Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
Peutz–Je·ghers syndrome
noun \ˈpə(r)ts-ˈjā-gərz-, ˈpœ̅ts-\Definition of PEUTZ-JEGHERS SYNDROME
: a familial polyposis inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and characterized by numerous polyps in the stomach, small intestine, and colon and by melanin-containing spots on the skin and mucous membranes especially of the lips and gums
Biographical Note for PEUTZ-JEGHERS SYNDROME
Peutz \ˈpœ̅ts\ J. L. A. (1886–1957), Dutch physician. Peutz published the first detailed description of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome in 1921. Some of the symptoms had been described by British physician Sir Jonathan Hutchinson in 1896.
Jeghers, Harold Joseph (1904–1990), American physician. Jeghers successively served on the medical faculties of Boston University, Georgetown University, New Jersey College of Medicine and Dentistry, and Tufts University. He also held concurrent positions with several hospitals in Boston, Washington, D.C., and Jersey City, New Jersey. His last position was that of director of St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts. His topics of research included nutrition, especially vitamin A deficiency, renal function, and skin pigmentation. He published his description of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome with V. A. McKusick and K. H. Katz in 1949.
