LEOPARD syndrome: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P LEOPARD syndrome is a very rare inherited disorder. People with LEOPARD syndrome have problems with the skin, face, and heart.

T Causes
P LEOPARD syndrome is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. This means the person only needs the abnormal gene from one parent in order to inherit the disease.

T Symptoms
P LEOPARD stands for the different problems (signs and symptoms) of this disorder:
- Lentigines – large number of brown or black freckle-like skin markings that mainly affect the neck and upper chest but can appear all over the body
- Electrocardiograph conduction abnormalities – problems with the electrical and pumping functions of the heart
- Ocular hypertelorism – eyes that are spaced wide apart
- Pulmonary valve stenosis – narrowing of the pulmonary heart valve, resulting in less blood flow to the lungs and causing shortness of breath
- Abnormalities of the genitals – such as undescended testicles
- Retardation of growth (delayed growth) – including bone growth problems of the chest and spine
- Deafness – hearing loss may vary between mild and severe

T Exams and Tests
P The health care provider will perform a physical exam and listen to the heart with a stethoscope. 
P Tests that may be done include:
- ECG and echocardiogram to check the heart
- Hearing test
- CT scan of the brain
- Skull x-ray
- EEG to check the brain's function
- Blood tests to check certain hormone levels
- Removing a small amount of skin for examination (skin biopsy)

T Treatment
P Symptoms are treated as appropriate. A hearing aid may be needed. Hormone treatment may be necessary at the expected time of puberty to cause the normal changes to occur.
P Laser, cryosurgery (freezing), or bleaching creams may help lighten some of the brown spots on the skin.

T Support Groups
P These resources can provide more information on LEOPARD syndrome:
P Genetics Home Reference -- ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/noonan-syndrome-with-multiple-lentigines
P National Organization for Rare Disorders -- www.rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/leopard-syndrome

T Possible Complications
P Complications vary and include:
- Deafness
- Delayed puberty
- Heart problems
- Infertility

T When to Contact a Medical Professional
P Call your provider if there are symptoms of this disorder.
P Call for an appointment with your provider if you have a family history of this disorder and plan to have children.

T Prevention
P Genetic counseling is recommended for people with a family history of LEOPARD syndrome who want to have children.

T Alternative Names
P Multiple lentigines syndrome; Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines

T Images
- Pectus excavatum

T References
P National Organization for Rare Disorders. LEOPARD syndrome. Updated 2012. Raredisease.org Web site. rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/leopard-syndrome. Accessed May 3, 2017.
P Paller AS, Mancini AJ. Disorders of pigmentation. In: Paller AS, Mancini AJ, eds. Hurwitz Clinical Pediatric Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 11.

T Review Date 4/14/2017
P Updated by: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

