Biomedical and Social Aspects of Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Tarda Cases from Bengkulu District of Indonesia

BACKGROUND: Although short stature male (SSM) cases are often found in South Bengkulu, no management reports about their existence are available. This paper summarizes the researches of biomedical and social aspects for the human genetic disorders. CASE PRESENTATION: Field survey results indicated that SSM community was located in Kedurang area, and 67 persons with SSM were successfully sampled from a population of 17,357 persons (one of 260). Anthropometric comparative studies, history of the pattern of X-linked inheritance, as well as the study of anatomy through radiology and ultrasound confirmed that SSM is spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda (SEDT). Genomic studies through characterisation of mutations of the SEDL gene revealed that point mutations on SEDT Kedurang are different from the results of previous similar studies, and these people are predicted to come from the same ancestors. It is necessary to notice that persons with SEDT have normal intellectual ability, but the physical conditions make their socio-economic competitiveness very low. Furthermore premature joint pains make persons with SEDT become old faster than the ordinary people by the age of 40 years. Realizing that they are marginalized, some of them try to come together to establish a foundation designed to make a better life. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the appropriate management of SEDT should be done by integrating to improve their nutritional status, reduce the suffering of joint pain, develop labelled molecular markers for early detection, and increase their socio-economic competitiveness.