Two Cases of Congenital Hypothalamic Hamartoblastoma, Polydactyly, and Other Congenital Anomalies (Pallister-Hall Syndrome)

Abstract

To the Editor: Haas,¹ Hall,² and Clarren³ and their colleagues have described a curious group of six infants, each with a hypothalamic hamartoblastoma (a very rare tumorous malformation) and a remarkably similar array of associated malformations, hamartomas, and dysplasias. Recently, two infant boys with similar syndromes were studied by autopsy at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. The infants were born eight days apart in early April. Their dates of death were eight weeks apart.The first boy was born at 35 weeks' gestation. The mother had used marijuana, cocaine, and methaqualone (Quaalude) during early pregnancy. Respiratory distress, seizures, . . .