Friday Facts! Klippel-Feil Syndrome

Welcome to Friday Facts! here on the Knowledge Safari blog. Each week we aim to shine the spotlight on various segments of special needs in order to raise awareness and provide information. Today we focus on Klippel-Feil Syndrome.



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Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) is a rare condition that is evident at birth (congenital). KFS is primarily characterized by abnormal union or fusion of two or more bones of the spinal column (vertebrae) within the neck (cervical vertebrae). Some affected individuals may also have an abnormally short neck, restricted movement of the head and neck, and a low hairline at the back of the head (posterior hairline).In some individuals with KFS, the condition may be associated with additional physical abnormalities. These may include abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis), rib defects, or other skeletal abnormalities; hearing impairment; certain malformations of the head and facial (craniofacial) area; or structural abnormalities of the heart (congenital heart defects). In addition, in some cases, neurological complications may result due to associated spinal cord injury. In most individuals with KFS, the condition appears to occur randomly for unknown reasons (sporadically). However, in other cases, KFS may be inherited as an autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive trait.



Organizations related to Klippel-Feil Syndrome
Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126Gaithersburg MD 20898-8126Phone #: 301-251-4925800 #: 888-205-2311e-mail: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/EmailForm.aspxHome page: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD


Klippel Feil Support
2901 Cutters Grove Ave.#101Anoka MN 55303Phone #: N/A800 #: N/Ae-mail: blackwhitecat95@aol.comHome page: http://www.klippelfeilsupport.com/