Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Aarskog Syndrome

(Aarskog-Scott Syndrome; Faciodigitogenital Dysplasia or Syndrome; Faciogenital Dysplasia; Shawl Scrotum Syndrome)
by Rick Alan
Definition

Aarskog syndrome is an extremely rare genetic disorder. This syndrome causes changes in the size and shape of certain bones and cartilage in the body. The face, fingers, and toes are most often affected.

Causes

Aarskog syndrome is an inherited disorder. It is caused by a gene mutation on the X chromosome. It is passed from mothers to male children.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. This disorder mainly affects males.

Those at risk of inheriting Aarskog syndrome are male children of:

  • Mothers who do not have the disorder, but who carry the gene for it
Symptoms

The main symptoms of Aarskog syndrome are:

  • Abnormalities of the head and face, including:
    • In some cases, cleft lip or palate
    • Crease below the lower lip
    • Delayed teeth growth
    • Drooping eyelids
    • Folding of the top portion of the ear
    • Front-facing nostrils
    • Rounded face
    • Slightly slanted eyes
    • Small nose
    • Underdeveloped mid-portion of the face
    • Wide groove above the upper lip
    • Wide-set eyes
  • Disproportionately short stature

Other symptoms may include:

  • Inguinal hernias
  • A malformed scrotum
  • Abnormalities of the sternum (mildly sunken chest)
  • In some cases, mild webbing of fingers and toes, or simian crease in palm of hand
  • Ligament problems, resulting in hyperextension of the knees
  • Mild mental deficiencies (in about one-third of those affected)
  • Protruding navel
  • Short fingers and toes
  • Small, wide hands and feet
  • Undescended testicles
Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. The diagnosis of Aarskog syndrome is usually based on facial characteristics. The diagnosis can be confirmed by x-rays of the face and skull.

Treatment

There is no known cure for Aarskog syndrome. Treatment is limited to surgical procedures to treat conditions caused by the disorder and supportive treatment. Orthodontic treatment is often needed, as well. Researchers have located abnormalities in the FGD1 gene in people with this syndrome, and genetic testing for mutations in this gene may be available.

Treatment may include:

Surgery

Conditions that may be treated with surgery include:

  • Cleft lip or palate
  • Inguinal hernia
  • Undescended testicles
Orthodontics

In some cases, orthodontic treatment may help certain facial and dental abnormalities.

Supportive Treatment

Supportive treatment generally includes educational assistance to those afflicted with mental deficiencies. Parents often need advice and supportive treatment.

Prevention

There is no known way to prevent Aarskog syndrome. If you have Aarskog syndrome or have a family history of the disorder, you can talk with a genetic counselor when deciding to have children.

Last reviewed: July 2010 by J. Thomas Megerian, MD, PhD, FAAP .

RESOURCES:
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
References:
  • Aarskog syndrome. National Organization for Rare Disorders website. Available at: http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdbdetail_abstract.html?disname=Aarskog%20Syndrome . Accessed July 22, 2009.
  • Aarskog syndrome. US National Library of Medicine, Medline Plus website. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001654.htm . Updated February 2008. Accessed July 22, 2009.
  • Emery and Rimoin’s Principal and Practice of Medical Genetics . 3rd ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 1997.
  • National Organization for Rare Disorders, NORD Guide to Rare Disorders. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2003.
  • Pasteris NG, Nagata K, Hall A, Gorski J. Isolation, characterization and mapping of mouse Fgd3 gene, a new faciogenital dysplasia (FGD1; Aarskog Syndrome) gene homologue. Gene . 2000;242:237-247.