$Unique_ID{BRK00989}
$Pretitle{Ill Defined Symptoms and Rare Diseases}
$Title{Are There Really Leprechauns?}
$Subject{elves leprechauns Donohue's}
$Volume{N}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Are There Really Leprechauns?


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QUESTION:  I know that the leprechauns are the little people that populate
Irish folk tales, but a friend (Irish, of course) insists that there are such
people, and that they result from a medical condition.  Is he putting me on or
do you have some knowledge of this condition?

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ANSWER:  I suspect that to some extent your friend is trying to pull your leg,
although there is some substance to his story.  A rare condition, known as
Donohue's syndrome or "leprechaunism" is probably an inherited condition, seen
to occur in certain families, where the baby, almost always a girl, is slow to
develop both mentally and physically.  The facial characteristics of widely
set eyes (hypertelorism), low set and large ears and a broad nose give an
elfin aspect to the infant.  There is usually an excessive amount of body
hair, and all these features suggested the name, likening the condition to the
description of the Irish elves.  However this story has a sad ending as the
prognosis for these individuals is very poor, ending in death at an early age
for most.  Without a definite cause, and in view of its rare nature, no
treatments exist for the many other abnormalities which form part of the
syndrome.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
