Galloway-Mowat syndrome

Galloway-Mowat Syndrome (GAMOS) is an autosomal recessively inherited condition characterized by the association of nephrotic syndrome and central nervous system involvement. Several case reports and studies on small series describing the clinical and histopathological features of GAMOS have revealed the clinical heterogeneity of this condition. The consistent morphological hallmark is microcephaly, which is often present at birth (primary microcephaly) but might also develop postnatally (secondary microcephaly). Major brain abnormalities include cerebral atrophy and neural-migration defects, such as agyria, microgyria, or polymicrogyria. These structural brain abnormalities are associated with severe psychomotor impairment, hypotonia, and seizures in half of all cases. The nephrotic syndrome occurs in the first four months of life with an average of three months, and a congenital nephrotic syndrome has rarely been described. This nephrotic syndrome is steroid-resistant and associated with a constant and rapid deterioration of renal function. Death usually occurs within few years from the onset. Very recently, several genes have been identified as the cause of GAMOS.