"Shake hands"; diagnosing a floppy infant--myotonic dystrophy and the congenital subtype: a difficult perinatal diagnosis

Myotonic dystrophy is a multi-organ disease inherited in a complicated way. Congenital myotonic dystrophy is a distinct entity with severe symptoms leading to a high rate of perinatal morbidity and mortality. The occurrence of congenital myotonic dystrophy often allows a subsequent diagnosis in the mother with important implications for her life, her further pregnancies and offspring. Genetic principles of anticipation and somatic mosaicism are involved and hamper the prenatal diagnostic possibilities. A family is presented in which maternal myotonic dystrophy and congenital myotonic dystrophy were diagnosed after the third pregnancy. The key features leading to the diagnosis were obstetric history, neonatal hypotonia and asphyxia, facial abnormalities in the mother together with the inability to bury eyelashes and delayed release of grip after shaking hands. The disorder is reviewed with respect to clinical symptoms, pathogenesis and genetics.     

Prenatal diagnosis in a female carrying a deletion close to the Duchenne locus

Family studies including the proband are usually needed before a prenatal diagnosis may be performed for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We report here on prenatal diagnosis in a family where the solitary index case was dead, and where the consultand and her mother were assumed to be carriers by independent evidence. DNA analysis revealed that both the consultand and her mother had an X chromosome deleted for DNA material in the Xp21 region. The female fetus also carried the deleted X chromosome.     

Myotonic dystrophy in pregnancy. Prenatal, neonatal and maternal considerations

Five pregnancies occurred in three women with myotonic dystrophy. Four of the five infants had generalized hypotonia, respiratory failure, swallowing difficulties and arthrogryposis; two of the affected infants died despite intensive treatment. The surviving affected children had a gradual improvement in respiratory and swallowing symptoms but have remained hypotonic and developmentally delayed. The fifth infant was entirely normal. Polyhydramnios was the most constant feature of the affected pregnancies. Three of the four affected fetuses weighed less than 2,500 gm. Other obstetric complications were not prominent. Second-trimester amniocentesis and linkage studies have a role in predicting myotonic dystrophy. Real-time ultrasound can be used in the prenatal diagnosis of neonatal myotonic dystrophy.     

Prenatal diagnosis in myotonic dystrophy type 1. Thirteen years of experience: implications for reproductive counselling in DM1 families

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the results obtained from prenatal diagnoses in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) performed in our hospitals during the last 13 years. METHODS: Molecular analyses were conducted on chorionic villi or cultured amniotic fluid samples obtained for prenatal diagnosis of DM1. CTG expansion was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot techniques. RESULTS: From 154 prenatal diagnoses performed in 13 years, 51% were found to be healthy and 49% affected. Considering the 75 carriers of the mutation, in 65.3% of the cases, the mother was the transmitting parent versus 36.5% of fathers. From these female transmissions, 31/49 foetuses had expansion in the neonatal form range, namely, congenital myotonic dystrophy (CMD). CONCLUSIONS: In our series, no significant deviation of the 50% expected frequency of transmission in autosomal dominant disorder was seen. We show that when the disease is transmitted by a male, the mean intergenerational variation is minimal (mean = 56 CTG, SD = 177 CTG). However, this does not occur in the affected mothers, where the mean intergenerational expansion is very high (mean = 948 CTG, SD = 815 CTG) and the difference is statistically significant (t-Student p < 0.0001). Our data have important implications for the genetic counselling of DM1 families.     

Congenital myotonic dystrophy

We describe a case of severe congenital myotonic dystrophy (CDM). A 38-year-old primigravida, who was known to suffer from mild myotonic dystrophy (DM), conceived spontaneously and booked for confinement at 11 weeks in our unit. The couple had been fully counseled about the risks of transmission of this condition to their offspring before embarking on this pregnancy. Despite being fully aware of the risks, they declined prenatal diagnosis. The pregnancy was monitored by serial ultrasound scans. The diagnosis of CDM was suspected by ultrasound markers of borderline ventriculomegaly, polyhydramnios, and reduced fetal movements. The pregnancy ended prematurely at 33 weeks in an emergency caesarean section because of severe fetal compromise. The neonate died almost immediately after birth. The genetic analysis of cord blood confirmed severe DM. This case highlights the importance of ultrasound markers for the diagnosis of CDM in the absence of definitive prenatal diagnosis.     

Myotonic dystrophy and pregnancy: a review

The previous reports of 20 women with myotonic dystrophy and pregnancy are reviewed, and a new case report added. Myotonic dystrophy is often unrecognized in early life due to vague symptoms, and is often first diagnosed during pregnancy which is known to worsen the main features of muscular weakness and myotonia. Complications of pregnancy and delivery are frequent and serious and should be known to all those dealing with pregnant women. A history of fetal wastage or a child suffering from symptoms of congenital myotonic dystrophy may be a clue to the diagnosis and these patients should be closely followed until safe delivery. The neonatologist should be involved as feeding and respiratory problems in the neonate may indicate that the infant is affected.     

Detection of a novel dystrophin gene mutation through carrier analysis performed during prenatal diagnosis in a case with intragenic recombination

OBJECTIVES: To report a multi-technical approach to Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) mutation testing through carrier analysis, in the prenatal diagnosis of a male foetus without a known mutation segregating in the family and with inconclusive results of linkage analysis. METHODS: Haplotype analysis with the DMD region markers for assigning the carrier status of the mother and for prenatal diagnosis of foetal DNA; semiquantitative multiplex analysis of maternal and foetal DNA for the promoter and for 34 exons of the DMD gene; sequencing analysis of the maternal and foetal DNA for confirmation of the results. RESULTS: Because of an intragenic recombination of the DMD gene in foetal DNA, haplotype analysis gave inconclusive results. Semiquantitative PCR analysis displayed a pattern compatible with a heterozygous exon 60 mutation in the mother's DNA, while foetal DNA showed a normal migration pattern. Sequencing analysis confirmed the presence of a novel 7 base-pair deletion in exon 60 of the DMD gene in the mother and excluded the deletion in the foetus. CONCLUSION: Semiquantitative PCR results allowed the DMD mutation detection in the mother and the exclusion in the foetus, showing its crucial importance in prenatal diagnosis in those cases where linkage analysis is not conclusive.     

Uterine contractions during labor in myotonic muscular dystrophy

Graphic tracings representing uterine contractions during labor in a patient with myotonic muscular dystrophy are presented. The patient had a clinically inert labor requiring oxytocin stimulation and tocodynamometer tracings taken before and after stimulation are compared. The graphic representation of the uterine contractions suggested a prolonged plateau phase of relaxation, which had not been previously reported, and this relaxation phase appeared to be shortened by the oxytocin stimulation.This is also a case of cardiac arrest at 15 weeks' gestation, with survival of mother and delivery of an apparently normal infant.     

Neonatal myotonic dystrophy as a cause of hydramnios and neonatal death. A case report and literature review

A woman had three consecutive pregnancies complicated by hydramnios and early neonatal death. The identical prenatal and neonatal course, family history and, ultimately, maternal diagnosis supported the diagnosis of recurrent severe neonatal myotonic dystrophy. Ultrasonographic observation of the last fetus affected suggested and predicted the neonatal features of the disease.     

Rapid prenatal diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy with gene duplications by ion-pair reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with competitive multiplex polymerase chain reaction strategy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are caused by various mutations in the dystrophin gene. Rapid prenatal diagnosis of DMD with gene duplications is difficult due to limitation in gene dosage determination and the requirement for a known disease-causing mutation in the pedigree to achieve a rapid and accurate diagnosis. We report, here, a case with rapid prenatal diagnosis of DMD-affected male with gene duplications in the absence of a known disease-causing variation in the pedigree by using ion-pair reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (IP-RP-HPLC) coupled with competitive multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol. In cases with clinical diagnosis of DMD/BMD, this test should identify greater than 92% of disease-causing DNA variants. The postnatal genetic diagnosis of this case and the same disease-causing mutations subsequently identified in other members of the pedigree confirmed the accuracy of competitive multiplex PCR/IP-RP-HPLC assay in direct prenatal diagnosis of DMD.     

In utero fetal muscle biopsy: a precious aid for the prenatal diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Prenatal diagnosis for Duchenne muscular dystrophy can usually be performed using DNA analysis. This approach would be impossible when there is only one prior affected male and no identifiable gene deletion. Therefore, in utero fetal thigh muscle biopsy with direct examination of muscle by dystrophin analysis may provide the only means of prenatal diagnosis. We report such a case in which fetal muscle biopsy was able to exclude Duchenne muscular dystrophy. A detailed literature review of the topic is provided.     

Pitfalls in prenatal diagnosis of DMD due to placental mosaicism of the X-chromosomes: prenatal and postnatal findings in a fetus with a deletion of exons 67-71 of the dystrophin gene

Prenatal diagnosis of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD) is performed as a routine procedure in many laboratories. The major potential problem is an incorrect diagnosis that could be obtained due to contamination with maternal tissue. We report a case of mosaicism of the X-chromosomes confined to the placenta as a possible source of confusing results in prenatal diagnosis of DMD. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of this problem in a prenatal DMD diagnosis.     

Obstetric complications as the first sign of myotonic dystrophy

A patient with undiagnosed myotonic dystrophy presented in pregnancy with a history of severe obstetric and neonatal complications in her two previous pregnancies. Problems arising after cesarean section led to the diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy. The features of this condition and its implications for pregnancy are pointed out. Complications of pregnancy and parturition may be the first symptoms of myotonic dystrophy.     

定量多重PCR在筛查DMD携带者和产前诊断中的应用

基于抗肌萎缩蛋白基因(DMD)多个外显子进行对数增长期多重PCR(多聚酶链反应)产物定量分析的原理,本研究在改进Ioannou等方法基础上建立了假性肥大型肌营养不良症(DMD/BMD)定量多重PCR(QM-PCR)技术,应用于携带者筛查和产前诊断.运用多重PCR技术对12个DMD/BMD家系先证者的检测表明缺失一个或一个以上外显子的家系有7个(58.3%).QM-PCR证实7名缺失型患者中6名母亲是与缺失型患者相同的携带者(86.7%).1例检测出外显子缺失的DMD患者,其母亲及外祖母的外周血淋巴细胞DNA未发现任何DMD基因缺失,可以排除为携带者(13.3%).对一名肯定携带者妊娠9周的胎儿进行了性别测定和DMD检测,确诊胎儿为男性DMD患者.一例可能携带者在排除携带者基础上,进一步对妊娠胎儿产前诊断确诊为正常女婴.本研究的结果进一步证实了该技术筛查DMD携带者的可靠性.将本技术与其它技术相结合可明显改进DMD家系中携带者诊断的准确性,并可应用于谱系及多态性信息不详家系的携带者诊断.该技术对防止缺失型DMD患儿和携带者的出生有重要的意义.     

Neonatal myotonic dystrophy associated with prenatal ventriculomegaly. A case report

Myotonic dystrophy is an autosomal dominant neuromuscular disease in which the maternal manifestations may be mild or subclinical. However, the congenital form, transmitted only from affected mothers, is reported to have a neonatal mortality rate as high as 50%. Ultrasonographic features of pregnancies with affected fetuses include hydramnios and decreased fetal movement, breathing motion and swallowing. Several reports have also noted an occasional infant with ventriculomegaly or hydrocephalus. It appears that prenatal ventriculomegaly may also be an occasional ultrasonographic finding heralding neonatal myotonic dystrophy.     

A simple and effective approach for detecting maternal cell contamination in molecular prenatal diagnosis

The presence of maternal cells in fetal samples constitutes a serious potential source for prenatal misdiagnosis. Here we present our approach for detecting maternal cell contamination (MCC) at prenatal diagnosis for eight monogenic disorders (autosomal recessive: beta-thalassaemia, sickle-cell anaemia, cystic fibrosis, prelingual deafness; autosomal dominant: achondroplasia, Huntington disease, myotonic dystrophy, neurofibromatosis type I; X-linked: spinobulbar muscular atrophy). Our aim was to apply a simple and low-cost approach, which would easily and accurately provide information on the fetal tissue MCC status. MCC testing was applied to cases of recessive inheritance where the primary mutation screening of the fetus revealed the presence of the maternal mutation, to cases concerning dominant inheritance and to cases of multiple gestation. The potential presence of maternal cells was determined by the amplification of the 3'-HVR/APO B, D1S80, THO1 and VNTRI of vWf polymorphic loci, which have previously demonstrated high heterozygosity in Caucasians. Among 135 prenatal diagnoses, 44 finally needed to be tested for MCC (32.6%). MCC was detected in four cases, where DNA was isolated directly from chorionic villi samples (CVS), and in one case with DNA isolated directly from amniotic fluid (AF). In almost 90% of cases a simple test of one polymorphic locus provided sufficient information about MCC. The choice of the appropriate locus is therefore essential, while the simultaneous screening of both parents provides the means for distinguishing non-informative sites about MCC.     

Fetal muscle biopsy as a diagnostic tool in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a relentless progressive disorder, leading to severe disability during childhood and death in adolescence or early adulthood. In most families, prenatal diagnosis is readily achieved by molecular detection of DNA deletions using chorionic villi or amniocytes, or by linkage analysis. In some cases, however, molecular methods fail to provide a definitive diagnosis and in such cases in utero fetal muscle biopsy may serve as a diagnostic option. We describe three families in whom fetal muscle biopsy was performed, focusing on the prenatal diagnostic dilemmas, the indications and timing for in utero fetal muscle biopsy, and the difficulties encountered.     

Cystic fibrosis, genetics, and DNA technology

Advances in molecular genetics are leading to changes in practice that have a direct impact on the obstetrician and gynecologist. New techniques of prenatal screening, diagnosis, and potentially therapy are rapidly evolving. Recent developments in cystic fibrosis, preimplantation genetics, fragile X syndrome, neurofibromatosis, muscular dystrophy, and Marfan syndrome are discussed.     

In utero fetal muscle biopsy for the diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Deoxyribonucleic acid techniques can be used to diagnose Duchenne muscular dystrophy prenatally in male fetuses that are at risk. Deoxyribonucleic acid-based prenatal diagnosis can be impossible when there is only one prior affected male and there is no identifiable deletion or alteration. We performed fetal muscle biopsy in utero in such a case and documented the presence of dystrophin, thereby confirming normality in a male fetus at risk. This first in utero experience adds fetal muscle biopsy to the available procedures for fetal tissue diagnosis.     

Dystrophin immunostaining of muscle from Chinese patients with various neuromuscular diseases.

The localization of dystrophin was studied using the immunohistochemical method of diagnostic muscle specimens from 68 patients, aged 9 days to 65 years, with various neuromuscular disorders. Additionally muscle specimens from 2 normal humans and 2 normal mice were used as positive controls, and those from 2 mice with x-linked muscular dystrophy as negative controls. The specimens from all 14 Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients, including one with preclinical DMD, showed negative dystrophin staining except for two which had 0.2% to 0.8% positive fibers. The mdx mice also showed negative dystrophin staining. In Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), muscle fibers stained in a patchy or discontinuous fashion. Two symptomatic DMD carriers exhibited a distinct mosaic pattern of dystrophin positive and negative fibers. In contrast, dystrophin was present in all 7 biopsies from patients with 4 other types of muscular dystrophy (limb-girdle, congenital, myotonic and facioscapulohumeral). Other specimens, those from normal humans and control mice, revealed homogeneous immunostaining along the surface membranes of all muscle fibers. We thus conclude that immunohistochemical dystrophin staining can aid in differentiating DMD from preclinical DMD or BMD, as well as in the detection of DMD carriers.