Illnesses & Conditions
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Ablepharon Macrostomia Syndrome

Synonyms
Disorder Subdivisions
General Discussion
Resources
For a Complete Report

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Ablepharon Macrostomia Syndromeis not the name you expected.

Synonyms

• AMS

Disorder Subdivisions

• None

General Discussion

Ablepharon-Macrostomia Syndrome (AMS) is an extremely rare inherited disorder characterized by various physical abnormalities affecting the head and facial (craniofacial) area, the skin, the fingers, and the genitals. In addition, affected individuals may have malformations of the nipples and the abdominal wall. Infants and children with AMS may also experience delays in language development and, in some cases, mental retardation.

In infants with Ablepharon-Macrostomia Syndrome, characteristic craniofacial features may include absence or severe underdevelopment of the upper and lower eyelids (ablepharon or microblepharon) as well as absence of eyelashes and eyebrows; an unusually wide, "fish-like" mouth (macrostomia); and/or incompletely developed (rudimentary), low-set ears (pinnae). Abnormalities of the eyes may occur due to, or in association with, ablepharon or microblepharon. Individuals with AMS may also have additional characteristic features including abnormally sparse, thin hair; thin, wrinkled skin with excess (redundant) folds; webbed fingers with limited extension; and/or malformations of the external genitals. In some cases, additional features associated with AMS may include absent or abnormally small (hypoplastic) nipples and/or abdominal wall abnormalities. Although the exact cause of Ablepharon-Macrostomia Syndrome is not fully understood, some cases suggest that the disorder may be inherited as an autosomal recessive genetic trait.
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Resources

Children's Craniofacial Association
13140 Coit Road
Suite 517
Dallas, TX 75240
USA
Tel: 2145709099
Fax: 2145708811
Tel: 8005353643
Email: csmith@ccakids.com
Internet: http://www.ccakids.com

Ambiguous Genitalia Support Network
P.O. Box 313
Clements, CA 95227-0313
USA
Email: agsn@inreach.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

Forward Face, Inc.
317 East 34th Street
Room 901
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212)684-5860
Fax: (212)684-5864
Tel: (800)393-3223
Email: info@forwardface.org
Internet: http://www.forwardface.org

NIH/National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892-3675
USA
Tel: 3014954484
Fax: 3017186366
Tel: 8772264267
TDD: 3015652966
Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info

NIH/National Eye Institute
Building 31 Rm 6A32
31 Center Dr MSC 2510
Bethesda, MD 20892-2510
United States
Tel: 3014965248
Fax: 3014021065
Email: 2020@nei.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.nei.nih.gov/

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:  8/7/2007
Copyright  1997, 2001, 2002, 2007National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.