xeroderma pigmentosum

xeroderma pig·men·to·sum  (pgmn-tsm)

n.

A rare hereditary skin disorder caused by a defect in the enzymes that repair DNA damaged by ultraviolet light.

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[New Latin xroderma pigmentsum : xroderma, xeroderma + pigmentsum, neuter of pigmentsus, of pigment.]

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Noun

1.

xeroderma pigmentosum - a rare genetic condition characterized by an eruption of exposed skin occurring in childhood and photosensitivity with severe sunburn; inherited as a recessive autosomal trait in which DNA repair processes are defective so they are more likely to chromosome breaks and cancers when exposed to ultraviolet light xeroderma, xerodermia - a mild form of ichthyosis characterized by abnormal dryness and roughness of the skin