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Syndromic immunodeficiencies: genetic syndromes associated with immune abnormalities
Jeffrey E Ming1, E Richard Stiehm, John M Graham
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. jeming@mail.med.upenn.edu
Abstract:
In syndromic immunodeficiencies, clinical features not directly associated with the immune defect are prominent. Patients may present with either infectious complications or extra-immune medical issues. In addition to the immunologic abnormality, a wide range of organ systems may be affected. Patients may present with disturbances in skeletal, neurologic, dermatologic, or gastrointestinal function or development. These conditions can be caused by developmental abnormalities, chromosomal aberrations, metabolic disorders, or teratogens. For a number of these conditions, recent advances have resulted in an enhanced understanding of their genetic basis. The finding of immune deficits in a number of defined syndromes with congenital anomalies suggests that an underlying genetic syndrome should be considered in those patients in whom a significant non-immune feature is present.