Kallmann Syndrome / Disease

Diseases & Conditions

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Kallmann Syndrome

Synonyms of Kallmann Syndrome

Hypogonadism with Anosmia
Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism and Anosmia

Disorder Subdivisions

General Discussion
Kallmann syndrome is a rare inherited disorder that mostly, but not exclusively, affects men. The major characteristics of Kallmann syndrome, in both men and women, are the failure to experience puberty and the complete or partial loss of the sense of smell. Failure to go through puberty reflects a hormonal imbalance that is caused by a failure of a part of the brain known as the hypothalamus. Patients with Kallmann syndrome show evidence of small genitalia, sterile gonads that cannot produce the sex cells (hypogonadism), and a loss of the sense of smell (anosmia). The impaired production of hormones as well as sperm and egg cells causes delayed puberty, growth and infertility.

There are three forms of Kallmann syndrome. The most common is known as KAL1. This is an X-linked form, which means that the malfunctioning gene is located on the X chromosome. The malfunctioning gene responsible for the next more common form, KAL2, has been traced to a site on chromosome 8 and the genetic inheritance is transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait. The third and most rare form of Kallmann syndrome is KAL3. This appears to be transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. The site of the malfunctioning gene has not been determined.

Organizations related to Kallmann Syndrome

MUMS (Mothers United for Moral Support, Inc) National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay WI 54301-1243
Phone #: 920-336-5333
800 #: 877-336-5333
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.netnet.net/mums/
Madisons Foundation
PO Box 241956
Los Angeles CA 90024
Phone #: 310-264-0826
800 #: N/A
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains NY 10605
Phone #: 914-428-7100
800 #: 888-663-4637
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.marchofdimes.com
NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
31 Center Dr
Bethesda MD 20892
Phone #: 301-496-5133
800 #: --
e-mail: N/A
Home page: http://www.nichd.nih.gov/

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ? (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html