Keratotic follicular plugs with calcifications in Conradi-Hünermann-Happle syndrome: histological, biochemical and genetic testing correlation

Conradi-Hünermann-Happle syndrome with minimal signs

A 4-year-old girl presented with congenital patches of scalp alopecia, which on physical examination, was consistent with blaschkolinear alopecic patches with mild epidermal atrophy. Similar atrophic hypopigmented patches were seen on the trunk and proximal extremities. With the clinical suspicion of Conradi-Hünermann-Happle syndrome, genetic testing was performed and revealed a mutation in the EBP gene. Despite characteristic cutaneous findings, no skeletal, ocular, or other anomalies were found on further evaluation.

Male CDPX2 patient with EBP mosaicism and asymmetrically lateralized skin lesions with strict midline demarcation

X-linked dominant chondrodysplasia punctata (Conradi-Hunermann-Happle syndrome, CDPX2) caused by mutations in the emopamil-binding protein (EBP) gene and congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform nevus and limb defects (CHILD) syndrome caused by mutation in the NAD(P)H steroid dehydrogenase-like (NSDHL) gene are rare, typically male lethal disorders. CDPX2 skin lesions are characterized by transient severe congenital ichthyosis following the lines of Blaschko, whereas in CHILD syndrome, the lesions show striking lateralization. Here, we report a male CDPX2 patient with postzygotic mosaicism of the EBP gene presenting with lateralized skin lesions with strict midline demarcation as seen in CHILD syndrome (although this diagnosis was ruled out based on analysis of NSDHL), but also partly distributed along Blaschko's lines as seen in CDPX2. The lesions resolved within a few months, but the patient had other abnormalities, including shortening of the limbs, epiphyseal stippling, and forearm asymmetry; he also had problems with respiration and feeding in the first 4 years after birth. Kyphoscoliosis with dysplastic vertebral bodies progressed rapidly and required posterior spinal fusion surgery at 6 years old. These findings provide insights into the pathophysiology of CDPX2 and the mechanism of asymmetric lesion formation during development.

New splicing pathogenic variant in EBP causing extreme familial variability of Conradi-Hünermann-Happle Syndrome

X-linked dominant chondrodysplasia punctata (CDPX2 or Conradi-Hünermann-Happle syndrome, MIM #302960) is caused by mutations in the EBP gene. Affected female patients present with Blaschkolinear ichthyosis, coarse hair or alopecia, short stature, and normal psychomotor development. The disease is usually lethal in boys. Nevertheless, few male patients have been reported; they carry a somatic mosaicism in EBP or present with Klinefelter syndrome. Here, we report CDPX2 patients belonging to a three-generation family, carrying the splice variant c.301 + 5 G > C in intron 2 of EBP. The grandfather carries the variant as mosaic state and presents with short stature and mild ichthyosis. The mother also presents with short stature and mild ichthyosis and the female fetus with severe limb and vertebrae abnormalities and no skin lesions, with random X inactivation in both. This further characterizes the phenotypical spectrum of CDPX2, as well as intrafamilial variability, and raises the question of differential EBP mRNA splicing between the different target tissues.