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Microphthalmia, Syndromic 10

Microphthalmia, Syndromic 10

Patient Information

Characteristics

Background and History

Syndromic microphthalmia 10 is one of numerous inherited conditions in which the eye is small and does not develop normally.  The brain is involved in this disorder as well.

Clinical Correlations

The skull is small from birth.  The eyes can be extremely small as well and patients are likely blind although actual vision has not been reported.  Psychomotor development is normal for the first 6 to 8 months of life but there is rapid deterioration in neurological function subsequently.  Irritability, vomiting, constant crying, and spasticity become evident.  The MRI reveals progressive loss of brain matter by 1 year of age which eventually leads to absence of all while matter of the brain with patients becoming completely dependent.  Longevity is unknown but one reported patient was alive at 8 years of age.

Genetics

Inheritance

Based on a report of three interrelated Pakistani families each with one affected child, it is likely that this is an autosomal recessive disorder but no mutation has been found.  Parents with a child having this disorder  can expect that each of their children have a 25% risk of inheriting the same disease.

Pedigree

Autosomal recessive

In order for autosomal recessive disorders to be expressed, offspring generally must inherit two mutations, one from each carrier parent.  Carriers with only one mutation, such as the parents, do not have clinical disease.  Note that carrier parents can expect that 1 in 4 children (25%) will inherit both mutations and have the disorder, 2 in 4 children (50%) will be carriers like their parents, while 1 in 4 children (25%) inherit neither mutation.

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Sample pedigree of autosomal recessive inheritance

In order for autosomal recessive disorders to be expressed, offspring generally must inherit two mutations, one from each carrier parent. Carriers with only one mutation, such as the parents, do not have clinical disease. Note that carrier parents can expect that 1 in 4 children (25%) will inherit both mutations and have the disorder, 2 in 4 children (50%) will be carriers like their parents, while 1 in 4 children (25%) inherit neither mutation.

Diagnosis and Prognosis

Pediatricians, ophthalmologists, and neurologists are most likely to collaboratively diagnose this condition.  No treatment is available.

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