Facts about Digeorge Syndrome
DiGeorge syndrome (DGS), also called DiGeorge anomaly or thymic aplasia, is an immune system disorder that occurs when the thymus gland is absent or not fully developed. Patients are born with this disorder.
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| Digeorge Syndrome |
The thymus gland is responsible for producing white blood cells called T-cells, which help the body fight against disease and infection. When the thymus gland is absent or underdeveloped, not enough T cells are produced. Therefore, patients with DGS syndrome are vulnerable to infections.
This disorder is also associated with other developmental defects, including abnormalities of the heart and large blood vessels around the heart and face. In addition, DGS patients often have underactive parathyroid glands (hypoparathyroidism) and the tube that leads from the mouth to the stomach (esophagus) is typically underdeveloped.
