Abstract

CARVALHO, Sílvia Pimenta de et al. Dyskeratosis congenita: case report and literature review. An. Bras. Dermatol. [online]. 2003, vol.78, n.5, pp. 579-586. ISSN 1806-4841.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0365-05962003000500007.

Dyskeratosis congenita is an inherited disease characterised by the triad of abnormal skin pigmentation, nail dystrophy and mucosal leukoplakia. Non-cutaneous abnormalities (dental, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, neurological, ophthalmic, pulmonary and skeletal) have also been reported. Bone marrow failure is the main cause of early mortality, with an additional predisposition to malignancy. Men are more affected than women and X-linked recessive, autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive forms of the disease are recognised. We report a case of a male child who presented the classic triad of lesions, without familial cases. A review of the literature is also made, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, which is fundamental for an early diagnosis of the complications.

Keywords : dyskeratosis congenita; nail diseases; hyperpigmentation; leukoplakia, oral; skin pigmentation.