Ophthalmic findings in GAPO syndrome.
BACKGROUND
The main manifestations of GAPO syndrome are growth retardation (G), alopecia (A), pseudoanodontia (P), and optic atrophy (O).


METHODS
This syndrome has been described in 21 patients from 16 different families. Four cases are from Turkey and have been presented by Sayli and Gül. The purpose of our study is to document the cases from Turkey and discuss the ophthalmological and neuro-ophthalmolgical findings of these and other reported GAPO cases.


METHODS
All patients in the literature and our 4 cases have severe growth retardation with delayed bone age in infancy, characteristic facial appearance (high and bossed forehead, midface hypoplasia), alopecia or severe hypotrichosis, and pseudoanodontia. Optic atrophy was present in 1 of our cases and in 5 previous cases. Glaucoma was present in 5 cases, including 2 of ours. Buphthalmia and keratopathy secondary to glaucoma were also observed. White eyelashes, seen only in our cases, may be a sign of "early senility."


CONCLUSIONS
Optic atrophy is not a constant finding in GAPO syndrome. Glaucoma may accompany the ocular findings. This syndrome has been attributed to either ectodermal dysplasia or the accumulation of extracellular connective tissue matrix, due to an enzyme deficiency involved in its metabolism. Current studies show that an elastin defect and secondary changes in collagen may be important in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Ilker
S S
SS
Department of Ophthalmology, Celal Bayar University Medical Faculty, Mansa, Turkey.
Oztürk
F
F
Kurt
E
E
Temel
M
M
Gül
D
D
Sayli
B S
BS
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D000848:Anodontia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D004596:Electroretinography; D005124:Eye Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009896:Optic Atrophy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D010375:Pedigree; D013577:Syndrome