| Jarcho Levin syndrome is a genetic birth defect which | | | | There are apparently two forms of Jarcho-Levin |
| causes malformed bones in the spine (vertebrae) and | | | | Syndrome that are inherited as autosomal recessive |
| ribs. The chest has a characteristic crab-like | | | | genetic traits and termed spondylocostal dysostosis |
| appearance. Childs born with Jarcho Levin syndromes | | | | type 1 (SCDO1) and spondylocostal dyostosis type 2 |
| have intricacy breathing due to their little, malformed | | | | (SCDO2). Jarcho Levin syndrome affects both males |
| chests. Infants born with Jarcho-Levin syndrome | | | | and females. |
| have short necks, limited neck motion due to | | | | Symptoms of Jarcho Levin syndrome may comprise |
| abnormalities of the cervical vertebrae and short | | | | malformed spine bones (vertebrae) such as synthesis |
| stature. In most cases, infants with Jarcho-Levin | | | | of the bones. The malformed spine bones trigger the |
| syndrome experience respiratory insufficiency and | | | | spine to curve outward (kyphosis), inward (lordosis), |
| are prone to frequent respiratory infections | | | | and sideways (scoliosis). The malformed spine bones |
| (pneumonia) that effect in life-threatening | | | | and abnormal curves make the trunk small and cause |
| complications. | | | | short stature some of the ribs are fused together |
| The vertebrae are fused and the ribs fail to develop | | | | and others are malformed, giving the chest a |
| properly, therefore, the chest cavity is too small to | | | | crab-like appearance. Distinctive facial features and |
| accommodate the growing lungs. Infants born with | | | | mild cognitive shortage may sometimes happen. |
| Jarcho Levin syndrome have difficulty breathing due | | | | Treatment usually consists of intensive medical care, |
| to their small, malformed chests, and therefore are | | | | including treatment of respiratory infections and bone |
| prone to repeated respiratory infections (pneumonia). | | | | surgery. |