Lesch-Nyhan disease

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Lesch-Nyhan disease (lesh-ny-hăn) n. a sex-linked hereditary disease caused by an enzyme deficiency resulting in overproduction of uric acid. Affected boys are mentally retarded and suffer from spasticity and gouty arthritis. They also have a compulsion for self-mutilation. [ M. Lesch (1939– ) and W. L. Nyhan Jr. (1926– ), US physicians]