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Hageman G, Nihom J. Fetuses and infants with Amyoplasia congenita in congenital Zika syndrome: The evidence of a viral cause. A narrative review of 144 cases. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2023; 42:1-14. [PMID: 36442412 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2022.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Amyoplasia congenita is the most frequent type of arthrogryposis causing fetal hypokinesia, leading to congenital contractures at birth. The pathogenesis is thought to be impaired blood circulation to the fetus early in pregnancy, with hypotension and hypoxia damaging the anterior horn cells. In animal studies however a prenatal infection with a poliomyelitis-like viral agent was demonstrated. Congenital Zika virus syndrome (CZVS) has recently been described in infants with severe microcephaly, and in 10-25% of cases arthrogryposis. METHODS A search in PubMed for CZVS yielded 124 studies. After a selection for arthrogryposis, 35 papers were included, describing 144 cases. The studies were divided into two categories. 1) Those (87 cases) focussing on imaging or histological data of congenital brain defects, contained insufficient information to link arthrogryposis specifically to lesions of the brain or spinal motor neuron. 2) In the other 57 cases detailed clinical data could be linked to neurophysiological, imaging or histological data. RESULTS In category 1 the most frequent brain abnormalities in imaging studies were ventriculomegaly, calcifications (subcortical, basal ganglia, cerebellum), hypoplasia of the brainstem and cerebellum, atrophy of the cerebral cortex, migration disorders and corpus callosum anomalies. In category 2, in 38 of 57 cases clinical data were indicative of Amyoplasia congenita. This diagnosis was confirmed by electromyographic findings (13 cases), by MRI (37 cases) or histology (12 cases) of the spinal cord. The latter showed small or absent lateral corticospinal tracts, and cell loss and degeneration of motor neuron cells. Zika virus-proteins and flavivirus-like particles were detected in cytoplasm of spinal neurons. CONCLUSION The phenotype of arthrogryposis in CZVS is consistent with Amyoplasia congenita. These findings warrant search for an intrauterine infection with any neurotropic viral agent with affinity to spinal motor neurons in neonates with Amyoplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Hageman
- Department of Neurology, Medical Spectrum Twente, Hospital Enschede, the Netherlands.
| | - J Nihom
- Department of Neurology, Medical Spectrum Twente, Hospital Enschede, the Netherlands
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2
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Population-level deficit of homozygosity unveils CPSF3 as an intellectual disability syndrome gene. Nat Commun 2022; 13:705. [PMID: 35121750 PMCID: PMC8817032 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28330-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractPredicting the pathogenicity of biallelic missense variants can be challenging. Here, we use a deficit of observed homozygous carriers of missense variants, versus an expected number in a set of 153,054 chip-genotyped Icelanders, to identify potentially pathogenic genotypes. We follow three missense variants with a complete deficit of homozygosity and find that their pathogenic effect in homozygous state ranges from severe childhood disease to early embryonic lethality. One of these variants is in CPSF3, a gene not previously linked to disease. From a set of clinically sequenced Icelanders, and by sequencing archival samples targeted through the Icelandic genealogy, we find four homozygous carriers. Additionally, we find two homozygous carriers of Mexican descent of another missense variant in CPSF3. All six homozygous carriers of missense variants in CPSF3 show severe intellectual disability, seizures, microcephaly, and abnormal muscle tone. Here, we show how the absence of certain homozygous genotypes from a large population set can elucidate causes of previously unexplained recessive diseases and early miscarriage.
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3
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Van Bergen NJ, Bell KM, Carey K, Gear R, Massey S, Murrell EK, Gallacher L, Pope K, Lockhart PJ, Kornberg A, Pais L, Walkiewicz M, Simons C, Wickramasinghe VO, White SM, Christodoulou J. Pathogenic variants in nucleoporin TPR (translocated promoter region, nuclear basket protein) cause severe intellectual disability in humans. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 31:362-375. [PMID: 34494102 PMCID: PMC8825455 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is a multi-protein complex that regulates the trafficking of macromolecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm. Genetic variants in components of the NPC have been shown to cause a range of neurological disorders, including intellectual disability and microcephaly. Translocated promoter region, nuclear basket protein (TPR) is a critical scaffolding element of the nuclear facing interior of the NPC. Here, we present two siblings with biallelic variants in TPR who present with a phenotype of microcephaly, ataxia and severe intellectual disability. The variants result in a premature truncation variant, and a splice variant leading to a 12-amino acid deletion respectively. Functional analyses in patient fibroblasts demonstrate significantly reduced TPR levels, and decreased TPR-containing NPC density. A compensatory increase in total NPC levels was observed, and decreased global RNA intensity in the nucleus. The discovery of variants that partly disable TPR function provide valuable insight into this essential protein in human disease, and our findings suggest that TPR variants are the cause of the siblings' neurological disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole J Van Bergen
- Brain and Mitochondrial Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Katrina M Bell
- Bioinformatics Methods group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Royal Children’s Hospital, VIC, Australia
| | - Kirsty Carey
- RNA Biology and Cancer Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Russell Gear
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Royal Children’s Hospital, VIC, Australia
| | - Sean Massey
- Brain and Mitochondrial Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Edward K Murrell
- Brain and Mitochondrial Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lyndon Gallacher
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Royal Children’s Hospital, VIC, Australia
| | - Kate Pope
- Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Paul J Lockhart
- Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Andrew Kornberg
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Neurology Department, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Neurosciences Research, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lynn Pais
- Center for Mendelian Genomics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marzena Walkiewicz
- Translational Genomics Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Cas Simons
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Royal Children’s Hospital, VIC, Australia
- Translational Genomics Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - MCRI Rare Diseases Flagship
- Brain and Mitochondrial Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Bioinformatics Methods group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Royal Children’s Hospital, VIC, Australia
- Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Neurosciences Research, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
- Translational Genomics Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Vihandha O Wickramasinghe
- RNA Biology and Cancer Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Susan M White
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Royal Children’s Hospital, VIC, Australia
| | - John Christodoulou
- Brain and Mitochondrial Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Discipline of Child & Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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4
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Borg R, Farrugia Wismayer M, Bonavia K, Farrugia Wismayer A, Vella M, van Vugt JJFA, Kenna BJ, Kenna KP, Vassallo N, Veldink JH, Cauchi RJ. Genetic analysis of ALS cases in the isolated island population of Malta. Eur J Hum Genet 2021; 29:604-614. [PMID: 33414559 PMCID: PMC8115635 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-020-00767-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic isolates are compelling tools for mapping genes of inherited disorders. The archipelago of Malta, a sovereign microstate in the south of Europe is home to a geographically and culturally isolated population. Here, we investigate the epidemiology and genetic profile of Maltese patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), identified throughout a 2-year window. Cases were largely male (66.7%) with a predominant spinal onset of symptoms (70.8%). Disease onset occurred around mid-age (median age: 64 years, men; 59.5 years, female); 12.5% had familial ALS (fALS). Annual incidence rate was 2.48 (95% CI 1.59–3.68) per 100,000 person-years. Male-to-female incidence ratio was 1.93:1. Prevalence was 3.44 (95% CI 2.01–5.52) cases per 100,000 inhabitants on 31st December 2018. Whole-genome sequencing allowed us to determine rare DNA variants that change the protein-coding sequence of ALS-associated genes. Interestingly, the Maltese ALS patient cohort was found to be negative for deleterious variants in C9orf72, SOD1, TARDBP or FUS genes, which are the most commonly mutated ALS genes globally. Nonetheless, ALS-associated repeat expansions were identified in ATXN2 and NIPA1. Variants predicted to be damaging were also detected in ALS2, DAO, DCTN1, ERBB4, SETX, SCFD1 and SPG11. A total of 40% of patients with sporadic ALS had a rare and deleterious variant or repeat expansion in an ALS-associated gene, whilst the genetic cause of two thirds of fALS cases could not be pinpointed to known ALS genes or risk loci. This warrants further studies to elucidate novel genes that cause ALS in this unique population isolate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Borg
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Maia Farrugia Wismayer
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Karl Bonavia
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Andrew Farrugia Wismayer
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Malcolm Vella
- Department of Neuroscience, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | - Joke J F A van Vugt
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Brendan J Kenna
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kevin P Kenna
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Neville Vassallo
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Jan H Veldink
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben J Cauchi
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta. .,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.
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5
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Yates TM, Campeau PM, Ghoumid J, Kibaek M, Larsen MJ, Smol T, Albaba S, Hertz JM, Balasubramanian M. Biallelic variants in GLE1 with survival beyond neonatal period. Clin Genet 2020; 98:622-625. [PMID: 32954510 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T Michael Yates
- The University of Edinburgh MRC Human Genetics Unit, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Philippe M Campeau
- Department of Pediatrics, Sainte-Justine Hospital, University of Montreal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Jamal Ghoumid
- CHU Lille, Clinique de Génétique Guy Fontaine, Lille, France
| | - Maria Kibaek
- Department of Pediatrics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Martin J Larsen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Thomas Smol
- CHU Lille, Institut de Génétique Médicale, Lille, France
| | - Sami Albaba
- Sheffield Diagnostic Genetics Service, Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Jens Michael Hertz
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Meena Balasubramanian
- Sheffield Clinical Genetics Service, Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK.,Academic Unit of Child Health, Department of Oncology & Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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6
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Cerino M, Di Meglio C, Albertini F, Audic F, Riccardi F, Boulay C, Philip N, Bartoli M, Lévy N, Krahn M, Chabrol B. Extension of the phenotypic spectrum of GLE1-related disorders to a mild congenital form resembling congenital myopathy. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2020; 8:e1277. [PMID: 32537934 PMCID: PMC7434744 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background GLE1 (GLE1, RNA Export Mediator, OMIM#603371) variants are associated with severe autosomal recessive motor neuron diseases, that are lethal congenital contracture syndrome 1 (LCCS1, OMIM#253310) and congenital arthrogryposis with anterior horn cell disease (CAAHD, OMIM#611890). The clinical spectrum of GLE1‐related disorders has been expanding these past years, including with adult‐onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) GLE1‐related forms, especially through the new molecular diagnosis strategies associated with the emergence of next‐generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. However, despite this phenotypic variability, reported congenital or ALS adult‐onset forms remain severe, leading to premature death. Methods Through multidisciplinary interactions between our Neuropediatric and Medical Genetics departments, we were able to diagnose two siblings presenting with congenital disorder, using an NGS approach accordingly to the novel French national recommendations. Results Two siblings with very similar clinical features, meaning neuromuscular disorder of neonatal onset with progressive improvement, were examined in our Neuropediatrics department. The clinical presentation evoked initially congenital myopathy with autosomal recessive inheritance. However, additional symptoms such as mild dysmorphic features including high anterior hairline, downslanted palpebral fissures, anteverted nares, smooth philtrum with thin upper‐lip, narrow mouth and microretrognathia or delayed expressive language and postnatal growth retardation were suggestive of a more complex clinical presentation and molecular diagnosis. Our NGS approach revealed an unexpected molecular diagnosis for these two siblings, meaning the presence of the homozygous c.1808G>T GLE1 variant. Conclusions We here report the mildest phenotype ever described, in two siblings carrying the homozygous c.1808G>T GLE1 variant, further widening the clinical spectrum of GLE1‐related diseases. Moreover, by reflecting current medical practice, this case report confirms the importance of establishing regular multidisciplinary meetings, essential for discussing such difficult clinical presentations to finally enable molecular diagnosis, especially when NGS technologies are used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Cerino
- Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, U1251-MMG, Marseille Medical Genetics, Marseille, France.,APHM, Hôpital Timone Enfants, Département de Génétique Médicale, Marseille, France.,GIPTIS (Genetics Institute for Patients, Therapies Innovation and Science), Marseille, France.,APHM, Hôpital de la Conception, Laboratoire de Biochimie, Marseille, France
| | - Chloé Di Meglio
- APHM, Hôpital Timone Enfants, Service de Neurologie Pédiatrique, Marseille, France
| | - Francesca Albertini
- APHM, Hôpital Timone Enfants, Service de Neurologie Pédiatrique, Marseille, France
| | - Frédérique Audic
- APHM, Hôpital Timone Enfants, Service de Neurologie Pédiatrique, Marseille, France
| | - Florence Riccardi
- Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, U1251-MMG, Marseille Medical Genetics, Marseille, France.,APHM, Hôpital Timone Enfants, Département de Génétique Médicale, Marseille, France.,GIPTIS (Genetics Institute for Patients, Therapies Innovation and Science), Marseille, France
| | - Christophe Boulay
- APHM, Hôpital Timone Enfants, Service de Neurologie Pédiatrique, Marseille, France
| | - Nicole Philip
- Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, U1251-MMG, Marseille Medical Genetics, Marseille, France.,APHM, Hôpital Timone Enfants, Département de Génétique Médicale, Marseille, France.,GIPTIS (Genetics Institute for Patients, Therapies Innovation and Science), Marseille, France
| | - Marc Bartoli
- Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, U1251-MMG, Marseille Medical Genetics, Marseille, France.,GIPTIS (Genetics Institute for Patients, Therapies Innovation and Science), Marseille, France
| | - Nicolas Lévy
- Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, U1251-MMG, Marseille Medical Genetics, Marseille, France.,APHM, Hôpital Timone Enfants, Département de Génétique Médicale, Marseille, France.,GIPTIS (Genetics Institute for Patients, Therapies Innovation and Science), Marseille, France
| | - Martin Krahn
- Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, U1251-MMG, Marseille Medical Genetics, Marseille, France.,APHM, Hôpital Timone Enfants, Département de Génétique Médicale, Marseille, France.,GIPTIS (Genetics Institute for Patients, Therapies Innovation and Science), Marseille, France
| | - Brigitte Chabrol
- GIPTIS (Genetics Institute for Patients, Therapies Innovation and Science), Marseille, France.,APHM, Hôpital Timone Enfants, Service de Neurologie Pédiatrique, Marseille, France
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7
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MKRN2 Physically Interacts with GLE1 to Regulate mRNA Export and Zebrafish Retinal Development. Cell Rep 2020; 31:107693. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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8
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Adam S, Coetzee M, Honey EM. Pena-Shokeir syndrome: current management strategies and palliative care. APPLICATION OF CLINICAL GENETICS 2018; 11:111-120. [PMID: 30498368 PMCID: PMC6207248 DOI: 10.2147/tacg.s154643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pena-Shokeir syndrome (PSS) type 1, also known as fetal akinesia deformation sequence, is a rare genetic syndrome that almost always results in intrauterine or early neonatal death. It is characterized by markedly decreased fetal movements, intrauterine growth restriction, joint contractures, short umbilical cord, and features of pulmonary hypoplasia. Antenatal diagnosis can be difficult. Ultrasound features are varied and may overlap with those of Trisomy 18. The poor prognosis of PSS is due to pulmonary hypoplasia, which is an important feature that distinguishes PSS from arthrogryposis multiplex congenital without pulmonary hypoplasia, which has a better prognosis. If diagnosed in the antenatal period, a late termination of pregnancy can be considered following ethical discussion (if the law allows). In most cases, a diagnosis is only made in the neonatal period. Parents of a baby affected with PSS require detailed counseling that includes information on the imprecise recurrence risks and a plan for subsequent pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumaiya Adam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa,
| | - Melantha Coetzee
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Engela Magdalena Honey
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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9
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Beecroft SJ, Lombard M, Mowat D, McLean C, Cairns A, Davis M, Laing NG, Ravenscroft G. Genetics of neuromuscular fetal akinesia in the genomics era. J Med Genet 2018; 55:505-514. [PMID: 29959180 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2018-105266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Fetal hypokinesia or akinesia encompasses a broad spectrum of disorders, united by impaired movement in utero. Often, the underlying aetiology is genetic in origin, affecting part of the neuromuscular system. The affordable and high-throughput nature of next-generation DNA sequencing has led to an explosion in disease gene discovery across rare diseases, including fetal akinesias. A genetic diagnosis has clinical utility as it may affect management and prognosis and informs recurrence risk, facilitating family planning decisions. More broadly, knowledge of disease genes increasingly allows population-based preconception carrier screening, which has reduced the incidence of recessive diseases in several populations. Despite gains in knowledge of the genetics of fetal akinesia, many families lack a genetic diagnosis. In this review, we describe the developments in Mendelian genetics of neuromuscular fetal akinesia in the genomics era. We examine genetic diagnoses with neuromuscular causes, specifically including the lower motor neuron, peripheral nerve, neuromuscular junction and muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Jane Beecroft
- Centre for Medical Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QQ Block, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Marcus Lombard
- Centre for Medical Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QQ Block, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - David Mowat
- Centre for Clinical Genetics, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Catriona McLean
- Victorian Neuromuscular Laboratory, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anita Cairns
- Department of Neurology, Lady Cilento Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark Davis
- Neurogenetics Laboratory, Department of Diagnostic Genomics, PP Block, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Nigel G Laing
- Centre for Medical Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QQ Block, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Gianina Ravenscroft
- Centre for Medical Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QQ Block, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
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