Perlman syndrome--a cause of enlarged, hyperechogenic kidneys

DIS3L2 Gene Mutation Causes the Perlman Syndrome of Overgrowth and Wilms Tumor Susceptibility

The deletion of the DIS3L2 gene causes the extremely uncommon congenital overgrowth syndrome, known as Perlman syndrome, which is autosomal recessive. Polyhydramnios, macrosomia, facial dysmorphism, renal dysplasia, and several congenital abnormalities with Wilms tumor propensity are its defining features. Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS), prune belly syndrome (PBS), and Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (SGBS1) have certain similar clinical characteristics with Perlman syndrome. The syndrome is often associated with a high neonatal mortality rate and there are few reports of long-term survivors. Here, we present a case with the classic clinical features of Perlman syndrome and a DIS3L2 gene deletion that was discovered prenatally.

Rare clinical entity Perlman syndrome: is cholestasis a new finding?

Perlman syndrome is a rare syndrome characterized by polyhydramnios, fetal overgrowth, facial dysmorphism, visceromegaly, nephroblastomatosis and predisposition to Wilms tumor. Here we report on a newborn with a prenatal history of polyhydramnios who presented with nephromegaly, hypotonia, macrosomia, facial dysmorphism, cholestasis and characteristic ultrasonographic and computed tomographic appearances of renal abnormalities that are observed with Perlman syndrome. Perlman syndrome is a rare entity with a high neonatal mortality rate. This is the first case in which cholestasis has been observed. Close follow-up should be carried out for early detection of Wilms tumor.

Genetic considerations in the prenatal diagnosis of overgrowth syndromes

Large (>90%) for gestational age (LGA) fetuses are usually identified incidentally. Detection of the LGA fetus should first prompt the provider to rule out incorrect dates and maternal diabetes. Once this is done, consideration should be given to certain overgrowth syndromes, especially if anomalies are present. The overgrowth syndromes have significant clinical and molecular overlap, and are associated with developmental delay, tumors, and other anomalies. Although genetic causes of overgrowth are considered postnatally, they are infrequently diagnosed prenatally. Here, we review prenatal sonographic findings in fetal overgrowth syndromes, including Pallister-Killian, Beckwith-Wiedemann, Sotos, Perlman, and Simpson-Golabi-Behmel. We also discuss prenatal diagnosis options and recurrence risks.

Perlman syndrome: report, prenatal findings and review

Perlman syndrome is a rare overgrowth syndrome characterized by polyhydramnios with neonatal macrosomia, nephromegaly, distinctive facial appearance, renal dysplasia, nephro-blastomatosis, and predisposition to Wilms tumor (WT). We report on a newborn with prenatal sonographic signs of Perlman syndrome, large fetal ascites, nephromegaly and macrosomia. The clinical course was marked by neonatal distress, renal failure and refractory hypoxemia leading to death at 2 days of life. Renal histologic examination showed bilateral nephroblastomatosis. Genetic or epigenetic alterations of the 11p15 region (involved in the BWS), including mutation of the CDKN1C gene were excluded. No mutation of the GPC3 gene was identified. We review the 28 patients who have been reported with Perlman syndrome. The prognosis of Perlman syndrome is poor with a high neonatal mortality rate. Among the infants who survived beyond the neonatal period, 64% developed a WT and all had a developmental delay. Fetal macrosomia, ascites and polyhydramnios are frequent manifestations. Clinical overlaps with other overgrowth syndromes particularly Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome have been emphasized. Perlman syndrome is considered as an autosomal recessive condition. We review 19 patients from seven sibships with parental consanguinity in two families only. The other cases were sporadic. The 28 reported patients had only 10 unaffected sibs. The low percentage of consanguinity among parents is also puzzling for a rare recessive condition. The molecular basis of Perlman syndrome is unknown. (Epi)genetic anomalies of 11p15 and mutations in GPC3 were not studied in most of the previous reports.

Genetic syndromes and prenatally detected renal anomalies

Renal anomalies are frequently detected on the routine second trimester scan offered to all pregnant women in the UK. These anomalies may be isolated but can also be associated with other congenital anomalies. Many combinations of ultrasound scan findings constitute recognised genetic entities. Knowledge of these conditions is essential for adequate management of the pregnancy and subsequent balanced parental counselling. This short review discusses the common genetic syndromes associated with the renal abnormalities identified on the antenatal ultrasound scan, and also provides an overview of renal symptoms in chromosome imbalances and after teratogenic influences.

Syndromes and constitutional chromosomal abnormalities associated with Wilms tumour

Wilms tumour has been reported in association with over 50 different clinical conditions and several abnormal constitutional karyotypes. Conclusive evidence of an increased risk of Wilms tumour exists for only a minority of these conditions, including WT1 associated syndromes, familial Wilms tumour, and certain overgrowth conditions such as Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. In many reported conditions the rare co-occurrence of Wilms tumour is probably due to chance. However, for several conditions the available evidence cannot either confirm or exclude an increased risk, usually because of the rarity of the syndrome. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that an increased risk of Wilms tumour occurs only in a subset of individuals for some syndromes. The complex clinical and molecular heterogeneity of disorders associated with Wilms tumour, together with the apparent absence of functional links between most of the known predisposition genes, suggests that abrogation of a variety of pathways can promote Wilms tumorigenesis.

Risk of tumorigenesis in overgrowth syndromes: a comprehensive review

Overgrowth syndromes (OGS) comprise a heterogeneous group of disorders in which the main characteristic is that either weight, height, or head circumference is 2-3 standard deviations (SD) above the mean for sex and age. A striking feature of OGS is the risk of neoplasms. Here, the relative frequency of specific tumors in each OGS, topographic location, and age of appearance is determined by reviewing published cases. In some OGS (Perlman, Beckwith-Wiedemann, and Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndromes and hemihyperplasia) more than 94% of tumors appeared in the abdomen usually before 10 years of age, mainly embryonal in type. In Perlman syndrome, only Wilms tumor has been recorded, whereas in Sotos syndrome, lympho-hematologic tumors are most frequent. Based on literature review, a specific schedule protocol for tumor screening is suggested for each OGS. A schedule with different intervals and specific tests is proposed for a more rational cost/benefit program for these disorders.

Perlman syndrome: Clinical report and nine-year follow-up

We present the clinical and follow-up data of a female infant with Perlman syndrome from birth to the age of 9 years. Main features of Perlman syndrome include polyhydramnios, fetal overgrowth, neonatal macrosomia, macrocephaly, dysmorphic facial features, visceromegaly, nephroblastomatosis, and a predisposition for Wilm's tumor. In our patient, the nephromegaly with nephroblastomatosis was not present at birth or during the neonatal period; it became evident in the first months of postnatal life. A Wilm's tumor was diagnosed when she was about 1 year old. Long term follow-up documents the natural history of Perlman syndrome and allows us to establish the long-term prognosis of the affected individuals.

Prenatal diagnosis of bilateral isolated fetal hyperechogenic kidneys. Is it possible to predict long term outcome?

OBJECTIVE

To study perinatal and long term outcome following prenatal diagnosis of hyperechogenic kidneys.

DESIGN

Prospective observational cohort study.

SETTING

The Maternité Port-Royal Hôpital Cochin and at the Departments of Obstetrics and Paediatric Nephrology, Necker Enfants Malades in Paris, France.

POPULATION

Forty-three fetuses with isolated bilateral hyperechogenic kidneys.

METHODS

All patients referred with isolated bilateral hyperechogenic fetal kidneys were followed up prospectively up to 34-132 months. The following prenatal items were analysed: fetal kidney size, amniotic fluid volume, gestational age at diagnosis, family history and renal ultrasound in parents. Postmortem examination was carried out in cases with perinatal death. Postnatal follow up of survivors included postnatal ultrasound, blood pressure, serum creatinine, proteinuria, need for restricted diet, weight and height and renal biopsy when available.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Aetiology of hyperechogenicity, perinatal mortality and renal function in survivors.

RESULTS

The aetiology could be established by family history, postmortem or postnatal data, but not by prenatal ultrasound. There were 20 autosomal recessive, 8 autosomal dominant polycystic kidney diseases, 9 other renal disorders and 6 symptom-free survivors without aetiological diagnosis. There were 19 terminations of pregnancy, 5 neonatal deaths and 19 survivors, of whom 14 had normal renal function three had mild and two had end stage renal failure. None of those with severe oligohydramnios and fetal kidneys > 4 SD survived (n = 14, 10 terminations and 4 neonatal deaths), whereas of the 17 with normal amniotic fluid volume and kidneys < 4 SD, 14 survived, of whom 9 were symptom-free.

CONCLUSION

Aetiology could not be established prenatally in the absence of familial data. Kidney size and amniotic fluid volume were the best prenatal predictors of outcome.

Fetal renal anomalies and genetic syndromes

Renal abnormalities are some of the commonest and most easily detectable anomalies on ultrasound. Many are an isolated finding but the prognosis may be altered considerably by the detection of other anomalies which could indicate a genetic disorder or syndrome. It is often easier to detect presupposed anomalies and the purpose of this article is to introduce and discuss those syndromes that may present with a renal abnormality on ultrasound. Common renal findings are presented with the range of additional anomalies that should be sought and suggested diagnostic tests. It should be remembered that although for many genetic conditions specific mutation analysis is now available, this usually requires pre-pregnancy investigations. Furthermore, in some cases the definitive diagnosis may not be suspected until post mortem. By this time it may be too late to establish a cell line to confirm the suspicion using laboratory methods. It is therefore important to take tissue samples antenatally where possible, or at delivery, as postnatal samples may have a high culture failure rate.