Roberts Syndrome

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Roberts Syndrome is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Hypomelia-Hypotrichosis-Facial Hemangioma Syndrome
Pseudothalidomide Syndrome
SC Syndrome

Disorder Subdivisions

Phocomelia

General Discussion

Roberts syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by growth delays before and after birth (pre- and postnatal growth deficiency); malformations of the arms and legs (limbs); distinctive abnormalities of the skull and facial (craniofacial) region. Mental retardation occurs in some cases; normal intelligence has also been reported.

In infants with Roberts syndrome, the arms and legs may be incompletely developed (limb reduction abnormalities). Such abnormalities may range from absence of all four limbs (tetraphocomelia) to less severe degrees of limb reduction, such as underdevelopment and/or absence of certain bones of the upper arms (humeri), forearms (radii and/or ulnae), thighs (femurs), shins (tibiae), and/or outside of the lower legs (fibulae). Characteristic craniofacial abnormalities may include an unusually small, broad head (microbrachycephaly); abnormal grooves on either side of the upper lip (bilateral cleft lip); incomplete development of the roof of the mouth (cleft palate); thin, small wings of the nose (hypoplastic nasal alae); and/or low-set, malformed (dysplastic) ears. Additional abnormalities are often present. Roberts syndrome is probably genetically heterogeneous. While it is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait in most families, the possibility of new mutation in an autosomal dominant gene cannot be excluded.

For many years, some researchers believed that Roberts syndrome and SC phocomelia syndrome were separate disorders. However, researchers now believe that the two disorders are different expressions of one distinct disorder.

Resources

Children's Craniofacial Association
13140 Coit Road
Suite 307
Dallas, TX 75240
USA
Tel: 2145709099
Fax: 2145708811
Tel: 8005353643
Email: csmith@ccakids.com
Internet: http://www.ccakids.com

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)428-7100
Fax: (914)997-4763
Tel: (888)663-4637
Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.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

AmeriFace
PO Box 751112
Las Vegas, NV 89136
USA
Tel: 7027699264
Fax: 7023415351
Tel: 8884861209
Email: info@ameriface.org
Internet: http://www.ameriface.org

National Craniofacial Foundation
3100 Carlisle Street
Suite 215
Dallas, TX 75204
Tel: (800)535-3643

Francke, Uta, M.D.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Stanford University School of Medicine
Beckman Center
Bl295
Stanford, CA 94305
Tel: (415)725-8089

Reach: The Association for Children with Hand or Arm Deficiency
P.O. Box 54
Helston
Cornwall,, Intl TR13 8WD
United Kingdom
Tel: 0845 1306225
Fax: 0845 1300262
Email: reach@reach.org.uk
Internet: http://www.reach.org.uk

NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
31 Center Dr
Building 31, Room 2A32
MSC2425
Bethesda, MD 20892
Tel: (301)496-5133
Fax: (301)496-7101
Internet: http://www.nih.gov/hichd/

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: 5/1/2008
Copyright 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1997, 2004, 2006 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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