all forms of the disorder include premature fusion of certain cranial sutures (craniosynostosis), abnormally broad thumbs and great toes that may bend outward (varus deformity), and syndactyly of certain fingers and toes. The range and severity of associated symptoms and findings may vary greatly from case to case. (For more information on Pfeiffer Syndrome Types II and III, please see the Related Disorders section below.)



In most infants with Type I, or Classic Type Pfeiffer Syndrome, craniosynostosis causes the head to appear short and unusually pointed at the top (turribrachycephaly). Affected infants and children typically have craniofacial abnormalities including an unusually high, full forehead; a flattened middle portion of the face (midface hypoplasia); a small nose with a flattened bridge; widely spaced eyes (ocular hypertelorism); an underdeveloped upper jaw (hypoplastic maxilla), causing the lower jaw to appear unusually prominent (relative mandibular prognathism); and/or dental abnormalities. Individuals with Pfeiffer Syndrome Type I also have digital abnormalities including the malformations mentioned above (i.e., abnormally broad thumbs and great toes that may bend outward [varus deformity] and syndactyly). Intelligence is usually normal.



In some cases, Pfeiffer Syndrome Type I may be due to new genetic changes (mutations) that occur randomly, with no apparent cause (sporadic). In other cases, the disorder may be inherited as an autosomal dominant genetic trait.


Resources


Children's Craniofacial Association

13140 Coit Road

Suite 307

Dallas, TX 75240

USA

Tel: 2145709099

Fax: 2145708811

Tel: 8005353643

Email: csmith@ccakids.com

Internet: http://www.ccakids.com



March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation

1275 Mamaroneck Avenue

White Plains, NY 10605

Tel: (914)428-7100

Fax: (914)997-4763

Tel: (888)663-4637

Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com

Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com



FACES: The National Craniofacial Association

P.O. Box 11082

Chattanooga, TN 37401

Tel: (423)266-1632

Fax: (423)267-3124

Tel: (800)332-2373

Email: faces@faces-cranio.org

Internet: http://www.faces-cranio.org



National Hydrocephalus Foundation

12413 Centralia

Lakewood, CA 90715-1623

USA

Tel: 5629246666

Fax: 5629246666

Tel: 8888573434

Email: nhf@earthlink.net

Internet: http://www.nhfonline.org



Let's Face It (USA)

P.O. Box 29972

Bellingham, WA 98228-1972

USA

Tel: 3606767325

Email: faceit@umich.edu

Internet: http://www.dent.umich.edu/faceit



AboutFace USA

PO Box 158

South Beloit, IL 61080

USA

Tel: 8884861209

Email: info@AboutFaceUSA.org

Internet: http://www.aboutfaceusa.org



National Craniofacial Foundation

3100 Carlisle Street

Suite 215

Dallas, TX 75204

Tel: (800)535-3643



NIH/Nat'l Institute on Deafness & Other Communication Disorders Information Clearinghouse

1 Communication Ave

Bethesda, MD 20892-3456

Tel: (301)402-0900

Fax: (301)907-8830

Tel: (800)241-1044

TDD: (800)241-1105

Email: nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov

Internet: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov



Headlines - Craniofacial Support

128 Beesmoor Road

Bristol, Intl BS36 2JP

United Kingdom

Tel: 44-01454-850557

Email: info@headlines.org.uk

Internet: http://www.headlines.org.uk




For a Complete Report


This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. 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.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:   4/14/2003

Copyright   1988, 1989, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2003 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.


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