Aortic dilatation in Cockayne syndrome

Cockayne syndrome is a rare growth failure and premature aging disorder featuring abnormal ultraviolet sensitivity and impaired transcription-coupled DNA repair. Cardiac involvement has not been described in Cockayne patients except for one recently described case of dilated cardiomyopathy. We describe one patient in whom marked ascending aorta dilatation was observed together with mild aortic regurgitation. Ascending aorta dilatation might be another feature of premature aging in Cockayne syndrome and may require cardiovascular investigation and monitoring. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.