> Fun ways to get fit

> Training for success

> Smokers get their way

> SA tests HIV concoction

> Stem cell awareness

> Safeguard your heart

> Saying sorry works

> Time to detox...

> Smoke-free cigarettes

> Swine flu not mutating

Today, 07 November 2009

› Malema’s life in danger

› Leicester sting Bok Bs

› Eskom chair faces the axe

› Nedbank, ANCYL make up

› Hofmeyr addresses Joost

Yesterday, 06 November 2009

› ANCYL, BMF back Maroga

› Vanilla Ice, ice baby?

› Eskom boss 'slaughtered'

› I have fallen hard - Joost

› Eskom boss 'pushed'

Question

Please may I have some information on Larsen's syndrome?

Answer

Larsen's syndrome describes an inherited condtion in which a child is born with multiple congenital dislocations, a prominent forehead, depressed nasal bridge and wide-spaced eyes. The children have clubfeet, dislocation of both knees, hips, and elbows, and short, cylindrical fingers. Some also have a cleft palate, hydrocephalus and abnormalities of the spine.

They are short and the boys often have undescended testes and both sexes may have genital abnormalities. They are of normal intelligence. Some are quadriplegic owing to problems with the spine.

Treatment is according to the specific skeletal abnormalities, for example, club foot can be repaired as can cleft palate.

Quality of life will vary according to the degree of skeletal abnormality.