Progressive encephalopathy with edema, hypsarrhythmia and optic atrophy
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]
synonyms and keywords: Infantile cerebello optic atrophy [1]
Overview
PEHO (Progressive encephalopathy with Edema, Hypsarrhythmia and Optic atrophy) syndrome is a rare neurodegenerative disorder belonging to the group of infantile progressive encephalopathies.[2]
Epidemiology
The incidence in Finland has been estimated at 1 in 78 000, but a few patients have been described from other countries including (The Netherlands, Spain France).[3]
History and Symptoms
Onset occurs during the first few weeks or months of life with hypotonia, poor feeding, drowsiness and abnormal movements. Infantile spasms, hypsarrhythmia and seizures appear during the first year of life. Visual loss, abnormal eye movements and optic atrophy also occur during infancy. Other features include early arrest of psychomotor development, severe intellectual deficit, microcephaly, edema (particularly of the extremities), tapered fingers and facial dysmorphism (including a 'Pear-shaped' face with a narrow forehead and full cheeks, receding chin, epicanthic folds, an open mouth with a curved upper lip, protruding ear lobes and a short nose with anteverted nostrils).