Definition of TAR syndrome

TAR syndrome: Thrombocytopenia absent radius syndrome, in which the platelets needed for blood to clot normally are too few in number and the radius (the smaller of the two bones of the forearm) is absent, resulting in phocomelia (a 'flipper' limb). The fibula (the smaller bone in the lower leg) is also often absent. The risk of bleeding due to having too few platelets is high in early infancy. In the survivors, the platelet problem lessens with age. TAR syndrome is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. Also known as tetraphocomelia'
thrombocytopenia syndrome.