Dennie–Marfan syndrome explained

Specialty:	neurology

Dennie–Marfan syndrome is a syndrome in which there is association of spastic paraplegia of the lower limbs and mental retardation in children with congenital syphilis.^[1] Both sexes are affected, and the onset of the disease can be acute or insidious, with slow progression from weakness to quadriplegia. Epilepsy, cataract, and nystagmus may also be found.

The syndrome was described by Charles Clayton Dennie in 1929,^[2] and Antoine Marfan in 1936.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Book: M.D. Mark E. Williams. Geriatric Physical Diagnosis: A Guide to Observation and Assessment. 2009. McFarland. 9780786451609. 56. en.
2. Dennie CC. Partial paralysis of the lower extremities in children, accompanied by backward mental development. Am J Syphilis 1929; 13: 157–163
3. Marfan AB. Paraplégie spasmodique avec troubles cérébraux d’origine hérédo-syphilitique chez les grands enfants. Revue Franc Pédiat 1936; 12: 1–16