[Duodenal ulcer in 2 dizygotic twins].
We report two cases of duodenal ulcer (DU) identified at endoscopy in a pair of dizygotic twins; their outstanding clinically recognizable features were a very early onset, a great familiar occurrence, a lack of triggering conditions (drugs, burns, stress, sepsis, respiratory distress), normal serum levels of gastrin and pepsinogen I, inadequate response to medical treatment with H2-receptor antagonists, but satisfactory response to associated therapy with H2-receptor antagonists and sucralfate. Results of this study show that examined twins were affected by a form of early-onset primary DU, probably inherited like an autosomal dominant disorder with high degree of penetrance, associated with normal serum pepsinogen I and gastrin; in this form of Du a decreased tissue resistance of duodenal mucosa is likely more important, pathogenically, than an increased peptic secretion. At present long-term prognosis of our patients is unknown.
Sanna
C M
CM
Istituto di Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Cagliari, Italia.
Antonucci
R
R
Corda
R
R
D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000235:genetics*; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree; D014427:Twins / Q000235:genetics*; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic / Q000235:genetics*
Ulcera duodenale in due gemelli dizigoti.