polyglandular autoimmune syndromes, a group of rare disorders manifested by subnormal functioning of more than one endocrine gland. Type I is characterized by the appearance of mucocutaneous candidiasis, often occurring in childhood, and is associated with hypoparathyroidism and adrenal insufficiency. It occurs in siblings, without involvement of other generations in the family. Type II (also called Schmidt’s syndrome) involves primary adrenal insufficiency and primary thyroid failure occurring in the same patient for unclear reasons. Many of these patients have an autoimmune disorder and form antibodies against cellular fractions of many endocrine glands. See also Schmidt’s syndrome, polyendocrine deficiency syndromes, polyglandular autoimmune diseases.
