A rare genetic lipodystrophy with characteristics of abnormal subcutaneous fat distribution, resulting in preservation of visceral, neck and axillary fat and absence of lower limb and gluteofemoral subcutaneous fat. Additional clinical features are acanthosis nigricans, insulin-resistant type II diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, and hypertension, leading to pancreatitis, hepatomegaly and hepatic steatosis.

Congenital generalized lipodystrophy type 5 (CGL5) is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder characterized by childhood onset of lipodystrophy, severe nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, dyslipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL, and insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus. Affected individuals also have short stature (Payne et al., 2014). For a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of congenital generalized lipodystrophy, see CGL1 (608594).