A case of Cornelia de Lange syndrome from Sudan

A Case Report of Cornelia De Lange Syndrome in Northern Iran; A Clinical and Diagnostic Study

As a rare multisystem congenital anomaly disorder, Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is featured by delayed growth and development, distinct facial dimorphism, limb malformations and multiple organ defects. CdLS is a genetic syndrome affecting 1/10000-1/60000 neonates with unknown genetic basis. Delayed growth and development, hirsute, structural anomalies of the limbs and distinct facial dimorphism are considered as its main clinical characteristics. Introducing CdLS cases of different ethnic backgrounds could add distinctions to the phenotypic picture of the syndrome and be useful in diagnosis. Early diagnosis and decreased death rates are achievable through enhanced awareness on this syndrome. We present here a 45-day-old girl, as the first case of Cornelia in Golestan (Northern Iran), referred to our hospital with the symptoms as mentioned above.

Cornelia de Lange syndrome - characteristics and laparoscopic treatment modalities of reflux based on own material

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (typus degenerativus amstelodamensis, CdLS, Brachmann syndrome) is a complex, congenital, multi-gene anomaly characterized by mental retardation. Its features include growth inhibition, hirsutism, structural anomalies of the limbs and abnormal development of osseous structures of the face. Independent of the phenotype of the disease, 85% of patients are assumed to have symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Aspiration pneumonia is one of the complications of GERD and a main cause of death in these patients. Patients not responding to medical treatment qualify for surgery. Until recently, anti-reflux procedures for GERD in CdLS patients were performed solely via laparotomy. The contemporary gold standard is a procedure performed laparoscopically. There are a few case reports of patients with CdLS operated on for GERD with laparoscopy available in the literature. The goal of this paper is to present two cases of Cornelia de Lange syndrome treated with laparoscopic antireflux procedures. We have performed two such procedures in 14 and 16 year-old girls with typical symptoms of the syndrome, i.e. developmental and mental retardation, hirsutism, structural limb anomalies and abnormal face development. The main indications for surgery in both cases were ineffective medical treatment and persistent aspiration pneumonia and its complications as a result of the gastroesophageal reflux. Oesophageal hiatus hernia and reflux were confirmed with accessory tests in both cases. During 36 months of follow-up, according to Barents, no episode of oesophageal reflux with acidic gastric content was noted. The treated children slept well during the night and did not need hospitalization for aspiration pneumonia. Neither of them required proton pump inhibitors. It should be concluded that laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is a safe and effective method of GERD treatment in children with CdLS.

[Air embolism during laparoscopic surgery in an infant girl with Cornelia de Lange syndrome]

Cornelia de Lange syndrome involves multiple malformations with particular phenotypic features (craniofacial abnormalities such as microcephaly or hypertrichosis with synophrys; cutaneous abnormalities such as hirsutism, and limb anomalies) and it is associated with a high percentage of mental retardation and complications such as digestive tract abnormalities, cardiac defects, and endocrine disorders. We report the case of a 2-month-old infant girl who underwent a laparoscopic antireflux procedure, with closure of a diaphragmatic hernia and a gastric stoma. The medical history included repeated episodes of aspiration pneumonia and hypertension. Early in the procedure, 2 episodes of sudden desaturation, hypotension, and bradycardia with a probable diagnosis of air embolism. The complications resolved with specific treatment. Anesthetic management for laparoscopic surgery in these patients is truly complex and must be informed by a thorough understanding of the disease and complications that may develop.

Cornelia de lange syndrome

BACKGROUND

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CDLS) is a rare multiple congenital anomaly syndrome characterized by a distinctive facial appearance, developmental delay, growth retardation, low birth weight, skeletal formation anomaly, and hirsutism.

CASE

Here for the first time a case of CDLS from Iran, a 15-week-old male infant who was refereed as a case of multiple congenital anomalies. Clinical investigation showed that the child was a case of CDLS.

CONCLUSION

This is the first case report with CDLS in Iran.