Contributor: Gordon K. Klintworth
Lipodystrophy may be congenital or acquired and several genetically distinct types are recognized: The congenital types may be generalized (congenital generalized lipodystrophy type 1 [lipodystrophy - congenital generalized type 1] and congenital generalized lipodystrophy type 2 [lipodystrophy - congenital generalized type 2]), or only involve the extremities and not the fat of the face, neck and trunk [lipodystrophy - partial] (familial partial lipodystrophy type 1 [lipodystrophy - familial partial type 1], familial partial lipodystrophy type 2 [lipodystrophy - familial partial type 2], and familial partial lipodystrophy type 3 [lipodystrophy - familial partial type 3]. One familial type of lipodystrophy is associated with congenital cataracts [cataract - congenital] and cerebellar and spinal dysfunction [lipodystrophy with congenital cataracts and neurodegeneration].