Zellweger Syndrome - Quest Diagnostics Patient Health Library

Zellweger Syndrome

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Zellweger 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

Bowen Syndrome
Cerebrohepatorenal Syndrome

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Zellweger syndrome is a rare, hereditary disorder characterized by a deficiency or absence of peroxisomes in the cells of the liver, kidneys, and brain. Peroxisomes are very small, membrane-bound structures within the cytoplasm of cells that function as part of the body’s waste disposal system. In the absence of the enzymes normally found in peroxisomes, waste products, especially very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA), accumulate in the cells of the affected organ. The accumulation of these waste products has profound affects on the development of the fetus.

Zellweger syndrome is one of a group of genetic disorders known as leukodystrophies that affect growth of the myelin sheath, which lines nerve fibers in the brain and speeds the conduction of nerve impulses.

Resources

The Arc (a national organization on mental retardation)
1010 Wayne Ave
Suite 650
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tel: (301)565-3842
Fax: (301)565-3843
Tel: (800)433-5255
TDD: (817)277-0553
Email: info@thearc.org
Internet: http://www.thearc.org/

United Leukodystrophy Foundation
2304 Highland Drive
Sycamore, IL 60178
Tel: (815)895-3211
Fax: (815)895-2432
Tel: (800)728-5483
Email: office@ulf.org
Internet: http://www.ulf.org/

ELA - European Association against Leukodystrophies
2, rue Mi-les-Vignes
Laxou, 54520
France
Tel: 33 383 30 93 34
Fax: 33 383 30 00 68
Email: ela@ela-asso.com
Internet: http://www.ela-asso.com

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
31 Center Drive
8A07
Bethesda, MD 20892-2540
Tel: (301)496-5751
Fax: (301)402-2186
Tel: (800)352-9424
Email: braininfo@ninds.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

Hunter's Hope Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 643
3859 N. Buffalo Street
Orchard Park, NY 14127
Tel: (716)667-1200
Fax: (716)667-1212
Tel: (877)984-4673
Email: info@huntershope.org
Internet: http://www.huntershope.org

Zellweger Baby Support Network
1852 Iron Horse Loop
Spearfish, SD 57783
Tel: (605)642-2072
Fax: (605)642-7525
Email: pamfreeth@zbsn.org
Internet: http://www.zbsn.org and http://groups.msn.com/ZellwegerBabySupportNetwork/welcometozbsn1.msnw

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: 4/15/2008
Copyright 1987, 1990, 1998, 2005 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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