Bloom syndrome

Bloom syndrome is a disease characterized by high genetic instability, which causes breaks and rearrangements in the chromosomes of those affected. The pathology is caused by the presence of mutations in the BLM gene, which codes for a protein of the helicase family, involved in DNA repair. Its inheritance pattern is autosomal recessive.

The overall prevalence of the disease is unknown, but it is most prevalent in the Jewish or Ashkenazi population, where it is estimated at approximately 1 in 48,000 births. To date, at least 300 cases of Bloom's syndrome have been reported.

The symptomatology that characterizes this disease is diverse: increased incidence of cancer at early ages (due to high genetic instability), short stature, telangiectasia (presence of small dilated blood vessels in skin and mucous membranes), presence of hypo- and hyperpigmented areas in the skin, susceptibility to infections due to deficiency of certain immunoglobulins, hypogonadism and infertility in men and early menopause in women.

A cure for the disease is not currently available. Treatment of the pathology depends on the symptoms, including treatment with immunoglobulins for deficiencies, skin protection and/or specific treatments for cancer cases that may occur. The administration of growth hormone has also been proposed as part of the treatment, however, there is some controversy in its use because it has been linked to an increased risk of tumor development in children.