hypertrichosis

Neurodevelopmental Disorder with Progressive Microcephaly, Spasticity, and Brain Anomalies

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

 Examined patients have optic atrophy with nystagmus and roving eye movements.

Systemic Features: 

There are extensive and, in most cases, progressive CNS abnormalities resulting in severe neurodevelopmental deficits.  Infants at birth have progressive truncal hypotonia and limb spasticity.  Motor deficits result in little spontaneous movement, resulting in poor sucking, and respiratory difficulties.  Language does not develop and there is profound mental retardation. Progressive microcephaly is a characteristic finding.  There are often extrapyramidal signs such as rigidity and dystonic posturing.

Dysmorphic features include a short nose, high-arched palate, low-set and posteriorly rotated ears, micrognathia, postaxial polydactyly, hirsutism, pectus carinatum, contractures of large joints, and hyperextensibility of small joints.

Brain imaging shows a progressive leukoencephalopathy, cerebral and cerebellar atrophy, and delayed myelination.  The corpus callosum is often thin and the ventricles appear enlarged.  The lifespan is generally short with death occurring in infancy or early childhood.

Genetics

This autosomal recessive disorder results from homozygous mutations in the PLAA gene (9p21). 

Pedigree: 
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

No treatment has been reported.

References
Article Title: 

PLAA Mutations Cause a Lethal Infantile Epileptic Encephalopathy by Disrupting Ubiquitin-Mediated Endolysosomal Degradation of Synaptic Proteins

Hall EA, Nahorski MS, Murray LM, Shaheen R, Perkins E, Dissanayake KN, Kristaryanto Y, Jones RA, Vogt J, Rivagorda M, Handley MT, Mali GR, Quidwai T, Soares DC, Keighren MA, McKie L, Mort RL, Gammoh N, Garcia-Munoz A, Davey T, Vermeren M, Walsh D, Budd P, Aligianis IA, Faqeih E, Quigley AJ, Jackson IJ, Kulathu Y, Jackson M, Ribchester RR, von Kriegsheim A, Alkuraya FS, Woods CG, Maher ER, Mill P. PLAA Mutations Cause a Lethal Infantile Epileptic Encephalopathy by Disrupting Ubiquitin-Mediated Endolysosomal Degradation of Synaptic Proteins. Am J Hum Genet. 2017 May 4;100(5):706-724.

PubMed ID: 
28413018

Phospholipase A2-activating protein is associated with a novel form of leukoencephalopathy

Falik Zaccai TC, Savitzki D, Zivony-Elboum Y, Vilboux T, Fitts EC, Shoval Y, Kalfon L, Samra N, Keren Z, Gross B, Chasnyk N, Straussberg R, Mullikin JC, Teer JK, Geiger D, Kornitzer D, Bitterman-Deutsch O, Samson AO, Wakamiya M, Peterson JW, Kirtley ML, Pinchuk IV, Baze WB, Gahl WA, Kleta R, Anikster Y, Chopra AK. Phospholipase A2-activating protein is associated with a novel form of leukoencephalopathy. Brain. 2017 Feb;140(Pt 2):370-386.

PubMed ID: 
28007986

CHOPS Syndrome

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

There is usually some degree of proptosis and apparent hypertelorism.  The eyebrows are bushy and the eyelashes are luxurious.  One of three patients had cataracts and another had mild optic atrophy.

Systemic Features: 

The overall facial appearance may resemble Cornelia de Lange syndrome with hypertrichosis and a coarse, round facies.  Head circumference is low normal.  Septal defects and a patent ductus arteriosus are often present.  Laryngeal and tracheal malacia predispose to recurrent pulmonary infections and chronic lung disease.  Skeletal dysplasia includes brachydactyly and anomalous vertebral bodies resulting in short stature (3rd percentile).  Genitourinary abnormalities include cryptorchidism, horseshoe kidney, and vesiculoureteral reflux.  Delayed gastric emptying and reflux have been reported.

Genetics

Heterozygous mutations in the AFF4 gene (5q31.1) have been identified in 3 unrelated individuals with this condition.  No familial cases have been identified.  The gene is a core component of the super elongation complex that is critical to transcriptional elongation during embryogenesis.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

There is no treatment for the general disorder.  Tracheostomy was required in 2 of three reported patients. 

References
Article Title: 

Germline gain-of-function mutations in AFF4 cause a developmental syndrome functionally linking the super elongation complex and cohesin

Izumi K, Nakato R, Zhang Z, Edmondson AC, Noon S, Dulik MC, Rajagopalan R, Venditti CP, Gripp K, Samanich J, Zackai EH, Deardorff MA, Clark D, Allen JL, Dorsett D, Misulovin Z, Komata M, Bando M, Kaur M, Katou Y, Shirahige K, Krantz ID. Germline gain-of-function mutations in AFF4 cause a developmental syndrome functionally linking the super elongation complex and cohesin. Nat Genet. 2015 Apr;47(4):338-44.

PubMed ID: 
25730767

Barber-Say Syndrome

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

The ocular features consist mainly of skin changes in the lids including hyperlaxity and redundancy.  There may be ectropion of the lower eyelids and sparsity of the eyebrows.  Some evidence of micro- or ablepharon is often present.  Hypertelorism and exophthalmia have been described.

Systemic Features: 

Multiple external congenital anomalies are present at birth including skin laxity, hypertrichosis (especially of the forehead, neck and back), and low-set and malformed pinnae.  Macrostomia and thin lips with redundant facial skin are often evident.  The nose appears bulbous.  The thoracic skin can be atrophic and the nipples may be hypoplastic.  Hypospadias has been reported.  A highly arched or cleft palate may be present and some individuals have a conductive hearing loss.  The teeth are small and eruption may be delayed.  Cognitive deficits may be present and mental retardation has been reported. 

Genetics

Based on genotyping and the limited number of reported pedigrees, inheritance most likely follows an autosomal dominant pattern.  Direct parent to child transmission has been reported.  Detailed examination of parents sometimes reveals mild features that are easily missed.  Mutations in the TWIST2 gene have been found in 10 unrelated individuals with Barber-Say syndrome.

TWIST2 mutations have also been found in Setleis syndrome (227260) and in ablepharon-macrostomia syndrome (200110).  These conditions have some clinical features in common with Barber-Say syndrome.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

There is no known treatment for this disorder but correction of selected anomalies such as ectropion and cleft palate may be indicated.

References
Article Title: 

Recurrent Mutations in the Basic Domain of TWIST2 Cause Ablepharon Macrostomia and Barber-Say Syndromes

Marchegiani S, Davis T, Tessadori F, van Haaften G, Brancati F, Hoischen A, Huang H, Valkanas E, Pusey B, Schanze D, Venselaar H, Vulto-van Silfhout AT, Wolfe LA, Tifft CJ, Zerfas PM, Zambruno G, Kariminejad A, Sabbagh-Kermani F, Lee J, Tsokos MG, Lee CC, Ferraz V, da Silva EM, Stevens CA, Roche N, Bartsch O, Farndon P, Bermejo-Sanchez E, Brooks BP, Maduro V, Dallapiccola B, Ramos FJ, Chung HY, Le Caignec C, Martins F, Jacyk WK, Mazzanti L, Brunner HG, Bakkers J, Lin S, Malicdan MC, Boerkoel CF, Gahl WA, de Vries BB, van Haelst MM, Zenker M, Markello TC. Recurrent Mutations in the Basic Domain of TWIST2 Cause Ablepharon Macrostomia and Barber-Say Syndromes. Am J Hum Genet. 2015 Jul 2;97(1):99-110.

PubMed ID: 
26119818

Tenorio Syndrome

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

The eyebrows appear bushy.  Inflammation of the limbus and keratoconjunctivitis sicca are often present and reported to resemble Sjogren syndrome.

Systemic Features: 

Infants appear large at birth with a large forehead and macrocephaly.  Birth weight, length, and head circumference are usually above the 97th percentile. The mandible appears large and the lips are full and ‘fleshy’.  Dentition is delayed.  Recurrent stomatitis and gastroesophageal reflux have been noted.  Closure of the fontanels is delayed.  Hypotonia and hyperflexible joints can be a feature.

Multiple brain anomalies have been described including cortical atrophy, dilated and asymmetrical ventricles, and mild hydrocephalus.  Psychomotor development and milestones are delayed.  Intellectual disabilities, syncope, hypoglycemia, seizures, apneic episodes, mood anomalies, abnormal gait, and general clumsiness may be present.  There was considerable clinical variation among the six reported patients. 

Genetics

Heterozygous mutations in RNF125 (18q12.1) are responsible for this syndrome. 

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

No treatment is known.

References
Article Title: 

A new overgrowth syndrome is due to mutations in RNF125

Tenorio J, Mansilla A, Valencia M, Martinez-Glez V, Romanelli V, Arias P, Castrejon N, Poletta F, Guillen-Navarro E, Gordo G, Mansilla E, Garcia-Santiago F, Gonzalez-Casado I, Vallespin E, Palomares M, Mori MA, Santos-Simarro F, Garcia-Minaur S, Fernandez L, Mena R, Benito-Sanz S, del Pozo A, Silla JC, Ibanez K, Lopez-Granados E, Martin-Trujillo A, Montaner D; SOGRI Consortium, Heath KE, Campos-Barros A, Dopazo J, Nevado J, Monk D, Ruiz-Perez VL, Lapunzina P. A new overgrowth syndrome is due to mutations in RNF125. Hum Mutat. 2014 Dec;35(12):1436-41.

PubMed ID: 
25196541

Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation, Type Iq

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Colobomas (iris, choroid, and sometimes optic nerve), optic nerve hypoplasia and nystagmus have been reported.  Visual acuity is variable depending upon the degree of nerve hypoplasia. The eyebrows may be highly arched, while downward slanting lid fissures, and hypertelorism may also be present.

Congenital cataracts, glaucoma and microphthalmia have been reported in several individuals.

Systemic Features: 

Onset of symptoms commonly begins in infancy with severe hypotonia while developmental delays soon become evident as most children do not achieve normal milestones.  The amount of cognitive impairment is variable.  Congenital cardiac defects, ichthyosis, and hypertrichosis may be present.  The skin over the dorsum of the hands and feet often appears dark.  Ataxia is sometimes present and MRIs may reveal vermal and cerebellar hypoplasia.

Facial dysmorphism is common.  Low-set malformed ears, low hairline, depressed nasal bridge, redundant facial skin, decreased subcutaneous tissue, large mouth, thin lips, and long face have been noted.

There is considerable variation in clinical manifestations and longevity varies from infancy to adulthood.

Genetics

This glycosylation disorder is one of a number of rare hepatic/intestinal disorders caused by a deficiency in N-oligosaccharide synthesis.  It is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern as a result of mutations in SRD5A3 (4q12).  Both homozygous and compound heterozygous genotypes have been reported.  It is allelic to Kahrizi syndrome (612713) with a number of overlapping features including ocular colobomas and cognitive deficiencies.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

The administration of caloric supplements through tube feeding may be required to maintain adequate nutrition.Orthopedic deformities can sometimes be corrected surgically.

References
Article Title: 

A novel cerebello-ocular syndrome with abnormal glycosylation due to abnormalities in dolichol metabolism

Morava E, Wevers RA, Cantagrel V, Hoefsloot LH, Al-Gazali L, Schoots J, van Rooij A, Huijben K, van Ravenswaaij-Arts CM, Jongmans MC, Sykut-Cegielska J, Hoffmann GF, Bluemel P, Adamowicz M, van Reeuwijk J, Ng BG, Bergman JE, van Bokhoven H, Korner C, Babovic-Vuksanovic D, Willemsen MA, Gleeson JG, Lehle L, de Brouwer AP, Lefeber DJ. A novel cerebello-ocular syndrome with abnormal glycosylation due to abnormalities in dolichol metabolism. Brain. 2010 Nov;133(11):3210-20.

PubMed ID: 
20852264

SRD5A3 is required for converting polyprenol to dolichol and is mutated in a congenital glycosylation disorder

Cantagrel V, Lefeber DJ, Ng BG, Guan Z, Silhavy JL, Bielas SL, Lehle L, Hombauer H, Adamowicz M, Swiezewska E, De Brouwer AP, Bl?omel P, Sykut-Cegielska J, Houliston S, Swistun D, Ali BR, Dobyns WB, Babovic-Vuksanovic D, van Bokhoven H, Wevers RA, Raetz CR, Freeze HH, Morava E, Al-Gazali L, Gleeson JG. SRD5A3 is required for converting polyprenol to dolichol and is mutated in a congenital glycosylation disorder. Cell. 2010 Jul 23;142(2):203-17.

PubMed ID: 
20637498

RAB18 Deficiency

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Microphthalmia with microcornea, lens opacities, small and unresponsive pupils, and optic atrophy are the outstanding ocular features of this syndrome.  The eyes appear deeply set.  Some but not all have ERG evidence of rod and cone dysfunction.  The VEP is usually abnormal.  Short palpebral fissures have been described. 

Systemic Features: 

Patients with the micro syndrome have many somatic and neurologic abnormalities.  Infants usually have feeding problems that is sometimes accompanied by gastroesophageal reflux.  Some degree of psychomotor retardation and developmental delays is common.  Both spasticity and hypotonia have been described.  Some patients have seizures.  Facial hypertrichosis, anteverted ears, and a broad nasal bridge are often noted.   There may be absence of the corpus callosum while diffuse cortical and subcortical atrophy, microgyria, and pachygyria may be evident on MRI imaging.  Hypogenitalism may be a feature in both sexes.  Males may also have cryptorchidism and a micropenis while females can have hypoplasia of the labia minora and clitoris and a small introitus.  Microcephaly is inconsistently present. 

Genetics

This is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder caused by homozygous mutations in at least 4 genes: RAB3GAP1 (WARBM1), RAB3GAP2 (WARBM2), RAB18 (WARBM3), and TBC1D20 (WARBM4).

Pedigree: 
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

No effective treatment is available.  Vision remains subnormal even after cataracts are removed.  Nutrition may be improved with placement of a gastrostomy tube.

References
Article Title: 

New RAB3GAP1 mutations in patients with Warburg Micro Syndrome from different ethnic backgrounds and a possible founder effect in the Danish

Morris-Rosendahl DJ, Segel R, Born AP, Conrad C, Loeys B, Brooks SS, M?oller L,Zeschnigk C, Botti C, Rabinowitz R, Uyanik G, Crocq MA, Kraus U, Degen I, Faes F. New RAB3GAP1 mutations in patients with Warburg Micro Syndrome from different ethnic backgrounds and a possible founder effect in the Danish. Eur J Hum Genet. 2010 Oct;18(10):1100-6.

PubMed ID: 
20512159

Gorlin-Chaudhry-Moss Syndrome

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Orbital hypoplasia, short, abnormally slanted (up or down) lid fissures, and sometimes lid notching (colobomas?) are characteristic facial features as are bushy eyebrows and synophrys.  Lacrimal duct stenosis has been noted.  The eyes are described as 'small' but no ophthalmological examination has been performed to document microphthalmia or other ocular anomalies.  No mention is made of visual problems.

Systemic Features: 

Premature closure of the coronal suture and midface hypoplasia lead to striking brachycephaly.  The scalp hairline is low and scalp hair is abundant and coarse.  In fact, hypertrichosis is seen throughout the body.  Hypo- and microdontia with irregularly spaced teeth and a high arched palate are common features.  Clefts of the soft palate has been observed.  The ears can be small and rotated posteriorly.  The labia majora are hypoplastic as are the distal phalanges of the fingers and toes.  Mild syndactyly of the second and third fingers and toes have been described.  The nails may be abormally small.  Conductive hearing loss may be present.  Growth and psychomotor development seem to be normal although some patients have been described to have a 'stocky' build.  The facial features tend to coarsen over time.

Genetics

Autosomal recessive inheritance has been suggested but nothing is known about the gene locus.  All 5 reported patients have been female.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

No treatment is known.

References
Article Title: 
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