Stüve-Wiedemann Syndrome: Update on Clinical and Genetic Aspects

Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by bowed long bones, joint restrictions, dysautonomia, and respiratory and feeding difficulties, leading to death in the neonatal period and infancy in several occasions. Since the first cases in 1971, much has been learned about this condition, including its molecular basis - mutations in the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor gene (LIFR) -, natural history and management possibilities. This review aims to highlight the clinical aspects, radiological features, molecular findings, and management strategies in Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome.

Stuve-Wiedemann syndrome: is it underrecognized?

Stuve-Wiedemann Syndrome (SWS) (OMIM #601559) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by skeletal changes, bowing of the lower limb, severe osteoporosis and joint contractures, episodic hyperthermia, frequent respiratory infections, feeding problems and high mortality in early life. It is caused by mutation in the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor gene (LIFR; 151443) on chromosome 5p13. We provide the clinical follow-up and molecular aspects of six new patients who carried the same novel mutation in the LIFR gene (p.Arg692X) and three patients carried a common haplotype at the LIFR locus supporting a founder effect in the Turkish population. The probable pathogenesis of the features is also discussed. Osseous findings in the presence of other above-mentioned morbid conditions should raise the suspicion of SWS in neonates especially in Arabic and Eastern Mediterranean countries with high rate of consanguineous marriages like in Turkey. Severe osteoporosis, bone deformities, milias, leukocoria, inflammatory lesions on distal extremities, tongue biting behavior and oral ulcers could be more prominent features of the survivors beyond the neonatal period while respiratory and feeding problems are remitting. It is of crucial importance to diagnose such babies earlier in order to prevent extensive laboratory workup and to provide proper genetic counseling.

Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome and related bent bone dysplasias

Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome (SWS) is a severe congenital skeletal dysplasia associated with life threatening dysautonomic manifestations. Newborns affected with this condition exhibit distinctive shortening and bowing of the long bones with reduced bone volume. The majority of affected newborns die early due to neuromuscular complications namely hyperthermia, apnea, and swallowing difficulties. In this review, we provide an overall picture on the clinical, including long-term management, molecular and cellular aspects of SWS and discuss briefly other related bent bone dysplasias.

Differential secretion of the mutated protein is a major component affecting phenotypic severity in CRLF1-associated disorders

Crisponi syndrome (CS) and cold-induced sweating syndrome type 1 (CISS1) are disorders caused by mutations in CRLF1. The two syndromes share clinical characteristics, such as dysmorphic features, muscle contractions, scoliosis and cold-induced sweating, with CS patients showing a severe clinical course in infancy involving hyperthermia, associated with death in most cases in the first years of life. To evaluate a potential genotype/phenotype correlation and whether CS and CISS1 represent two allelic diseases or manifestations at different ages of the same disorder, we carried out a detailed clinical analysis of 19 patients carrying mutations in CRLF1. We studied the functional significance of the mutations found in CRLF1, providing evidence that phenotypic severity of the two disorders mainly depends on altered kinetics of secretion of the mutated CRLF1 protein. On the basis of these findings, we believe that the two syndromes, CS and CISS1, represent manifestations of the same disorder, with different degrees of severity. We suggest renaming the two genetic entities CS and CISS1 with the broader term of Sohar-Crisponi syndrome.

Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome: long-term follow-up and genetic heterogeneity

Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome (SWS, OMIM 601559) is a severe autosomal recessive condition caused by mutations in the leukemia inhibitory receptor (LIFR) gene. The main characteristic features are bowing of the long bones, neonatal respiratory distress, swallowing/sucking difficulties and dysautonomia symptoms including temperature instability often leading to death in the first years of life. We report here four patients with SWS who have survived beyond 36 months of age with no LIFR mutation. These patients have been compared with six unreported SWS survivors carrying null LIFR mutations. We provide evidence of clinical homogeneity of the syndrome in spite of the genetic heterogeneity.

The orthopaedic manifestations and management of children with Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome

Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome is an autosomal-recessive disorder characterised by bowing of the long bones, progressive scoliosis, episodic hyperthermia and respiratory distress, usually resulting in death in infancy. We reviewed five children with the condition who had been followed since birth and who survived into childhood with a mean age at operation of 7.8 years (5 to 14). There was marked functional impairment with dysplasia of the long bones and scoliosis. Treatment of the triplanar deformities of the femora involved the use of the Ilizarov technique with the Taylor Spatial Frame.

Walking was preserved and improved in three children along with considerable enhancement of the appearance. Early insertion of a growing rod to control the progressive juvenile scoliosis was beneficial. The use of the Taylor Spatial Frame is strongly recommended to address the major complex deformities of the lower limbs which are encountered in this condition and to prevent their progression.

Cold-induced sweating syndrome: CISS1 and CISS2: manifestations from infancy to adulthood. Four new cases

Cold-induced sweating syndrome (CISS), a rare autosomal recessive disorder, is genetically heterogeneous. Deficiency of the CRLF1 and the CLCF1 gene functions results in CISS1 and CISS2, respectively. So far, only a single patient with CISS2 has been reported. Here we describe four new cases of CISS, two additional patients with CISS2 (confirming locus heterogeneity) and two patients with CISS1. Their case histories are given in detail to emphasize the striking similarity of their presentation, which makes a clinical differentiation impossible. All four cases had a uniform presentation in the neonatal period, much like Crisponi syndrome - inability to suckle and swallow due to facial and bulbar weakness; excessive startle and trismus-like facial contractions when crying or being handled; apnoeic spells; episodic unexplained fevers (up to 41 degrees C) and associated seizures or even sudden death; erythematous skin rashes; and camptodactyly. Thus it is evident that Crisponi syndrome is the pediatric manifestation of both CISS1 and CISS2. Signs abate during infancy and most children have a normal psychomotor development. During the first decade all children develop scoliosis and abnormal sweating which is the most disabling symptom in adulthood. We report that cold-induced sweating can be effectively treated. Detailed clinical observations, correlated with the findings from basic science research, may serve to elucidate the role(s) of this important cytokine complex in embryonic and postnatal development.

Abnormal oral-pharyngeal swallowing as cause of morbidity and early death in Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome

Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome (SWS) is an autosomal recessive bone dysplasia (OMIM #601559) characterized by bowing of long bones, camptodactyly, respiratory insufficiency, hyperthermic episodes, and neonatal death from hyperthermia or apnea. We describe two female siblings with SWS born from consanguineous Gypsy parents. For a further delineation of SWS, we report hypothyroidism and ectopic thyroid as part of its phenotypic spectrum. Molecular study in the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) gene (OMIM *151 443) demonstrated the presence of a mutation. We observed that in one of our patients, oropharyngeal disruption in the swallowing process caused repetitive aspiration pneumonias, life-threatening events, and finally death. We emphasize that these features represent dysautonomic manifestations of SWS, and are probably related to pharyngoesophageal dyskinesia due to abnormal autonomic control of the anterior rami of cervical roots C1-C5.

Stuve Wiedemann syndrome and related syndromes: case report and possible anesthetic complications

Stuve Wiedemann syndrome (SWS) is an autosomal recessively inherited syndrome which is characterized by bowing of the long bones, camptodactyly, facial dysmorphism, hypotonia, feeding and swallowing difficulties, and respiratory distress. In most cases episodes of unexplained hyperthermia are present. Patients with SWS can develop hyperthermia in conjunction with anesthesia and surgery, and a relationship has been suggested between the syndrome and malignant hyperthermia. We describe a 3-year-old child diagnosed with SWS to whom we administered general anesthesia during the removal of a corneal ulcer and dilatation of the lacrimal duct. Our patient had received, uncomplicated, inhalational anesthesia five times previously for different operations. There were no anesthesia-related complications in the present or previous perioperative periods. On one occasion the patient developed mild postoperative hyperthermia. We believe that this hyperthermia is different from the specific disorder of malignant hyperthermia and that sevoflurane can be safely used in patients with SWS. We also describe symptomatically related syndromes and their theoretical risks for anesthesia.

Congenital contractures and distinctive phenotypic features consistent with Stuve-Wiedmann syndrome in a male infant

Introduction

Expressionless face associated with multiple contractures has been encountered in an infant. There is a wide range of misconception regarding the categorization of children with multiple contractures among different pediatric disciplines. The fundamental element in categorizing children with multiple contractures is "the etiological understanding". In the absence of concomitant neuromuscular disease, however, the search for other reasons is mandatory. Our present paper signifies the necessity of proper interpretations of unusual clinical and radiographic features.

Case presentation

We describe a 3-months-old-infant presented with the phenotypic and the radiographic features consistent with the diagnosis of Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome. We report what might be the first clinical report of Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome from a consanguineous family in Austria.

Conclusion

Congenital limitations of the hips in a newborn infant raise the possibility of " Congenital Hip Dislocation". As congenital hip dislocation is a dysplastic process. Here further knowledge by the pediatrician and the orthopaedic surgeon is needed. Our present patient appears to constitute a distinct pathological entity consistent with Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome (SWS). Superti-Furga et al, and Cormier-Daire et al, also suggest that Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome and Schwartz-Jampel syndrome type 2 are allelic conditions. We wish to stress that, given the rarity of syndromic malformation complex, our impression is that it is more common than it is reported.

Long-term follow-up in Stuve-Wiedemann syndrome: a clinical report

Stuve-Wiedemann syndrome (SWS) is an autosomal recessively inherited disorder that is usually associated with high mortality in the neonatal period. Eleven cases have been published with prolonged survival, the oldest being 16 years. This phenotype is characterized by progressive skeletal anomalies including short stature, severe spinal deformities, bowing of the long bones, contractures and spontaneous fractures, and by neurological features that resemble dysautonomia. Here we report on the natural history of a Portuguese girl from birth till 12 years. The diagnosis was molecularly confirmed by the detection of a homozygous 4 bp deletion (167_170 del TAAC) in exon 3 of LIFR. We compare the findings in this patient to other patients with prolonged survival from the literature.

Angulated femurs and the skeletal dysplasias: experience of the International Skeletal Dysplasia Registry (1988-2006)

Angulated or bent femur (isolated or associated with other long bone bowing) in the fetus or newborn is relatively common when evaluating patients with skeletal dysplasias. To determine the extent and heterogeneity of disorders associated with angulated or bent femurs, we analyzed cases in the radiographic database (1998-2006) of the International Skeletal Dysplasia Registry (ISDR) and determined which established skeletal dysplasias and genetic syndromes are associated with this finding. The results show that more than 40 distinct disorders with varying frequency (very rare to more commonly occurring disorders) can be associated with bowed/bent/angulated femurs. Sixty-six percent of the cases with angulated femurs belonged to three well described groups of disorders; campomelic disorders (24.4%), thanatophoric dysplasia (23.9%) and osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) (18.1%). With specific emphasis on these, this cross-sectional cohort provides discussion of data on other rare disorders associated with angulated femurs and the importance of the finding relative to its occurrence within a diagnostic group. This study aims to provide differential diagnosis of entities to be considered when a fetus or newborn is found to have congenital bowing/angulation of the femur.

Radiological manifestations of the skeleton, lungs and brain in Stueve-Wiedemann syndrome

A total of 25 patients with the rare skeletal dysplasia Stueve-Wiedemann syndrome (SWS) have been evaluated during the last 11 years. Of all patients with clinical suspicion of SWS, skeletal and chest radiographs were obtained for classification of the underlying skeletal dysplasia. In one case, CT was carried out for the first time for further investigation of the midface hypoplasia. Typical conventional radiological findings and CT features were analysed and compared with published data. Early diagnosis of SWS was made by correlating radiological and clinical findings. Follow-up radiological examinations of the skeleton and of the chest were carried out in six children surviving infancy for evaluation of progression. Clinically, they suffered from progressive orthopaedic problems, recurrent aspiration pneumonia and recurrent episodes of hyperthermia, as well as cutaneous infections. Radiologically progressive bowing of the long tubular bones and progressive metaphyseal decalcification were present on follow-up skeletal radiographs. Skeletal abnormalities in SWS are so characteristic that an early post-partum diagnosis can be made by correlation of typical clinical and radiological findings. Few cases survive infancy. First, these patients face progressive orthopaedic problems and respiratory infections.

Mutations in cytokine receptor-like factor 1 (CRLF1) account for both Crisponi and cold-induced sweating syndromes

Crisponi syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by congenital muscular contractions of facial muscles, with trismus in response to stimuli, dysmorphic features, bilateral camptodactyly, major feeding and respiratory difficulties, and access of hyperthermia leading to death in the first months of life. The overlap with Stuve-Wiedemann syndrome (SWS) is striking, but the two conditions differ in that congenital lower limb bowing is absent in Crisponi syndrome, whereas it is a cardinal feature of SWS. We report here the exclusion of the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor gene in Crisponi syndrome and the identification of homozygote or compound heterozygote cytokine receptor-like factor 1 (CRLF1) mutations in four children from three unrelated families. The four mutations were located in the immunoglobulin-like and type III fibronectin domains, and three of them predicted premature termination of translation. Using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we found a significant decrease in CRLF1 mRNA expression in patient fibroblasts, which is suggestive of a mutation-mediated decay of the abnormal transcript. CRLF1 forms a heterodimer complex with cardiotrophin-like cytokine factor 1, and this heterodimer competes with ciliary neurotrophic factor for binding to the ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor (CNTFR) complex. The identification of CRLF1 mutations in Crisponi syndrome supports the key role of the CNTFR pathway in the function of the autonomic nervous system.

Crisponi syndrome is caused by mutations in the CRLF1 gene and is allelic to cold-induced sweating syndrome type 1

Crisponi syndrome is a severe autosomal recessive condition that is phenotypically characterized by abnormal, paroxysmal muscular contractions resembling neonatal tetanus, large face, broad nose, anteverted nares, camptodactyly, hyperthermia, and sudden death in most cases. We performed homozygosity mapping in five Sardinian and three Turkish families with Crisponi syndrome, using high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism arrays, and identified a critical region on chromosome 19p12-13.1. The most prominent candidate gene was CRLF1, recently found to be involved in the pathogenesis of cold-induced sweating syndrome type 1 (CISS1). CISS1 belongs to a group of conditions with overlapping phenotypes, also including cold-induced sweating syndrome type 2 and Stuve-Wiedemann syndrome. All these syndromes are caused by mutations of genes of the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF)-receptor pathway. Here, we describe the identification of four different CRLF1 mutations in eight different Crisponi-affected families, including a missense mutation, a single-nucleotide insertion, and a nonsense and an insertion/deletion (indel) mutation, all segregating with the disease trait in the families. Comparison of the mutation spectra of Crisponi syndrome and CISS1 suggests that neither the type nor the location of the CRLF1 mutations points to a phenotype/genotype correlation that would account for the most severe phenotype in Crisponi syndrome. Other, still-unknown molecular factors may be responsible for the variable phenotypic expression of the CRLF1 mutations. We suggest that the syndromes can comprise a family of "CNTF-receptor-related disorders," of which Crisponi syndrome would be the newest member and allelic to CISS1.

New insights in congenital bowing of the femora

The aim of this study is to review the clinical, radiological and molecular findings of the bent bone dysplasia group including Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome due to LIFR mutations, Compomelic dysplasia due to SOX9 mutations and Kyphomelic dysplasia with no known molecular bases.

Null leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) mutations in Stuve-Wiedemann/Schwartz-Jampel type 2 syndrome

Stuve-Wiedemann syndrome (SWS) is a severe autosomal recessive condition characterized by bowing of the long bones, with cortical thickening, flared metaphyses with coarsened trabecular pattern, camptodactyly, respiratory distress, feeding difficulties, and hyperthermic episodes responsible for early lethality. Clinical overlap with Schwartz-Jampel type 2 syndrome (SJS2) has suggested that SWS and SJS2 could be allelic disorders. Through studying a series of 19 families with SWS/SJS2, we have mapped the disease gene to chromosome 5p13.1 at locus D5S418 (Zmax=10.66 at theta =0) and have identified null mutations in the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR or gp190 chain) gene. A total of 14 distinct mutations were identified in the 19 families. An identical frameshift insertion (653_654insT) was identified in families from the United Arab Emirates, suggesting a founder effect in that region. It is interesting that 12/14 mutations predicted premature termination of translation. Functional studies indicated that these mutations alter the stability of LIFR messenger RNA transcripts, resulting in the absence of the LIFR protein and in the impairment of the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway in patient cells. We conclude, therefore, that SWS and SJS2 represent a single clinically and genetically homogeneous condition due to null mutations in the LIFR gene on chromosome 5p13.

Crisponi syndrome: Report of a further patient

Crisponi syndrome was described in the original paper in 17 patients form 12 families [Crisponi, 1996: Am J Med Genet 62:365-371]. It is characterised by episodes of muscle contraction in response to external stimuli and intermittent hypethermia with neonatal onset. The disease is often lethal in the first infancy. We describe a patient with the same unusual phenotype.

Cardiovascular abnormalities associated with the Stuve-Wiedemann syndrome

The Stuve-Wiedemann syndrome (SWS) is a congenital bone dysplasia characterized by camptodactyly with ulnar deviation and congenital bowing of the long bones. Affected patients present with respiratory difficulties in the neonatal period or later and recurrent episodes of hyperthermia. The typical radiological findings are bowing of the long bones of the lower limbs, wide metaphyses with decreased density, and abnormal trabecular pattern. Generally, respiratory insufficiency and hyperthermia are reported to be the cause of death. We report on two sibs with SWS, who died from severe pulmonary hypertension with pulmonary artery wall abnormality. We suggest a common pathophysiological process, which could explain the cardiovascular findings that we observed immediately after birth in the two affected sibs. We hypothesize that the severe pulmonary hypertension due to the arterial wall abnormality could explain the neonatal death of these two children.

Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome in children surviving infancy: clinical and radiological features

We report three children from two inbred Arab families with Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome who have survived the first year of life (ages are 6 years, 2.8 years and 2 years). All exhibited a characteristic phenotype resembling that described by Chen et al.[(2001). Am J Med Genet 101:240-245]. In all three children the skeletal abnormalities progressed to severe bowing of the long bones with prominent joints and severe spinal deformity. Neurological symptoms were present in all of them. These included temperature instability with excessive sweating, reduced pain sensation with repeated injury to the tongue and limbs, absent corneal reflexes and a smooth tongue. Mentality was normal in all of them. Radiological changes included under tubulation of the diaphyses, rarefaction and striation of metaphyses, destruction of the femoral heads and spinal deformity. We confirm that survival in this syndrome is possible and that the prognosis improves after the first year of life. This should be taken into consideration when counselling parents of affected children. This report further supports the existence of a characteristic phenotype in Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome survivors which include, in addition to the skeletal abnormalities and distinctive radiological features, neurological symptoms reminiscent of dysautonomia.

Schwartz-jampel syndrome: report of five cases

We describe five patients with Schwartz-Jampel syndrome (SJS) examined at the outpatient service for neuromuscular disorders at our Institution from 1996 to 1999 with the objective of emphasizing the characteristic dysmorphic phenotype of SJS and its different clinical forms. Two cases presented SJS-type 1A, two had SJS-type 1B and one manifested SJS-type 2. Two boys with 3 and 13 years of age had generalized stiffness and the characteristic facial as well as osteoarticular changes from birth. Other two boys with 11 and 7 years had less marked dysmorphic changes at birth and manifested myotonia, as a limiting factor, during the second year of age. A girl with two months of age had severe myotonia from birth leading to feeding diffuculties. In all cases the diagnosis was based on dysmorphic features, and on electromyographic changes showing continuous electrical activity of muscle fibers. All were treated with carbamazepine, 20-30 mg/Kg since diagnosis. The four boys (all with normal intelligence) improved of myotonia in daily activities, markedly in three, and moderately in one. The girl did not improve and showed global development delay: by the last follow-up (at 20 months of age) she did not sit unsupported, and had mental retardation. Carbamazepine in SJS-type 1 improves general daily performance and psychological status of the patients.

Characterization of a long-term survivor with Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome and mosaicism of a supernumerary marker chromosome

Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome (SWS) is typically lethal in the neonatal period; only two patients have been reported with a longer survival. We report a new patient with SWS, who at 9 years of age is one of the longest survivors with this disorder. In addition to the characteristic features of SWS, she has a number of unique clinical signs, including lack of corneal and patellar reflexes, a smooth tongue with no fungiform papillae, chronic gingival abscesses, mottled, poor dentition, blotchy pigmentation of the skin, unusual infections, multiple fractures, and progressive scoliosis. Cytogenetic analysis identified mosaicism for a supernumerary marker chromosome (SMC), seen in the majority of amniocytes, blood, and skin fibroblasts. The SMC was shown to be derived from chromosome 5 and contains euchromatin. The significance of the SMC to the etiology of SWS is unknown. This patient further demonstrates that SWS is not universally lethal.

Schwartz-Jampel syndrome type 2 and Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome: a case for "lumping"

Recent studies demonstrated the existence of a genetically distinct, usually lethal form of the Schwartz-Jampel syndrome (SJS) of myotonia and skeletal dysplasia, which we called SJS type 2. This disorder is reminiscent of another rare condition, the Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome (SWS), which comprises campomelia at birth with skeletal dysplasia, contractures, and early death. To test for possible nosologic identity between these disorders, we reviewed the literature and obtained a follow-up of the only two surviving patients, one with SJS type 2 at age 10 years and another with SWS at age 7 years. Patients reported as having either neonatal SJS or SWS presented a combination of a severe, prenatal-onset neuromuscular disorder (with congenital joint contractures, respiratory and feeding difficulties, tendency to hyperthermia, and frequent death in infancy) with a distinct campomelic-metaphyseal skeletal dysplasia. The similarity of the clinical and radiographic findings is so extensive that these disorders appear to be a single entity. The follow-up observation of an identical and unique pattern of progressive bone dysplasia in the two patients (one with SJS type 2, one with SWS) surviving beyond infancy adds to the evidence in favor of identity. The hypothesis that SWS and SJS type 2 are the same disorder should be testable by molecular methods.