Bloom syndrome: Timely diagnosis before growth hormone therapy is being considered

Bloom syndrome (BS) is a rare DNA-repair disorder. The disease can be recognized at an early age by the most characteristic symptoms: pre- and postnatal growth retardation and a butterflyshaped facial erythema in the face. We discuss the symptoms leading to the diagnosis in seven patients with BS. Patients with BS have a high risk to develop a malignancy. Treatment with growth hormone in Bloom patients could possibly increase the risk on developing a malignancy. To consider growth hormone therapy in Bloom patients, the diagnosis BS should be made in time.