Medical Health Encyclopedia

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Chromosomes and DNA

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Xeroderma pigmentosa

Symptoms: A sunburn that does not heal following minimal sun exposure Blistering following minimal sun exposure Cutaneous telangiectasia Increasing irregular pigmentation of the skin Crusting of the skin Scaling of the skin Oozing raw skin surface Discomfort when exposed to bright light (photophobia ) Neurologic changes are sometimes noted Signs and tests: There may be a family history of xeroderma pigmentosa. Examination of the eyes may show other signs of this disorder: Clouding of the cornea Keratitis Lid tumors Blepharitis Text Continues Below The following tests can help diagnose the disorder before birth: Amniocentesis Chorionic villous sampling Culture of amniotic cells The following tests can help diagnose the disorder after the birth of the child: Culture of skin fibroblasts Skin biopsy (of skin tumors confirms the type of tumor, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or malignant melanoma)

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.