» Health and Disability » » Pediatric Health Concerns
Cerebro Oculo Facio Skeletal Syndrome
Information provided by Sally Rider - Published: 2009-04-01
Cerebro oculo facio skeletal (COFS) syndrome is a pediatric, genetic, degenerative disorder that involves the brain and the spinal cord that begins before birth.
Cerebro oculo facio skeletal (COFS) syndrome is a pediatric, genetic, degenerative disorder that involves the brain and the spinal cord that begins before birth.
Alternate Names: Cockayne Syndrome-Classical Type I, Cockayne Syndrome-Congenital Type II, Pena Shokeir Syndrome Type II
It is characterized by craniofacial and skeletal abnormalities, severely reduced muscle tone, and impairment of reflexes.
Other findings may include large, low-set ears, small eyes, microcephaly (abnormal smallness of the head), micrognathia (abnormal smallness of the jaws), clenched fists, wide-set nipples, vision impairments, involuntary eye movements, and mental retardation, which can be moderate or severe. Respiratory infections are frequent.
A small number of individuals with COFS have a mutation in the “ERCC6” gene and are more appropriately diagnosed as having Cockayne Syndrome Type II. Other individuals with COFS may have defects in the xeroderma pigmentosum genes “XPG” or “XPD”. Still others who are diagnosed with COFS have no identifiable genetic defect and are presumably affected because of mutations in a distinct, as-yet-unknown gene.
NOTE: This disorder is not the same as Cohen's syndrome (cerebral obesity ocular skeletal syndrome)
COFS is usually diagnosed at birth. However, ultrasound technology can detect fetuses with COFS at an early stage of pregnancy because the fetus moves very little. Some of the abnormalities result, in part, from a lack of movement.
Treatment is supportive and symptomatic. Individuals with the disorder often require tube feeding. Because COFS is genetic, genetic counseling is available.
COFS is a fatal disease. Death usually occurs by 5 years of age.
- This web page is from the Disabled World Pediatric Health Concerns section which provides: There are a number of health concerns children face today these pediatric conditions are the most common chronic childhood diseases.
