Leopard spot retinal pigmentation in infancy indicating a peroxisomal disorder.

BACKGROUND

Neonatal adrenoleucodystrophy (NALD) is a rare disorder resulting from abnormal peroxisomal biogenesis. Affected patients present in infancy with developmental delay, hypotonia, and seizures. Blindness and nystagmus are prominent features. The authors suggest a characteristic leopard spot pigmentary pattern in the peripheral retina to be diagnostic.

METHODS

Three patients are reported with this presentation; the characteristic retinal appearance resulted in early diagnosis for one of these.

CONCLUSIONS

Leopard spot retinopathy in an infant with hypotonia, seizures, developmental delay, with or without dysmorphic features and hearing impairment, is a clue to the diagnosis of NALD.