Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia

Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia is a condition characterized by short stature, kidney disease, and a weakened immune system. People with this condition have flattened spinal bones (vertebrae) that shorten their neck and trunk. The adult height for people with this condition is typically between 3 and 5 feet. Additional skeletal problems in people with Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia include abnormalities of the hip joints and the end of the leg bones where they meet the hip joint. These skeletal problems can cause the hip joints to break down (degenerate) over time, leading to joint pain and a limited range of movement. This combination of skeletal problems and spinal abnormalities is called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia as it affects the bones of the spine (spondylo-) and the ends of long bones (epiphyses) in the legs. It affects most people with Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia.People with Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia often have kidney (renal) disease that may lead to life-threatening renal failure and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). 

Individuals with Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia also have a shortage of immune system cells called T cells. T cells identify foreign substances and defend the body against infection. This shortage of T cells causes people with Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia to have recurrent infections.

Other features frequently seen in people with Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia include an exaggerated curvature of the lower back (lordosis); darkened patches of skin (hyperpigmentation), typically on the chest and back; abnormalities of the teeth; and a broad nasal bridge with a rounded tip of the nose.

Less common signs and symptoms of Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia include an accumulation of fatty deposits in the lining of the arteries (atherosclerosis), reduced blood flow to the brain (ischemic stroke), migraine-like headaches, an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), a decrease in the number of blood cells (anemia), a lack of sperm (azoospermia), and irregular menstruation.

In severe cases, individuals with Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia do not survive past childhood. In mild cases, people with Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia can survive into adulthood.