Medical genetics 1959

Viewing Victor McKusick's legacy through the lens of his bibliography

Victor McKusick's contributions to the field of medical genetics are legendary and include his contributions as a mentor, as creator of Mendelian Inheritance in Man (now Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man [OMIM®]), and as a leader in the field of medical genetics. McKusick's full bibliography includes 772 publications. Here we review the 453 papers authored by McKusick and indexed in PubMed, from his earliest paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1949 to his last paper published in American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A in 2008. This review of his bibliography chronicles McKusick's evolution from an internist and cardiologist with an interest in genetics to an esteemed leader in the growing field of medical genetics. Review of his bibliography also provides a historical perspective of the development of the discipline of medical genetics. This field came into its own during his lifetime, transitioning from the study of interesting cases and families used to codify basic medical genetics principles to an accredited medical specialty that is expected to transform healthcare. Along the way, he helped to unite the fields of medical and human genetics to focus on mapping the human genome, culminating in completion of the Human Genome Project. This review confirms the critical role played by Victor McKusick as the founding father of medical genetics.

Diversity of congenital cardiac defects and skeletal deformities associated with the Holt-Oram syndrome

INTRODUCTION

The Holt–Oram syndrome is a rare congenital disorder involving the skeletal and cardiovascular systems. It is characterized by upper limb deformities and cardiac malformations, atrial septal defects in particular.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

Four consecutive patients 1–15 years old with the Holt–Oram syndrome presented over a 10 year span for surgical treatment of their cardiac maladies. The spectrum of the heart defects and skeletal deformities encountered in these patients are described and discussed.

DISCUSSION

The Holt–Oram syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition; however absence of the morphological features of the trait in close family members is not rare. Although patients are known to predominately present with atrial septal defects, other cardiovascular anomalies, including rhythm abnormalities, are not uncommon. Skeletal disorders vary as well.

CONCLUSION

Cardiovascular disorders, skeletal malformations and familial expression of the Holt–Oram syndrome, vary widely.