Yellow nail syndrome in infancy

Abstract: This report describes an infant with clinical features consistent with the yellow nail syndrome (YNS), a rare autosomal dominant disorder. He presented at birth with congenital lymphoedema and was referred at 6 months of age for investigation of recurrent cough and wheeze. He had clinical and radiological evidence of bilateral pleural effusions and a pericardial effusion. Following a lung biopsy and pericardial window these were shown to be manifestations of his lymphatic abnormality. He also had persisting middle ear effusions causing conductive deafness requiring hearing aids and secondary immunodeficiency requiring regular immunoglobulin infusions.