The Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. A detailed pathological study as a clue to a etiological heterogeneity.

An analysis of 33 autopsied cases with the Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (including 8 cases from our practice) is presented. Polydactyly in dead SLOS children was found in 51% (17/33) of cases and occurred significantly more often in this group than in the whole group of SLOS (20-22%). Certain morphological differences in the type of renal, cerebral, pulmonary and pancreatic anomalies indicate the existence of two phenotypically similar SLOS: 1) with polydactyly; 2) without it.

The malformations of the urinary system in autosomal disorders.

Data from the world literature about the pathology of the urinary system in autosomal chromosomal disorders are analyzed and compared with our own morphological investigations of this system in 63 cases of chromosomal disorders (Patau's, Edwards', Down's, Orbeli's, Wolf-Hirschhorn's syndromes, partial trisomy B and inversion of chromosome 2). The urinary system is most frequently involved in "cat-eye", triploidy, Orbeli's, Patau's and Edwards' syndromes. All known malformations of the urinary system are observed in children with chromosomal diseases, except infantile polycystic kidney and medullary "sponge" kidney.