Abstract
We report the occurrence of symmetrical thalamic calcifications (STC) in one of a
pair of monozygotic twins born at term without evidence of pre- or peri-natal asphyxia.
STC is known to be an extremely rare condition in infants. Judging from the few cases
reported in the literature, the clinical presentation is very severe: low Apgar score,
no spontaneous movements, spasticity or marked hypotonia, impaired suck and swallow,
facial diplegia. The prognosis is also very poor. The etiology is still a matter of
debate: genetic, infectious, toxic or hypoxic-ischemic insults have been hypothesized.
In our case, the presence of the lesion in one of a pair of monozygotic twins would
rule out any genetic origin, nor was there any evidence of toxic or infectious disease.
The only potential risk factor for fetal damage was hypoxic-ischemic insult related
to the twin pregnancy.
Keywords
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
April 14,
2004
Received in revised form:
April 8,
2004
Received:
May 13,
2002
Identification
Copyright
© 2004 Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
