Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Dyslogic syndrome, sometimes referred to as developmental or congenital aphasia, consists of the inability to express oneself through language due to a central nervous system dysfunction. Symptoms may not be the result of a sensory or cognitive deficit, nor may they occur due to loss of prior linguistic abilities. The primary characteristic of dyslogia is…

Dyslexia, or reading disability, is characterized by low reading achievement, as measured by an individually administered standardized test of reading accuracy or comprehension that is substantially below what would be expected given an individual’s chronological age, measured intelligence (IQ), and age-appropriate education. It should be noted, however, that recent studies have demonstrated that the same…

Dysgraphesthesia is the inability to recognize symbols drawn on parts of the body. Often referred to as a neurological “soft sign,” dysgraphesthesia is more common in children with learning disabilities or behavior disorders, although a direct causal relationship has not been found. Dysgraphesthesia has also been associated with cortical motor deficit, parietal lobe dysfunction, peripheral…

Duodenal atresia (DA) is a rare congenital anomaly of the duodenum, the first section of the small intestine, which lies adjacent to and just downstream from the outlet of the stomach. In DA there is disruption and occlusion of the tubular continuity (lumen) of the gut. Duodenal stenosis refers to a narrowing of the intestinal…

Duhring disease, also known as dermatitis herpetiformis, is a rare and chronic skin disorder that is characterized by the presence of skin lesions that cause severe itching, burning, and stinging. The etiology of the disease, which is not fully understood, is believed to be genetic predisposition. Approximately 90% of people with Duhring disease are positive…

Duane syndrome is a congenital disorder that limits range of eye movement. Sometimes called Duane retraction syndrome, this disorder affects one or both eyes, causing a retraction of the eyeball when it attempts to turn in a particular direction. Eye movement is limited in one of three ways: outward toward the ear (Type 1), inward…

Distal arthrogryposis syndrome (DAS) is a hereditary, congenital neuromuscular disorder. It is distinguished by multiple contractures of the fingers, hands, and feet. Less frequently there may be hip, knee, or shoulder involvement. Two distinct clinical forms exist.  

DiGeorge syndrome (DGS) is a set of phenotypic abnormalities including T cell-mediated immune deficits, thymic aplasia, congenital hypoparathyroidism, mild facial anomalies, developmental delay, and congenital heart defects. The syndrome was initially described in 1965. Simultaneously, other overlapping syndromes were identified, including velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS). Ultimately, secondary to an overlap of clinical symptoms, as well as…

De Sanctis-Cacchione (DSC) syndrome is a very rare, more severe variant of xerodosa pigmentosum (XP) that also includes mental retardation, numerous neurological abnormalities, dwarfism, and hypogonadism. De Sanctis–Cacchione syndrome is an inheritable disorder that is passed down as an autosomal recessive trait. This condition exhibits unique features including xeroderma pigmentosum, which is an extreme sensitivity…