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Schut PC, Brosens E, Van Dooren TJM, Galis F, Ten Broek CMA, Baijens IMM, Dremmen MHG, Tibboel D, Schol MP, de Klein A, Eggink AJ, Cohen-Overbeek TE. Exploring copy number variants in deceased fetuses and neonates with abnormal vertebral patterns and cervical ribs. Birth Defects Res 2020; 112:1513-1525. [PMID: 32755042 PMCID: PMC7689732 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1786] [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: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Cervical patterning abnormalities are rare in the general population, but one variant, cervical ribs, is particularly common in deceased fetuses and neonates. The discrepancy between the incidence in the general population and early mortality is likely due to indirect selection against cervical ribs. The cause for the co‐occurrence of cervical ribs and adverse outcome remains unidentified. Copy number variations resulting in gain or loss of specific genes involved in development and patterning could play a causative role. Methods Radiographs of 374 deceased fetuses and infants, including terminations of pregnancies, stillbirths and neonatal deaths, were assessed. Copy number profiles of 265 patients were determined using single nucleotide polymorphism array. Results 274/374 patients (73.3%) had an abnormal vertebral pattern, which was associated with congenital abnormalities. Cervical ribs were present in 188/374 (50.3%) and were more common in stillbirths (69/128 [53.9%]) and terminations of pregnancies (101/188 [53.7%]), compared to live births (18/58, 31.0%). Large (likely) deleterious copy number variants and aneuploidies were prevalent in these patients. None of the rare copy number variants were recurrent or overlapped with candidate genes for vertebral patterning. Conclusions The large variety of copy number variants in deceased fetuses and neonates with similar abnormalities of the vertebral pattern probably reflects the etiological heterogeneity of vertebral patterning abnormalities. This genetic heterogeneity corresponds with the hypothesis that cervical ribs can be regarded as a sign of disruption of critical, highly interactive stages of embryogenesis. The vertebral pattern can probably provide valuable information regarding fetal and neonatal outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline C Schut
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erwin Brosens
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tom J M Van Dooren
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,CNRS, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences iEES Paris, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Inge M M Baijens
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marjolein H G Dremmen
- Department of Radiology, Division of Paediatric Radiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dick Tibboel
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC, Erasmus University Medical Center Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martin P Schol
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annelies de Klein
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alex J Eggink
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Titia E Cohen-Overbeek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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LaCombe JM, Roper RJ. Skeletal dynamics of Down syndrome: A developing perspective. Bone 2020; 133:115215. [PMID: 31887437 PMCID: PMC7044033 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2019.115215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) display distinctive skeletal morphology compared to the general population, but disparate descriptions, methodologies, analyses, and populations sampled have led to diverging conclusions about this unique skeletal phenotype. As individuals with DS are living longer, they may be at a higher risk of aging disorders such as osteoporosis and increased fracture risk. Sexual dimorphism has been suggested between males and females with DS in which males, not females, experience an earlier decline in bone mineral density (BMD). Unfortunately, studies focusing on skeletal health related to Trisomy 21 (Ts21) are few in number and often too underpowered to answer questions about skeletal development, resultant osteoporosis, and sexual dimorphism, especially in stages of bone accrual. Further confounding the field are the varied methods of bone imaging, analysis, and data interpretation. This review takes a critical look at the current knowledge of DS skeletal phenotypes, both from human and mouse studies, and presents knowledge gaps that need to be addressed, differences in research methodologies and analyses that affect the interpretation of results, and proposes guidelines for overcoming obstacles to understand skeletal traits associated with DS. By examining our current knowledge of bone in individuals with Ts21, a trajectory for future studies may be established to provide meaningful solutions for understanding the development of and improving skeletal structures in individuals with and without DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M LaCombe
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Randall J Roper
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, United States of America.
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Cervical ribs and other abnormalities of the vertebral pattern in children with esophageal atresia and anorectal malformations. Pediatr Res 2020; 87:773-778. [PMID: 31645054 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-019-0631-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In mammals the vertebral column has a constant pattern, particularly in the cervical region, which is likely the result of stabilizing selection. The prevalence of cervical ribs and extended vertebral pattern abnormalities is increased in deceased fetuses and neonates and associated with structural and chromosomal anomalies. The hypothesized close interaction between vertebral patterning and organogenesis in early embryogenesis could be studied in children with esophageal atresia and anorectal malformations by evaluating the radiographs of the vertebral column and the type and number of associated anomalies METHODS: The vertebral pattern of 367 children diagnosed with an esophageal atresia (n = 135), anorectal malformation (n = 215), or both (n = 17) was assessed on radiographs. RESULTS The vertebral pattern was abnormal in 170/202 (84.2%) children in whom this could be assessed, and cervical ribs were present in 147/335 (43.9%). Extended vertebral pattern abnormalities became more frequent with an increasing number of associated structural abnormalities. Cervical ribs were particularly common in children with chromosomal and genetic abnormalities (18/20, 90.0%). CONCLUSIONS Cervical ribs are frequent and abnormal vertebral patterns are more extended in the presence of associated anomalies. These findings support the hypothesized selection against vertebral patterning variations and emphasize the relevance of assessment of the vertebral pattern.
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Schut P, Verdijk RM, Joosten M, Eggink AJ. Prenatal diagnosis of cervical ribs by three-dimensional ultrasound in a foetus with a herniated Dandy-Walker cyst. BMJ Case Rep 2018; 11:e225381. [PMID: 30567892 PMCID: PMC6303663 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2018-225381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a case report of a foetus with a herniated Dandy-Walker cyst and bilateral rudimentary cervical ribs. The cervical ribs were visualised prenatally by three-dimensional ultrasound and confirmed by post-termination radiography. The prevalence of cervical ribs is higher in deceased fetuses and neonates with or without structural abnormalities compared with healthy individuals and might be regarded as a marker of disadvantageous fetal development. We demonstrate that evaluation of the fetal vertebral pattern by three-dimensional ultrasonography, including the cervical region, is feasible and could provide valuable information regarding fetal and neonatal prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Schut
- Prenatal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Alex J Eggink
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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