Brushfield spots

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Example of Brushfield Spots.
Example of Brushfield Spots.

Brushfield spots are small white or grayish/brown spots on the periphery of the iris in the human eye due to aggregation of a normal iris element (connective tissue). These spots are normal in children but are also a feature of Down syndrome. They occur in 35-78% of newborn infants with Down syndrome.[1] They are much more likely to occur in Down syndrome children of the Caucasian race than children of Asian heritage.[2] Brushfield spots are named after the physician, Thomas Brushfield, who first described them in 1924[citation needed].

They are focal areas of stromal hyperplasia, surrounded by relative hypoplasia and are more common in patients with lightly pigmented irises.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Sanez, R.B. (January 1999), “Primary care of infants and young children with down syndrome.”, American Family Physician 59 (2), <http://www.aafp.org/afp/990115ap/381.html> 
  2. ^ Kim, J.H. et al (November 2002), “Characteristic ocular findings in Asian children with Down syndrome.”, Nature 16 (6), <http://www.nature.com/eye/journal/v16/n6/abs/6700208a.html> 
 This eye article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
 This medical sign article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.