Lesch-Nyhan disease


Lesch-Nyhan disease

(lĕsh′nī′ăn) [Michael Lesch, b. 1939, William Leo Nyhan, b. 1926, U.S. pediatricians] An X-linked recessive metabolic disease, in which mental retardation, aggressive behavior, self-mutilation, and renal failure are exhibited by affected boys. The disease is caused by faulty purine metabolism, resulting in excessive uric acid levels in the body.