Achalasia and microcephaly.

The authors report the combination of achalasia, microcephaly, and mental retardation in three surviving sisters and similar manifestations in a brother who died after recurrent vomiting and respiratory infections. The achalasia in the females was relieved with an operation. There was no demonstrable chromosomal abnormality. In this family achalasia, microcephaly, and mental retardation occurred together as an apparent autosomal recessive syndrome.