Amin J. Barakat (born November 2, 1942) is a Lebanese-American physician known for the description of Barakat syndrome. Barakat was in full-time pediatric practice at Northern Virginia Pediatric Associates before retiring in 2020. He is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. He is also clinical professor of pediatrics and pediatric nephrology at Georgetown University. Barakat is a member of the ALSAC/St Jude Children's Research Hospital Leadership Council, and president of the American Foundation for Saint George Hospital.

Early and personal life

Barakat was born in Mounsef, Byblos, Lebanon, and attended Tripoli Boys School in Tripoli and International College, Beirut. He received his college and medical education at the American University of Beirut (AUB). From 1967 to 1970, he completed pediatric residencies at AUB and Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, and then obtained fellowship training in pediatric nephrology at Georgetown University from 1970 to 1972. Barakat has held academic teaching positions at AUB, Vanderbilt and Georgetown universities. Barakat is married to Amal Nassar and has three children. He lives in Vienna, Virginia.

Research

Barakat's focus in research has been with children with rare hereditary and congenital kidney disease.

Barakat syndrome

In 1977, Barakat and co-authors J.B. D'Albora, M.M. Martin, and P.A. Jose described four siblings with familial nephrosis, nerve deafness, and hypoparathyroidism. This syndrome is now known as Barakat syndrome. Barakat syndrome is an inherited condition characterized by hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural hearing loss, and renal (kidney) disease. Most cases have been attributed to a mutation on chromosome 10p which affects the GATA3 gene. Inheritance is likely autosomal dominant. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive.

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Awards and honors