Wayne State University's School of Medicine and the Children's Hospital of Michigan along with the SLO Syndrome Advocacy and Exchange will host the Fourth International Symposium on Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome June 22 and 23.

SLOS is an inherited condition that causes multiple birth defects, growth retardation and mental retardation. It affects 1/30,000 children in the United States. About 40 families from 20 states and New Zealand as well as physicians from 10 institutions across the country are expected to attend the symposium.

"The greater the understanding of SLOS, the greater the potential for effective therapy, innovative treatment and possible cure," said Dr. Erawati Bawle, a WSU pediatrician at Children's Hospital. "Meetings like this, where families and physicians come together, play an essential part in furthering the treatment of these children."

The symposium, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, June 22, is targeted to physicians and families of children with SLOS. It will provide an update on the detection and treatment of SLOS as well as a forum for clinicians and researchers to discuss their work.

Presentations at the symposium, which will be in the Crowne Plaza Pontchartrain, will include information on behavioral aspects of SLOS and recommended educational intervention; the biochemistry and physiology of SLOS; and treatment of SLOS.

The second day of the event, June 23, will be a SLOS Family-Physician Clinic Day, which will allow families to discuss their children's condition with doctors who have expertise in managing SLOS. The clinic day will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Marie Carls Building of the Children's Hospital of Michigan. Transportation to the hospital from the hotel will be provided.

To register for the event, please call Joan Conard at (313) 745-4513. Although the event is free, participants must pre-register and be families or physicians SLOS patients. March of Dimes and the Fondest Wish Foundations are supporters of the event.