Familial achalasia, a case report.
BACKGROUND
Although achalasia is a relatively rare disease in pediatric age group, it must be considered for differential diagnosis of esophageal disorders in children with positive family history even in the absence of typical clinical manifestations.


METHODS
A 5-month old boy was hospitalized for cough and mild respiratory distress. Because of positive history of achalasia in his mother, achalasia was detected in esophgagography. Pneumatic dilation through endoscopy was successful. A 12-month follow-up revealed no problem.


CONCLUSIONS
Achalasia must be considered for differential diagnosis in children with positive family history of achalasia even in the absence of typical clinical manifestations. An autosomal recessive mode of inheritance is probable. We suggest further researches and genetic studies to establish the pattern of inheritance.
Department of Pediatrics, Children's Medical Center, Pediatric Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Farzaneh
F
Motamed
Vajiheh
V
Modaresi
Kambiz
K
Eftekhari