Kocher-Debre-Semelaigne syndrome: hypothyroidism with muscle pseudohypertrophy.

Kocher-Debre-Semelaigne syndrome is a rare association of muscular pseudohypertrophy and hypothyroidism in children. We report two cases of this syndrome in this communication. The first case was a seven-years-old female who presented with features of hypothyroidism and muscle pseudohypertrophy. The second child had similar manifestations but was only fifteen months of age at diagnosis. This is one of the youngest patients reported to have the Kocher-Debre-Semelaigne syndrome. A short review of the literature is also presented.

Neurological manifestations of HIV infection.

Case records of HIV infected patients were analyzed for identifying neurological manifestations. Eight patients (7 males) were identified to have probable HIV encephalopathy (in a period of 24 months) as per the CDC revised classification system. Their ages ranged from one year to ten years. The neurological manifestations noted included-developmental delay (2 cases), seizures (6 cases), acute onset alteration of sensorium (4 cases), aphasia (2 cases), loss of vision (2 cases), focal neurological deficits (6 cases), brisk deep tendon reflexes (7 cases), extensor plantar responses (5 cases) and signs of cerebellar dysfunction (2 cases). Other clinical features included growth failure, microcephaly, fever, lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, pneumonia, otorrhea and oral candidiasis. Cerebrospinal fluid studies were normal. The neuroimaging features included cerebral atrophy and ventricular dilatation, cerebral infarction, basal ganglia calcification and cerebellar atrophy. Childhood HIV infection may have a variety of neurological abnormalities. HIV infection should be suspected in children presenting with unexplained neurological manifestations and growth failure.