APECED is also known as autoimmune polyglandular disease Type I or autoimmune-polyendocrinopathy-candidias. APECED stands for autoimmune polyendocrinopathy (APE), candidiasis (C), and ectodermal dysplasia (ED). It is a very rare genetic syndrome that involves the autoimmune system. It is a combination of several distinct disorders and is defined as the subnormal functioning of several endocrine glands at the same time (National Organization for Rare Disorders [NORD], 2000; Tierney, McPhee, & Pa- padakis, 2000; Ward et al., 1999). There are three types of APECED: polyglandular autoimmune syndrome, Type I; polyglandular autoimmune syndrome, Type II; and poly¬ glandular autoimmune syndrome, Type III. Type I affects children and adults younger than age 35. Type II more frequently strikes adults, with peak incidence at about 30 years.