Misclassification risk of patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate and manifestations of median facial dysplasia: A new variant of del(22q11.2) syndrome?

The generic term median facial dysplasia (MFD) describes a subgroup of patients with cleft lip and palate exhibiting characteristic craniofacial defects: (1) short prolabium, (2) absence of frenulum labii, (3) hypoplasia of premaxilla, (4) absent upper central and lateral incisors of the cleft side, and (5) deficient septal cartilage and nasal spine. Gross brain malformations are usually absent in MFD. The same craniofacial malformations are also described in patients with holoprosencephaly sequence (HPE-S). We report on two male patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate showing the facial findings of MFD or HPE-S. Additional congenital malformations were anal atresia in one patient and severe cardiac defect in the other. In both, HPE was excluded by brain imaging, although uncommon brain anomalies were detected consisting of multiple white-matter lesions in the one patient and unusual enlargement and tortuosity of intracerebral blood vessels in both patients. In addition to facial anomalies, the patients also had psychiatric problems typically seen in velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis confirmed a 22q11.2 microdeletion in both.     

Ritscher-Schinzel cranio-cerebello-cardiac (3C) syndrome: report of four new cases and review

Ritscher-Schinzel syndrome, also known as the 3C syndrome, is a rare, autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by craniofacial, cerebellar, and cardiac anomalies. Cardiac manifestations include ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, tetralogy of Fallot, double outlet right ventricle, hypoplastic left heart, aortic stenosis, pulmonic stenosis and other valvular anomalies. Central nervous system anomalies include Dandy-Walker malformation, cerebellar vermis hypoplasia and enlargement of the cisterna magna. Craniofacial abnormalities seen are cleft palate, ocular coloboma, prominent occiput, low-set ears, hypertelorism, down-slanting palpebral fissures, depressed nasal bridge and micrognathia. Dandy-Walker malformation, posterior fossa cyst, hydrocephalus and congenital heart defect are common malformations that may occur in isolation or as a part of many syndromes. Accurate genetic diagnosis and counseling require detailed analysis of the external as well as the internal anatomy and knowledge of the relative frequencies of various malformations in syndromes that may have overlapping clinical signs. We have had the opportunity recently to study four cases of the Ritscher-Schinzel syndrome. A review of all reported cases is presented and an attempt made to define the minimum diagnostic criteria for the Ritscher-Schinzel syndrome. Of the nine craniofacial anomalies commonly reported as a part of the Ritscher-Schinzel syndrome, we consider two i.e., cleft palate and ocular coloboma, to be readily and objectively ascertainable. The other seven craniofacial traits, however, are somewhat subjective, require expert interpretation and are sometimes difficult to ascertain in a newborn or stillborn fetus. These are prominent forehead, prominent occiput, hypertelorism, down-slanting palpebral fissures, low-set ears, depressed nasal bridge and micrognathia. At least four of these were present in all cases that had a secure diagnosis of the Ritscher-Schinzel syndrome. Thus, the criteria we propose to establish the diagnosis of the Ritscher-Schinzel syndrome in a chromosomally normal sporadic case are the presence of cardiac malformation other than isolated patent ductus arteriosus, cerebellar malformation, and cleft palate or ocular coloboma or four of the following seven findings: prominent forehead, prominent occiput, hypertelorism, down-slanting palpebral fissures, low-set ears, depressed nasal bridge, and micrognathia.     

Ritscher‐Schinzel cranio‐cerebello‐cardiac (3C) syndrome: Report of four new cases and review

Ritscher‐Schinzel syndrome, also known as the 3C syndrome, is a rare, autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by craniofacial, cerebellar, and cardiac anomalies. Cardiac manifestations include ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, tetralogy of Fallot, double outlet right ventricle, hypoplastic left heart, aortic stenosis, pulmonic stenosis and other valvular anomalies. Central nervous system anomalies include Dandy‐Walker malformation, cerebellar vermis hypoplasia and enlargement of the cisterna magna. Craniofacial abnormalities seen are cleft palate, ocular coloboma, prominent occiput, low‐set ears, hypertelorism, down‐slanting palpebral fissures, depressed nasal bridge and micrognathia. Dandy‐Walker malformation, posterior fossa cyst, hydrocephalus and congenital heart defect are common malformations that may occur in isolation or as a part of many syndromes. Accurate genetic diagnosis and counseling require detailed analysis of the external as well as the internal anatomy and knowledge of the relative frequencies of various malformations in syndromes that may have overlapping clinical signs. We have had the opportunity recently to study four cases of the Ritscher‐Schinzel syndrome. A review of all reported cases is presented and an attempt made to define the minimum diagnostic criteria for the Ritscher‐Schinzel syndrome. Of the nine craniofacial anomalies commonly reported as a part of the Ritscher‐Schinzel syndrome, we consider two i.e., cleft palate and ocular coloboma, to be readily and objectively ascertainable. The other seven craniofacial traits, however, are somewhat subjective, require expert interpretation and are sometimes difficult to ascertain in a newborn or stillborn fetus. These are prominent forehead, prominent occiput, hypertelorism, down‐slanting palpebral fissures, low‐set ears, depressed nasal bridge and micrognathia. At least four of these were present in all cases that had a secure diagnosis of the Ritscher‐Schinzel syndrome. Thus, the criteria we propose to establish the diagnosis of the Ritscher‐Schinzel syndrome in a chromosomally normal sporadic case are the presence of cardiac malformation other than isolated patent ductus arteriosus, cerebellar malformation, and cleft palate or ocular coloboma or four of the following seven findings: prominent forehead, prominent occiput, hypertelorism, down‐slanting palpebral fissures, low‐set ears, depressed nasal bridge, and micrognathia. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Misclassification risk of patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate and manifestations of median facial dysplasia: A new variant of del(22q11.2) syndrome?

The generic term median facial dysplasia (MFD) describes a subgroup of patients with cleft lip and palate exhibiting characteristic craniofacial defects: (1) short prolabium, (2) absence of frenulum labii, (3) hypoplasia of premaxilla, (4) absent upper central and lateral incisors of the cleft side, and (5) deficient septal cartilage and nasal spine. Gross brain malformations are usually absent in MFD. The same craniofacial malformations are also described in patients with holoprosencephaly sequence (HPE‐S). We report on two male patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate showing the facial findings of MFD or HPE‐S. Additional congenital malformations were anal atresia in one patient and severe cardiac defect in the other. In both, HPE was excluded by brain imaging, although uncommon brain anomalies were detected consisting of multiple white‐matter lesions in the one patient and unusual enlargement and tortuosity of intracerebral blood vessels in both patients. In addition to facial anomalies, the patients also had psychiatric problems typically seen in velo‐cardio‐facial syndrome (VCFS). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis confirmed a 22q11.2 microdeletion in both. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Teebi hypertelorism syndrome: additional cases

We report on two unrelated Brazilian boys who have craniofacial and digital anomalies resembling those reported with Teebi hypertelorism syndrome. Additional features such as cleft lip and palate, large uvula, atypical chin and abnormal scapulae were observed.     

Case report and delineation of the congenital hypothalamic hamartoblastoma syndrome (Pallister-Hall syndrome)

We report one new case of congenital hypothalamic hamartoblastoma syndrome (Pallister-Hall syndrome) and one case of a diencephalic nodule associated with craniofacial malformations. Based on a review of 11 cases of Pallister-Hall syndrome documented by pathological examination, two cases presumed by phenotype, three cases of hypothalamic hamartoma with craniofacial anomalies only, and several cases of related interest, we delineate the clinical, neuroradiologic, and neuropathologic manifestations which aid in differential diagnosis. Clinical manifestations in infants with Pallister-Hall syndrome included postaxial polydactyly with nail dysplasia, short nose with flat nasal bridge, apparently low-set, posteriorly angulated ears, kidney and lung anomalies, congenital heart defects, imperforate anus, and micropenis with undescended or hypoplastic testes in males. These manifestations were associated with varying degrees of panhypopituitarism and pituitary aplasia. In three cases of hypothalamic hamartoma associated with craniofacial anomalies only, the face resembled that of holoprosencephaly. Other cases of hypothalamic hamartoma have had associated palate or heart defects or presented with precocious puberty. Of the infants with a hypothalamic hamartoblastoma at autopsy, neuropathologic findings were consistent with a primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Surgical tissue from our sole survivor suggested such tumors might mature, and the tumor has not recurred. Neuroradiologic diagnosis may be difficult but should be attempted in infants with these clinical manifestations; due to the need for prompt initiation of appropriate therapy.     

Say syndrome: report of a familial case.

We describe a new case of Say syndrome. This syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by cleft palate, short stature of prenatal onset, large protruding ears and microcephaly, delayed bone age, and renal anomalies. The first report was in 1975 by Say et al. in three generations of a family. Three additional reports of isolated cases were published. Our propositus is a 12-month-old boy with the cardinal signs of the syndrome whose mother has only microcephaly. To our knowledge this is the second familial report with evidence of highly variable expressivity. The occurrence of renal anomalies in a son of a normal sister of his mother suggests incomplete penetrance.     

Anophthalmia,intracerebral cysts,and cleft lip/palate: Expansion of the phenotype in oculocerebrocutaneous syndrome?

We report on a patient with multiple congenital anomalies including anophthalmia, cleft lip and palate, and central nervous system anomalies similar to the case reported by Leichtman et al. [1994: Am J Med Genet 50:39–41] and to oculocerebrocutaneous (Delleman) syndrome. Although the two cases and those with oculocerobrocutaneous syndrome may represent separate but overlapping entities, our patient and the case described by Leichtman et al. [1994: Am J Med Genet 50:39–41] may represent a more severe form of oculocerebrocutaneous syndrome. Am. J. Med. Genet. 68:39–42, 1997 © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Malpuech facial clefting syndrome in a Japanese boy with cardiac defects

Summary We reported on a Japanese boy similar to the patients previously reported by Malpuechet al. (1983) with mental and growth retardation, hypertelorism, bilateral cleft lips, cleft palate, and urogenital anomalies. He also had undescribed cardiac defects. This is probably the second case report of Malpuech facial clefting syndrome.     

Survival and spectrum of anomalies in the Meckel syndrome

We present two sisters whose malformations (hydrocephalus, cystic dysplasia of the kidneys, polydactyly, and cleft palate) are consistent with a diagnosis of the Meckel syndrome. Diagnosis in case 1 was delayed because of two factors: 1) prolonged survival (28 mo), and 2) the absence of severe craniofacial malformations. These two factors may create difficulties in making this diagnosis and result in uncertainty regarding the medical prognosis of the infant and the genetic prognosis for the parents.     

Variation in IRF6 contributes to nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate

Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCLP) is a common craniofacial birth defect which results in lifelong medical and social consequences. While there have been a number of attempts to identify the genes responsible for this disorder, the results have not been consistent among populations and no single gene has been identified as playing a major susceptibility role. Van der Woude syndrome, a disorder characterized by lower-lip pits with or without cleft lip/palate, results in many cases from mutations in the interferon regulatory factor 6 (IRF6) gene. Recently, Zucchero et al. [2004: N Engl J Med 351:769-780] detected an association between SNPs in IRF6 and NSCLP in a number of different populations. A subsequent study by Scapoli et al. [2005: Am J Hum Genet 76:180-183] confirmed this association in an Italian population. We examined the same SNPs as Scapoli et al. [2005] in our large, well-characterized sample of NSCLP families and trios, and also detected an altered transmission of IRF6 alleles. This additional confirmation further strengthens the IRF6 association and suggests that IRF6 plays a role in NSCLP susceptibility.     

Microdeletion 20p12.3 involving BMP2 contributes to syndromic forms of cleft palate

Orofacial clefts of the lip and/or palate comprise one of the most common craniofacial birth defects in humans. Though a majority of cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CL/P) occurs as isolated congenital anomalies, there exist a large number of Mendelian disorders in which orofacial clefting is part of the clinical phenotype. Here we report on two individuals and one multi-generational family with microdeletions at 20p12.3 that include the bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) gene. In two propositi the deletion was almost identical at ～600 kb in size, and BMP2 was the only gene deleted; the third case had a ～5.5-Mb deletion (20p13p12.2) that encompassed at least 20 genes including BMP2. Clinical features were significant for cleft palate and facial dysmorphism in all three patients, including Pierre-Robin sequence in two. Microdeletion 20p13p12 involving BMP2 is rare and has been implicated in Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome with neurocognitive deficits and with Alagille syndrome when the deletion includes the neighboring JAG1 gene in addition to BMP2. Despite a significant role for the BMPs in orofacial development, heterozygous loss of BMP2 has not been previously reported in patients with syndromic clefting defects. Because BMP2 was the sole deleted gene in Patients 1 and 2 and one of the genes deleted in Patient 3, all of whom had clinical features in common, we suggest that haploinsufficiency for BMP2 is a crucial event that predisposes to cleft palate and additional anomalies. Lack of significant phenotypic components in family members of Patient 1 suggests variable expressivity for the phenotype.     

Steinfeld syndrome: Report of a second family and further delineation of a rare autosomal dominant disorder

We report on a fetus with alobar holoprosencephaly, microphthalmia, midline cleft lip and palate, absent nose, dysplastic ears, radial defects, pentalogy of Fallot, unilateral renal aplasia, absent gallbladder, vertebral anomalies, and absence of ribs. The father had a cleft palate, bilateral colobomas of the iris and retina, a bifid uvula, vertebral anomalies, and unilateral congential hearing loss. His sister had a cleft lip. On the basis of this family and the family reported by Steinfeld [1982], this malformation syndrome can be defined as a rare autosomal dominant syndrome whose main component manifestations are holoprosencephaly, predominantly radial limb deficiency, heart defects, kidney malformations, absence of gallbladder, and vertebral anomalies. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Bifid tongue: a rare feature associated with infants of diabetic mother syndrome

Infants born to diabetic mothers (IDM) are well documented to have a higher rate of congenital malformations. Sacral agenesis/hypogenesis and caudal dysgenesis are classically linked to maternal diabetes, but many other types of anomalies are more frequent. In this case report, we describe a male infant born to a diabetic mother who in addition to other typical congenital abnormalities was born with an impressive bifid tongue. Accompanying congenital anomalies include unilateral microphthalmia, bilateral microtia, cleft palate, micropenis with unilateral cryptorchidism, bilateral radial hypoplasia, unilateral pre-axial polydactyly, and mid-line central nervous system defects including arhinencephaly and pituitary hypoplasia. Review of the literature reveals an additional case of an infant with a bifid tongue born to a diabetic mother [Comess et al., 1969]. In conclusion, bifid tongue without oral hamartoma, a rare congenital anomaly, can be an associated finding in IDM.     

Frontofacionasal dysplasia: evidence for autosomal recessive inheritance

We report on a 2-month-old girl whose parents are first cousins. The patient has severe craniofacial anomalies characterized by: encephalocele, hypertelorism, midface hypoplasia, hypoplasia of frontal bone on the left side, malformed left eye, absent inner eyelashes, irregular S-shaped palpebral fissures, deformed nostrils, hypoplastic right nasal wing and cleft lip, and clefts of premaxilla, palate and uvula. No other malformations were observed. This association of anomalies suggests the diagnosis of frontofacionasal dysplasia. Parental consanguinity suggests autosomal recessive inheritance.     

"ADAM complex" (amniotic deformity, adhesions, mutilations)--a pattern of craniofacial and limb defects.

We report eight patients with the craniofacial defects and limb anomalies of the (amniotic deformity, adhesions, mutilations) ADAM complex. Facial abnormalities comprise clefts and distortion and dislocation of craniofacial structures; limbs show various combinations of amputation, secondary syndactyly, and constriction. From previous reports and our cases it is obvious that the clinical picture of the ADAM complex varies enormously; a less severe type combines cleft lip and palate with amputations or amniotic bands. Clinical and experimental data suggest that these malformations are of symptomatic (exogenous) origin. Nosologic differentiation from other conditions phenotypically similar but of genetic etiology is important for genetic counseling. Observation of the ADAM complex in two members of a family suggests that genetic factors might operate in some cases.     

“ADAM complex” (amniotic deformity,adhesions, mutilations)—A pattern of craniofacial and limb defects

We report eight patients with the craniofacial defects and limb anomalies of the (amniotic deformity, adhesions, mutilations) ADAM complex. Facial abnormalities comprise clefts and distortion and dislocation of craniofacial structures; limbs show various combinations of amputation, secondary syndactyly, and constriction. From previous reports and our cases it is obvious that the clinical picture of the ADAM complex varies enormously; a less severe type combines cleft lip and palate with amputations or amniotic bands. Clinical and experimental data suggest that these malformations are of symptomatic (exogenous) origin. Nosologic differentation from other conditions phenotypically similar but of genetic etiology is important for genetic counseling. Observation of the ADAM complex in two members of a family suggests that genetic factors might operate in some cases.     

Velo-cardio-facial syndrome: A review of 120 patients

A series of earlier reports has described the velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS), a syndrome of multiple anomalies including cleft palate, heart malformations, facial characteristics, and learning disabilities. The patients reported previously were primarily ascertained from a craniofacial program at a large tertiary medical center. Recent reports, including a companion paper in this issue, suggest that this common syndrome of clefting is also a common syndrome of congenital heart defect (CHD) which is expressed as familial examples of DiGeorge sequence. Appreciation of more severely affected cases of VCFS and the detection of mild expressions have led to a broadening of the phenotypic spectrum of the syndrome. The purpose of this report is to describe the full spectrum of VCFS, including several new manifestations and to compare the VCFS phenotype with published cases of “familial DiGeorge sequence” which are now thought to represent examples of VCFS. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

An autosomal recessive syndrome of cleft palate, cardiac defect, genital anomalies, and ectrodactyly (CCGE).

We report a brother and sister affected by a constellation of malformations, including cleft palate, cardiac defect, genital anomalies, and ectrodactyly (CCGE). A similar association has been reported previously by Richieri-Costa and Orquizas in a male patient born to consanguineous parents. An autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance is proposed for this syndrome.     

New cases of Bohring-Opitz syndrome, update, and critical review of the literature

We report on four additional unrelated cases of Bohring-Opitz syndrome with the highly characteristic phenotype of facial anomalies including bulging forehead over the metopic suture, frontal nevus flammeus, exophthalmos, hypertelorism, upslanting palpebral fissures, and cleft lip and/or palate, as well as flexion deformities of the upper limbs, multiple other anomalies, and severe failure to thrive. We also update the clinical outcome of the patients reported in the original article by Bohring et al. [Am J Med Genet 85:438-446] and critically review the subsequently published cases considered to have Bohring-Opitz syndrome.