Characteristic phenotype in congenital nephrotic syndrome.

We present three children with congenital nephrotic syndrome and previously undescribed facial features. These include: (1) small mouth (intercommissural distance < 3rd percentile); (2) tented upper lip; (3) small nose (interalar distance -2 SD below mean); (4) fullness of cheeks giving a 'jowly' appearance; (5) overhanging outer thirds of upper eyelids. These features may reflect prolonged tissue oedema and protein malnutrition in utero and early life. CONCLUSION Characteristic facial features in congenital nephrotic syndrome may reflect intra-uterine malnutrition.