| syndrome, digeorge | This disorder is characterised by (1) low blood calcium levels (hypocalcaemia) due to underdevelopment (hypoplasia) of the parathyroid glands which control calcium; (2) underdevelopment (hypoplasia) of the thymus, an organ behind the breastbone in which lymphocytes mature and multiply; and (3) defects of the heart involving the outflow tracts from the heart. most cases of dgs are due to a microdeletion in chromosome band 22q11.2. A small number of cases have defects in other chromosomes, notably 10p13. Named after the american paediatric endocrinologist angelo more than digeorge. Other names for dgs include the third and fourth pharyngeal pouch syndrome and hypoplasia of the thymus and parathyroids. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| DiGeorge, Angelo | <person> U.S. Paediatrician, *1921. See: DiGeorge syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |