Health and Fitness

  What is glutamate formiminotransferase deficiency? Glutamate formiminotransferase deficiency is an inherited (genetic) condition that prevents the breakdown of histidine. Histidine is an amino acid, one of the building blocks that makes up proteins. Formiminotransferase cyclodeaminase (FTCD) is an enzyme in your body that helps break down histidine. This enzyme also helps make an important vitamin called folate. Without enough working FTCD enzyme, your baby will have trouble breaking down histidine and making folate. Most babies with glutamate formiminotransferase deficiency are well or have very few signs and symptoms. Glutamate formiminotransferase deficiency may be detected by newborn screening. Newborn screening requires collecting a small amount of blood from your baby’s heel. To learn more about this process, visit the Blood Spot Screening page. Screening measures how much of certain substances (called acylcarnitines) are in your baby’s blood. While looking at acylcarnitine...

DOCK8 immunodeficiency syndrome is a disorder of the immune system. The condition is characterized by recurrent infections that are severe and can be life-threatening. The infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Skin infections cause rashes, blisters, accumulations of pus (abscesses), open sores, and scaling. People with DOCK8 immunodeficiency syndrome also tend to have frequent bouts of pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections. Other immune system-related problems in people with DOCK8 immunodeficiency syndrome include an inflammatory skin disorder called eczema, food or environmental allergies, and asthma. DOCK8 immunodeficiency syndrome is characterized by abnormally high levels of an immune system protein called immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the blood; the levels can be more than 10 times higher than normal for no known reason. IgE normally triggers an immune response against foreign invaders in the body, particularly parasitic worms, and plays a role in allergi...

Renal tubular dysgenesis Overview Renal tubular dysgenesis is a severe fetal kidney disorder characterized by the absence or poor development of the proximal tubules, leading to persistent lack of urine production before birth Symptoms   Anuria: Total lack of fetal urine production, leading to severe and persistent low amniotic fluid levels. Oligohydramnios: Profoundly low amniotic fluid during pregnancy, usually starting around the 20th week or earlier.  Potter Sequence: A group of features caused by low amniotic fluid and compression in the womb, including flattened facial features, large and low-set ears, excess skin, and clubfeet.  Pulmonary Hypoplasia: Severely underdeveloped lungs that cause major breathing failure at birth. Severe Arterial Hypotension: Dangerously low blood pressure occurring in the fetus or newborn.  Skull Ossification Defects: Abnormal or delayed bone formation in the skull, leaving large soft spaces (fontanelles) due to low blood flow ...

Anonychia congenita Overview Anonychia congenita is a rare genetic condition where a baby is born without all or some of their fingernails and toenails.  Symptoms Missing nails: Complete or partial absence (hyponychia) of nail plates on fingers and toes from birth. Normal surrounding skin: The skin, tips of digits, and nail beds look and function normally. No systemic illness: The condition is typically painless and does not cause other major health problems Bone defects: Missing or underdeveloped finger bones, toe bones, or kneecaps.Teeth abnormalities: Unusual shape or development of teeth.Hair or skin changes: Sparse hair or unusual skin pigmentation patterns. Causes RSPO4 Gene Mutations: Mutations in the RSPO4 (R-spondin 4) gene on chromosome 20p13 are the most common cause. This gene helps control the Wnt signaling pathway, which is essential for forming tissues like fingernails and toenails.naffected carriers. Autosomal Dominant Inheritance: Less commonly, some families sh...

Supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS) Overview SupraValvar Aortic Stenosis (SVAS) is characterized by the narrowing of the aorta lumen (close to its origin) or other arteries (branch pulmonary arteries, coronary arteries). This narrowing of the aorta or pulmonary branches may impede blood flow, resulting in heart murmur and ventricular hypertrophy (in case of aorta involvement). The narrowing results from a thickening of the artery wall, which is not related to atherosclerosis. Symptoms Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity or exercise. Chest pain or angina caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. Heart murmur, an abnormal sound heard through a stethoscope when a doctor listens to the heartbeat. Heart failure in severe cases where the heart struggles to pump enough blood.Dizziness or fainting (syncope) during exertion .No symptoms at all Causes Williams Syndrome: This is the most common syndromic cause, resulting from a microdeletion on chromosome  that e...

Atelosteogenesis type 2 Overview Atelosteogenesis type 2 is a severe, rare genetic disorder of cartilage and bone development that is typically lethal around the time of birth. Symptoms Short limbs: Infants have severely shortened arms and legs (micromelia) due to underdevelopment of the bones. Chest and abdomen: Affected babies typically present with a narrow, small chest alongside a prominent, rounded (protuberant) abdomen. Cleft palate: There is an opening in the roof of the mouth. Facial features: Distinctive or abnormal facial dysmorphism is common. Foot deformities: Clubfoot (talipes equinovarus), where the foot turns inward and downward, frequently occurs. Hand and foot positioning : Unusually positioned "hitchhiker" or abducted thumbs and toes are characteristic findings, along with gaps between the first and second toes and ulnar deviation of the fingers Deficient ossification : Parts of the skeleton lack proper bone hardening and development. Spinal abnormalitie...