GJA1

Oculodentodigital Dysplasia

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

The eyes have been reported as small and sometimes appear deep-set.  The epicanthal folds are prominent and the lid fissures are small.  Microcornea and evidence of anterior chamber dysplasia including posterior synechiae, anterior displacement of Schwalbe’s line, and stromal hypoplasia in the peripupillary area may be present.  Many eyes have some persistence of the pupillary membrane. Nystagmus and strabismus has been seen in some individuals.  A few patients have evidence of a persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous, even bilaterally. Cataracts may be present as well and a few patients have been reported with open angle glaucoma.  Most patients have normal or near normal visual acuity.

Systemic Features: 

The clinical features of this syndrome are highly variable.  Hair is sparse and the nails are usually dysplastic.  The nose appears small and peaked with underdevelopment of the nasal alae, and the mandible may be broad.  The cranial bones are often hyperostotic and the long bones as well as the ribs and clavicle are widened.  The middle phalanges of the digits are usually hypoplastic or may be absent.  Syndactyly of fingers and toes is often a feature and camptodactyly is common.  The teeth are small and carious with evidence of enamel dysplasia.   Hair often grows slowly and is sparse.  A variety of neurological deficits have been reported but no consistent pattern has been recognized.  However, white matter lesions and basal ganglia changes have been documented on MRI.

Genetics

Both autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant inheritance have been proposed but in both cases the mutations are in the same gene, GJA1, located at 6q21-q23.2.

This disorder is allelic to Hallermann-Streiff syndrome (234100).

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

No treatment for the general condition is available.  Cataracts and glaucoma require attention when present, of course.

References
Article Title: 

Hallermann-Streiff Syndrome

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Nearly all patients (80+ %) have microphthalmia and bilateral congenital cataracts.  Microcornea is common.  The eyebrows may be hypoplastic and the eyelashes likewise are sparse.  The lid fissures often slant down and telecanthus has been noted.  The distance between the two eyes appears reduced.  Blue sclerae, nystagmus, strabismus, and glaucoma are present in 10 to 30% of patients.

Systemic Features: 

The facies are sometimes described as 'bird-like' with a beaked nose, brachycephaly, and micrognathia.  Microstomia with a shortened ramus and forward displacement of the termporomandibular joints is characteristic. Upper airway obstruction may occur with severe respiratory distress.  The forehead is relatively prominent, the palate is highly arched, and the teeth are often small and some may be missing with misalignment of others.  A few teeth may even be present at birth (natal teeth).  Children appear petite and are often short in stature.  Scalp hair is thin, especially in the frontal and occipital areas, and the skin is atrophic.  Developmental delays are common but most patients have normal or near-normal intelligence.

Genetics

Most cases are sporadic but some have mutations in the GJA1 gene (6q21-q23.2).  Both autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive inheritance have been postulated.  Reproductive fitness may be low but rare affected individuals have had affected offspring.  Males and females are equally affected.

This disorder is allelic to oculodentodigital dysplasia (257850, 164200).

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

Airway obstruction may require intervention and its risks must be considered during administration of general anesthesia.  Lens opacification may be severe even early in life and requires prompt surgical intervention to prevent amblyopia.

References
Article Title: 
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