Emery-Dreifuss syndrome.
Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy is characterised by the triad of (1) early contractures of the elbows, Achilles tendons, and postcervical muscles; (2) slowly progressive muscle wasting and weakness with a humeroperoneal distribution in the early stages; and (3) a cardiomyopathy usually presenting as heart block. The early recognition of the condition is essential because the insertion of a cardiac pacemaker can be life saving. The disorder is usually inherited as an X linked recessive trait (linked to DNA markers around Xq28). However, occasionally it can be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and there is an indication that this and the X linked form may in some cases have a neurogenic basis. For these reasons it has recently been proposed that the appellation 'Emery-Dreifuss syndrome' be used for this triad of symptoms and signs.
Emery
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AE
Medical School, University of Edinburgh.
D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000235:genetics; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005799:Genes, Dominant; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D011379:Prognosis; D013577:Syndrome; D014960:X Chromosome