Pierre Robin Sequence with Esophageal Atresia and Congenital Radioulnar Synostosis

Prenatal features of mandibulofacial dysostosis Guion-Almeida Type

Facial dysostoses are clinically and genetically heterogeneous conditions characterized by congenital craniofacial anomalies which result from abnormal development of the first two pharyngeal arches and their derivatives during embryogenesis. Mandibulofacial dysostosis Guion-Almeida type (MFDGA) is a rare and relatively new syndrome described in the literature, first identified by Guion-Almeida et al. in 2000 and 2006. Another 108 cases have been documented after that. Prenatal diagnosis of this syndrome has not been described yet. Here we present the prenatal ultrasound findings in a case where MFDGA was confirmed after delivery. We suggest that MFDGA should be included in the prenatal differential diagnosis of syndromes with micrognathia and craniofacial anomalies.

BMPR1B mutation causes Pierre Robin sequence

Background

We investigated a large family with Pierre Robin sequence (PRS).

Aim of the study

This study aims to determine the genetic cause of PRS.

Results

The reciprocal translocation t(4;6)(q22;p21) was identified to be segregated with PRS in a three-generation family. Whole-genome sequencing and Sanger sequencing successfully detected breakpoints in the intragenic regions of BMRP1B and GRM4. We hypothesized that PRS in this family was caused by (i) haploinsufficiency for BMPR1B or (ii) a gain of function mechanism mediated by the BMPR1B-GRM4 fusion gene. In an unrelated family, we identified another BMPR1B-splicing mutation that co-segregated with PRS.

Conclusion

We detected two BMPR1B mutations in two unrelated PRS families, suggesting that BMPR1B disruption is probably a cause of human PRS.

Methods

GTG banding, comparative genomic hybridization, whole-genome sequencing, and Sanger sequencing were performed to identify the gene causing PRS.

Pierre Robin sequence: Subdivision, data, theories, and treatment - Part 1: History, subdivisions, and data

CONTEXT

The disorder currently accepted as Pierre Robin syndrome/anomaly/sequence (PRS) has been plagued by controversy ever since initially being described. Controversy exists not only about the appropriate terminology and etiopathogenesis of the disorder but also about its management. Therefore, clinical findings and treatment outcomes of a large database of 266 PRS cases were compared with the current state of knowledge in scientific literature related to history, clinical description, diagnostic criteria, epidemiology, theories of oligohydramnios, mandibular catch-up growth, midfacial hyperplasia, and the timing of management.

AIMS OF PART 1

Display disparities of the widely published subject of PRS that exist within the literature.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A literature search related to diagnostic criteria was compared to findings of one of the largest PRS databases worldwide.

RESULTS

Regarding diagnostic criteria two subdivisions, the Fairbairn-Robin triad (FRT) and the Siebold-Robin sequence (SRS) can be clearly distinguished. Both present with micrognathia and glossoptosis, the former with, the latter, however, without a palatal cleft.

CONCLUSIONS

According to clear diagnostic criteria, PRS has to be subdivided in the future into FRT and SRS cases, as they may require different treatment approaches.

Delineation of EFTUD2 haploinsufficiency-related phenotypes through a series of 36 patients

Mandibulofacial dysostosis, Guion-Almeida type (MFDGA) is a recently delineated multiple congenital anomalies/mental retardation syndrome characterized by the association of mandibulofacial dysostosis (MFD) with external ear malformations, hearing loss, cleft palate, choanal atresia, microcephaly, intellectual disability, oesophageal atresia (OA), congenital heart defects (CHDs), and radial ray defects. MFDGA emerges as a clinically recognizable entity, long underdiagnosed due to highly variable presentations. The main differential diagnoses are CHARGE and Feingold syndromes, oculoauriculovertebral spectrum, and other MFDs. EFTUD2, located on 17q21.31, encodes a component of the major spliceosome and is disease causing in MFDGA, due to heterozygous loss-of-function (LoF) mutations. Here, we describe a series of 36 cases of MFDGA, including 24 previously unreported cases, and we review the literature in order to delineate the clinical spectrum ascribed to EFTUD2 LoF. MFD, external ear anomalies, and intellectual deficiency occur at a higher frequency than microcephaly. We characterize the evolution of the facial gestalt at different ages and describe novel renal and cerebral malformations. The most frequent extracranial malformation in this series is OA, followed by CHDs and skeletal abnormalities. MFDGA is probably more frequent than other syndromic MFDs such as Nager or Miller syndromes. Although the wide spectrum of malformations complicates diagnosis, characteristic facial features provide a useful handle.

Cervico-thoracic kyphosis in a girl with Pierre Robin sequence

Congenital cervico-thoracic kyphosis has been encountered in a girl with Pierre Robin sequence. The constellation of the spine malformation complex such as incomplete development of the vertebral bodies associated with defective ossification of the cervico-thoracic pedicles causing effectively the development of complete spinal cord injury at the kyphotic level of C7/T1 were present. Congenital kyphosis secondary to vertebral body hypoplasia has not been reported in connection with Pierre Robin sequence.

Pierre Robin sequence: appearances and 25 years of experience with an innovative treatment protocol

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the largest number of Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) cases to date and its treatment outcome.

DESIGN

This is a retrospective study.

SETTINGS

The study was conducted in a tertiary care university hospital.

PATIENTS

One hundred eighty-eight patients with PRS have been subjected to analysis, defined by the clinical triad of glossoptosis, retro/micrognathia, and cleft or agenesis of the palate, for incidence, risk factors, associated syndromes, other concomitant abnormalities, airway and feeding difficulties, and outcome regarding the neonatal and perinatal surgical and nonsurgical management.

RESULTS

The incidence of PRS was 6.02%. Risk factors were found in 41.5% of mothers with children with PRS. Eleven other syndromes/appearances were associated. Feeding difficulties were seen in 51.8% of the patients. Glossopexy (6.9%) and tracheotomy (2.13%) for airway management were performed very seldom. The suction and drinking plate as well as the surgical treatment protocol may be considered to be the reasons for reduced airway (up to 91.0%), feeding problems (up to 79.9%), and mortality rate (2.1%).

CONCLUSION

The Pierre Robin sequence, as seen as a heterogeneous group, presents with variation of the cleft palate defects with glossoptosis and concomitant micrognathic mandible. The surgical management and certain prepalatal intervention as nonsurgical management with an innovative treatment strategy were evaluated.

22q11 deletion syndrome and limb anomalies: report on two Brazilian patients

OBJECTIVE

To report on two Brazilian patients with chromosome 22q11 deletion who presented with velopharyngeal insufficiency, congenital heart anomalies, developmental delay, and limb anomalies. The pattern of limb anomalies in these patients, which range from ectrodactyly to limb synostosis, is very uncommon in 22q11 deletion syndrome.

CONCLUSION

These patients widen the spectrum of clinical signs of the 22q11 deletion syndrome and alert researchers to conduct additional investigation in patients with limb involvement with velopharyngeal insufficiency and/or cardiac anomalies, along with developmental delay.

Esophageal atresia, hypoplasia of zygomatic complex, microcephaly, cup-shaped ears, congenital heart defect, and mental retardation—New MCA/MR syndrome in two affected sibs and a mildly affected mother?

The previously undescribed combination of esophageal atresia, hypoplasia of the zygomatic complex, microcephaly, cup-shaped ears, congenital heart defect, and mental retardation was diagnosed in two siblings of different sexes, with the brother being more severely affected. The mother presented with zygomatic arch hypoplasia of the right side only. We discuss major differential diagnoses: Goldenhar, Feingold, CHARGE, and Treacher Collins syndromes show a few overlapping clinical features, but these diagnoses are unlikely as the clinical findings are unusual for Goldenhar syndrome and mutational screening of the MYCN, the CHD7, and the TCOF1 genes did not reveal any abnormalities. Autosomal recessive oto-facial syndrome, hypomandibular faciocranial dysostosis, and Ozkan syndromes were clinically excluded. A microdeletion 22q11.2 was excluded by FISH analysis, a microdeletion 2p23-p24 by microsatellite analyses, a subtelomeric chromosomal aberration by MLPA, and a small genomic deletion/duplication by CGH array. As X-inactivation studies did not show skewed X-inactivation in the mother, we consider X-chromosomal recessive inheritance of this condition less likely. We discuss autosomal dominant inheritance with variable expressivity or mosaicism in the mother as the likely genetic mechanism in this new multiple congenital anomaly/mental retardation (MCA/MR) syndrome.