Ochoa Syndrome

Synonyms

• Hydronephrosis With Peculiar Facial Expression
• Urofacial Syndrome
• Inverted Smile And Occult Neuropathic Bladder
• Partial Facial Palsy With Urinary Abnormalities

Disorder Subdivisions

• None

General Discussion

Ochoa (urofacial) syndrome, also known as hydronephrosis with peculiar facial expression, is an extremely rare inherited disorder characterized by an abnormal facial expression and obstructive disease of the urinary tract (uropathy) that are present at birth (congenital). When affected infants smile, their facial musculature turns upside down or "inverts" so that they appear to be grimacing or crying. The urinary abnormality is an obstructive uropathy in which failure of nerve signals between the bladder and the spinal cord results in incomplete emptying of the bladder (neurogenic or neuropathic bladder). In addition, neurogenic bladder may result in involuntary discharge of urine (enuresis), urinary tract infections, and/or abnormal accumulation of urine in the kidneys (hydronephrosis). Additional abnormalities may include inflammation of the kidneys and pelvis (pyelonephritis), backflow of urine into the tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder (vesicoureteral reflex), and/or involuntary spasms of the ring of muscle around the anus (external sphincter). In some cases, affected individuals may develop renal failure during adolescence or the early 20s, potentially leading to life-threatening complications.

Ochoa syndrome occurs due to disruption or changes (mutations) of a gene on the long arm (q) of chromosome 10 (10q23-q24). Ochoa syndrome has been identified as an autosomal recessive trait.
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Resources

American Association of Kidney Patients
3505 East Frontage Road
Suite 315
Tampa, FL 33607
USA
Tel: 8136368100
Fax: 8136368122
Tel: 8007492257
Email: info@aakp.org
Internet: http://www.aakp.org

American Kidney Fund, Inc.
6110 Executive Boulevard
Suite 1010
Rockville, MD 20852
USA
Tel: 3018813052
Fax: 3018810898
Tel: 8006388299
Email: helpline@kindeyfund.org
Internet: http://www.kidneyfund.org

National Kidney Foundation
30 East 33rd Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212)889-2210
Fax: (212)689-9261
Tel: (800)622-9010
Email: info@kidney.org
Internet: http://www.kidney.org

NIH/National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
3 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3580
Tel: (800)891-5390
Email: nkudic@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: http://kidney.niddk.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

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 4/1/2002
Copyright 1997, 1998, 2002 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.