von Voss-Cherstvoy syndrome with transient thrombocytopenia and normal psychomotor development

A newborn with very rare von Voss-Cherstvoy syndrome: a case report

Introduction

von Voss-Cherstvoy syndrome is a part of a group of syndromes with radial and hematologic abnormalities, and until now approximately ten cases have been reported in the literature. This syndrome is characterized by a triad of radial ray defects, occipital encephalocele, and urogenital abnormalities.

Case presentation

We report a neonate from Indian ethnicity who was diagnosed with von Voss-Cherstvoy syndrome. The neonate had radial ray defect, occipital encephalocele, tetralogy of Fallot, and bilateral agenesis of kidney, ureter, and bladder. The neonate was suspected to have von Voss-Cherstvoy syndrome on the basis of clinical features, which was further confirmed by fibroblast analysis showing somatic mosaicism for del(13q).

Conclusion

von Voss-Cherstvoy syndrome is a very rare syndrome that can be suspected on the basis of typical clinical features and confirmed by fibroblast analysis showing somatic mosaicism for del(13q). This adds a second case of this chromosome anomaly described in this syndrome.

Neurocognitive profile of a young adolescent with DK phocomelia/von Voss phocomelia/von Voss Cherstvoy syndrome

DK phocomelia/von Voss Cherstvoy syndrome is a rare condition characterized by upper limb and urogenital abnormalities and various brain anomalies. Previously reported cases have noted significant developmental delays, although no formal testing of cognitive abilities has been reported. In this paper we describe results from a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation of a 12-year-old male with DK phocomelia syndrome. Test findings indicated mild impairment in intellectual functioning, with more significant impairment in adaptive skills and academic achievement. The neuropsychological profile converged with neurological findings, showing a distinct pattern of strengths and weaknesses that suggests functional compromise of posterior brain regions with relatively well-preserved functioning of more anterior regions. Specifically, impairments were evident in perceptual reasoning, visual perception, and visuomotor integration, whereas normal or near normal functioning was evident in memory, receptive language, social cognition, attention, and most aspects of executive functioning. To our knowledge this is the first report to describe the neurocognitive profile of an individual with DK phocomelia syndrome.

Syndromes, disorders and maternal risk factors associated with neural tube defects (VII)

Neural tube defects (NTDs) may be associated with syndromes, disorders and maternal risk factors. This article provides a comprehensive review of the syndromes, disorders and maternal risk factors associated with NTDs, including DK phocomelia syndrome (von Voss-Cherstvoy syndrome), Siegel-Bartlet syndrome, fetal warfarin syndrome, craniotelencephalic dysplasia, Czeizel-Losonci syndrome, maternal cocaine abuse, Weissenbacher- Zweymller syndrome, parietal foramina (cranium bifidum), Apert syndrome, craniomicromelic syndrome, XXagonadism with multiple dysraphic lesions including omphalocele and NTDs, Fryns microphthalmia syndrome, Gershoni-Baruch syndrome, PHAVER syndrome, periconceptional vitamin B6 deficiency, and autosomal dominant Dandy-Walker malformation with occipital cephalocele. NTDs associated with these syndromes, disorders and maternal risk factors are a rare but important cause of NTDs. The recurrence risk and the preventive effect of maternal folic acid intake in NTDs associated with syndromes, disorders and maternal risk factors may be different from those of nonsyndromic multifactorial NTDs. Perinatal diagnosis of NTDs should alert doctors to the syndromes, disorders and maternal risk factors associated with NTDs, and prompt thorough etiologic investigation and genetic counseling.