WERNER-SYNDROME

Patients with Werner's syndrome almost invariably have disorders of th e skin or its appendages; therefore, dermatologists should be aware of the typical clincial picture. Characteristic features include short s tature with slender limbs and stocky trunk; growth arrested at puberty ; thin, sparse, prematurely gray hair; cataracts appearing in patients in their 20s and 30s; shiny, taut skin with ulcers of feet and legs; hyperkeratotic calluses; endocrine abnormalities; and increased likeli hood of neoplasms among patients and their families. The probability o f the appearance of this autosomal recessive disease is increased by c onsanguineous marriage. The life span of patients is shortened, and de ath usually results from vascular disease or malignancy.