Type of disease: Rare conditions
Seckel syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by growth retardation, microcephaly with mental retardation, and unique facial features such as large eyes, beak-like nose, narrow face, and receding lower jaw. Blood abnormalities with chromosome breakage may be present in less than 25% of individuals who have Seckel syndrome. The signs and symptoms of Seckel syndrome may be similar to those of another condition called microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type II (MOPD II); however, MOPD II is associated with abnormalities of the bones, which can be identified by performing X-rays during the first years of life.
Seckel syndrome is inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. The condition may be called Seckel syndrome type 1 when it is caused by a mutation in the SCKL1 gene, Seckel syndrome type 2 when caused by a mutation in the SCKL2 gene, and Seckel syndrome type 3 when caused by a mutation in the SCKL3 gene. Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD), supported by ORDR-NCATS and NHGRI.