Further delineation of the Opitz G/BBB syndrome: Report of an infant with complex congenital heart disease and bladder exstrophy,and review of the literature

The combination of complex congenital heart disease (double outlet right ventricle with pulmonary atresia, malalignment ventriculoseptal defect, right-sided aortic arch with left ductus arteriosus) and bladder exstrophy occurred in an infant with Opitz syndrome. Neither of these defects has previously been reported in association with Opitz syndrome. These malformations, which are midline defects, further characterize this syndrome as an impairment in midline development. The spectrum of congenital heart disease and genitourinary anomalies seen in Opitz syndrome is reviewed. Am. J. Med. Genet. 78:294–299, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Midline raphé, sternal cleft, and other midline abnormalities: a new dominant syndrome?

Sternal fusion defects are malformations that often present as an isolated finding. An association with multiple malformations has been reported, in particular with midline raphe and craniofacial hemangiomas and as part of the pentalogy of Cantrell. Most syndromic cases were sporadic with a few families reported with recurrence in sibs. We describe a mother and two daughters with midline raphe and sternal defects. Affected members also had double central incisors, congenital heart defect, neck webbing, bicornuate uterus and minor anomalies including long face with hypotelorism. None of the three affected relatives had hemangiomas. The manifestations of these patients do not fit any previously described condition, and we propose they represent a new syndrome. This family is also important as it points to a possible genetic cause for at least some cases of this disorder of the ventral midline.     

Pterygium colli medianum and midline cervical cleft: midline anomalies in the sense of a developmental field defect

We report on 2 patients (and review a third) with a vertical midline neck web which extends from the lower symphysis of the mandible to a variable extent down to the jugular notch. This uncommon congenital anomaly, previously reported primarily in the (plastic) surgery literature, is interpreted as the mildest form and most dorsal extension of anterior midline cleft defects which include the supraumbilical raphé and cleft sternum with or without congenital hemangiomata. By analogy with the former, and the fact that in a boy with a severe cervical midline web there was a cleft of the upper sternum, we interpret this neck-web as a developmental field defect. It is a sporadic anomaly but may be associated with other midline malformations including congenital heart defect(s). Thus, finding such a web at birth should prompt a careful search for other anomalies.     

Pentalogy of Cantrell and associated midline anomalies: A possible ventral midline developmental field

Five cases of the Pentalogy of Cantrell (PC), ascertained through the Baltimore–Washington population-based study of infants with congenital cardiovascular malformations, represent a regional prevalence of 5.5/1 million liveborn infants for this disorder. Three of these patients had cleft lip with or without palate. Review of the reported literature of the Pentalogy of Cantrell and various combinations of the anomalies within the spectrum of this pentad suggests that the PC defines a specific midline ventral developmental field. Cleft lip with or without cleft palate and encephalocele tend to specifically associate with ventral midline anomalies within the spectrum of PC. These associations might either illustrate the previously observed tendency of specific occurrence of certain combinations of midline defects or represent defined subunits of the midline developmental field.     

26例胎儿先天性心脏畸形的产前诊断及临床分析

目的了解胎儿先天性心脏畸形的类型,分析胎儿先天性心脏畸形合并心外畸形及染色体异常的发生率。方法回顾性分析产前超声发现胎儿先天性心脏畸形,且经过产前染色体检查及产后病理解剖证实的26例病例。结果发现10种类型的胎儿先天性心脏畸形,其中室间隔缺损的发生率最高,达57.2%,有4例单纯一种心脏畸形（15.4%）,11例多发心脏畸形（42.3%）,15例合并心外畸形（52.7%）,12例合并染色体异常（46.2%）。结论胎儿期发现的先天性心脏畸形的类型一般较为严重,发生多种心脏畸形的机率较高,合并心外畸形和染色体异常的发生率也较高。     

Pentalogy of Cantrell and associated midline anomalies: a possible ventral midline developmental field.

Five cases of the Pentalogy of Cantrell (PC), ascertained through the Baltimore-Washington population-based study of infants with congenital cardiovascular malformations, represent a regional prevalence of 5.5/1 million liveborn infants for this disorder. Three of these patients had cleft lip with or without palate. Review of the reported literature of the Pentalogy of Cantrell and various combinations of the anomalies within the spectrum of this pentad suggests that the PC defines a specific midline ventral developmental field. Cleft lip with or without cleft palate and encephalocele tend to specifically associate with ventral midline anomalies within the spectrum of PC. These associations might either illustrate the previously observed tendency of specific occurrence of certain combinations of midline defects or represent defined subunits of the midline developmental field.     

Extracranial midline defects in a patient with craniofrontonasal syndrome with a novel EFNB1 mutation

We report a female patient with craniofrontonasal syndrome (CFNS) who in addition showed other cranial and extracranial midline defects including partial corpus callosum agenesis, ocular melanocytosis, pigmentary glaucoma, duplex collecting system, uterus didelphys, and septate vagina. She was found to have a novel pathogenic variant in exon 5 of EFNB1, c.646G>T (p.Glu216*) predicted to cause premature protein truncation. From our review, we found at least 39 published CFNS patients with extracranial midline defects, comprising congenital diaphragmatic hernia, congenital heart defects, umbilical hernia, hypospadias, and less frequently, sacrococcygeal teratomas, and internal genital anomalies in females. These findings support that the EFNB1 mutations have systemic consequences disrupting morphogenetic events at the extracranial midline. Though these are not rigorously included as midline defects, we found at least 10 CFNS patients with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract, all females. Additionally, uterus didelphys and ocular melanocytosis observed in our patient are proposed also as a previously unreported EFNB1‐related midline defects. In addition, this case may be useful for considering the intentional search for genitourinary anomalies in future patients with CFNS, which will be helpful to define their frequency in this entity.     

Diaphragmatic defects and limb deficiencies - taking sides

Diaphragmatic defects and limb deficiencies usually occur as independent anomalies, as a polytopic field defect (in which ipsilateral anomalies might be expected) or as wider pattern of defects, potentially involving disturbance of laterality or the midline (in which bilateral or contralateral defects would occur). Data on cases from previous studies and/or the literature were used to determine whether there is an association between the sides involved in the defects. The 88 adequately described cases identified included 20 with de Lange syndrome, seven with Poland anomaly, four with trisomy 18, 52 with other patterns of multiple malformations and five with diaphragmatic and limb defects alone. Evaluation of the position of the limb (left, right, bilateral) and the diaphragmatic defects (left, right, bilateral) did not show significant association in patterns of sidedness (P = 0.48). In 56% of cases, the limb deficiencies were bilateral. Among the 32 unilateral cases, 19 (59%) were ipsilateral (15 left; 4 right) and 13(41%) were contralateral (P = 0.38). Eleven of the 13 contralateral cases had left sided diaphragmatic defects and right sided limb deficiency; four had de Lange syndrome and nine had other patterns of multiple anomalies. Only cases with Poland anomaly or otherwise isolated defects showed a trend towards ipsilateral defects. Most cases with multiple congenital anomalies, had limbs defects on both the right and left (57%) or both sides of the diaphragm were affected (an additional 10%), indicating a widespread dysmorphogenetic process rather than a more restricted field defect. In other cases, defects were bilateral or, if unilateral, reflected the propensities for diaphragmatic defects to more often involve the left side, and limb defects, the right.     

Clinical/epidemiological analysis of malformations

To investigate the heterogeneity of congenital malformations, we analyzed the distribution of 14 selected anomalies among 11,421 children with isolated defects and with different patterns of multiple congenital anomalies (MCA). Our study showed a marked variability in the distribution of each of these malformations. For example, although anophthalmia/microphthalmia, cleft palate, and limb deficiency were observed in all etiological categories of syndromes, no case with anencephaly was identified among the 1,244 children with different syndromes. Diaphragmatic hernia, esophageal atresia +/- tracheoesophageal fistula, and gastroschisis were not found in any monogenic syndrome in this sample. These observations may be of help to the clinician in the evaluation of individual children with MCA.     

Twelve new patients with 13q deletion syndrome: Genotype–phenotype analyses in progress

13q deletion is characterized by a wide phenotypic spectrum resulting from a partial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 13. The main clinical features are mental retardation, growth retardation, craniofacial dysmorphy and various congenital defects. Only one recent Italian study was aimed at determining genotype–phenotype correlations among 13q deletions from a group of mainly live born children, using array-CGH and FISH.In order to improve the molecular characterization of 13q monosomy, 12 new patients (9 foetuses and 3 children) were collected based on a cohort of holoprosencephaly (HPE) linked to ZIC2 gene deletion and/or patients with 13q deletion diagnosed by standard karyotype. First, quantitative gene screening using MLPA (Multiplex Ligation dependent Probe Amplification) was performed to look for ZIC2 gene deletion and then, CGH array analysis was carried out using the Agilent Human Genome CGH microarray 4 × 44K (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, USA).All the foetuses had severe cerebral midline malformations associated with a deletion including the ZIC2 gene. We report one patient with Steinfeld phenotype linked to this chromosomal anomaly, and suggest that some of the associations between cerebral midline malformation and limb defects might be related to 13q deletion.Further candidate genes are suspected to explain the malformations associated with cerebral anomalies in the hypothesis of a contiguous gene syndrome: SPRY2 in 13q31.1 is implicated in lens cell proliferation and differentiation for congenital cataract; GPC5 in 13q32 is mainly expressed in the mesenchyme of the developing limb bud for upper limb anomalies.     

Upper limb deficiencies and associated malformations: a population-based study.

As part of an ongoing analysis of limb deficiencies occurring among 1,213,913 consecutive livebirths in British Columbia during the years 1952-1984, all cases with deficiencies of the upper limbs were analysed with a view to identifying associated patterns of anomalies. This analysis resulted in seven subgroups. For each subgroup, incidence figures for cases with and without additional anomalies were calculated separately. The proportion of cases with additional anomalies varied markedly by subgroup. For example, 89% of cases with longitudinal defects of the radius had additional malformations, while only 28% of cases with transverse defects of the radius had other organ anomalies (chi 2 = 40.55; P < 0.001, one degree of freedom). A preponderance of males was found among the cases with associated defects, particularly in the group with longitudinal defects of the radius (28 males, 14 females; chi 2 = 14.10; P < 0.001). Clustering of specific patterns of associated malformations is described within subgroups.     

Using log-linear models to test for associations among congenital malformations

Log-linear models can be used to test for pairwise associations and higher order interactions among anatomically distinct birth defects or congenital malformations. A log-linear model, including terms for every possible pairwise association among seven severe and easily detectable congenital malformations, was examined using data on 16,217 infants registered in the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program between 1968 and 1986. The resulting model showed clear patterns of strong association between some congenital malformations and not others, and the presence of 3-way interaction terms where the association between two malformations depended on the presence of a third. Examining a more parsimonious log-linear model showed overlapping patterns of pairwise association involving anal-rectal atresia and omphalocele, anal-rectal atresia and limb deficiency, and anal-rectal atresia and tracheaesophageal fistula. A second common pattern involved a triangular cluster with a hierarchical relationship among the three malformations (where there was a strong association between the first and second malformations and between the first and third malformations, but the association between the second and third was only seen in the absence of the first). Three such overlapping triangular clusters were identified from these data: neural tube defects, oral clefts, and omphalocele; neural tube defects, oral clefts, and limb deficiency; and limb deficiency, diaphragmatic hernia, and neural tube defects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Primary midline developmental field. I. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics

Opitz [BD: OAS XXIX(1): 3-37, 1993] has postulated that during early blastogenesis the entire embryo represents a single morphogenetic unit, the primary field. During this period, beginning gastrulation, the most important events are the formation of the midline and the mesoderm. Consequently, one could expect that dysmorphogenetic reactions of the primary field are likely to disturb more than one of the essential events of blastogenesis, such as fusion, lateralization, decussation, segmentation, morphogenetic movements, asymmetry formation, etc. I have used the 20,891 liveborn malformed infants identified by the Spanish Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations (ECEMC) to analyze the concept of the primary field defect (DFD). The malformed children were separated into 4,679 children with only midline defects, 1,592 children with midline plus other non-midline anomalies, and 14,620 babies without midline defects. Sex, twinning, neonatal death, parental consanguinity, and other malformed first degree relatives in the family were analyzed in each group. Different defects were selected as indicators of specific morphogenetic events of blastogenesis. Cardiac and neural tube defect were selected as indicators of fusion anomalies; agenesis/hypoplasia of the corpus callosum were included as example of decussation defect; cyclopia as representation of the alteration of lateralization; vertebral defects as indicators of anomalies of segmentation; intestinal malrotation and omphalocele as representatives of the alteration of the morphogenetic movement; and, finally, infants with asplenia, polysplenia, dextrocardias, transposition of great vessels, visceral transposition, and situs inversus totalis were grouped to allow an analysis of alteration of the normal body asymmetry. The results of this analysis demonstrate, from an epidemiological standpoint, that the infants with midline anomalies have alteration of the normal body asymmetry more frequently than infants without midline defects. Children with midline anomalies have more severe malformations with high lethality, associated with twinning, without sex differences in occurrence, and with low recurrence risk, than do infants without midline defects, as was suggested by Opitz [BD: OAS XXIX(1): 3–37, 1993]. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Pathogenetic classification of a series of 27,145 consecutive infants with congenital defects

We studied a series of 27,145 consecutive infants with congenital defects and classified them into the currently recognized pathogenetic types of errors of morphogenesis, as defined by the International Working Group [Spranger et al., 1982: J Pediatrics 1:160-165]. Of all infants with congenital defects, 97.94% had malformations, 3.92% deformations, and 1.65% disruptions. Malformations associated with deformations were present in 3.12% of children with congenital anomalies, malformations with disruptions in 0.18%, deformations with disruptions in 0.07%, and malformations with deformations and disruptions in 0.14%. While deformations, including deformation sequences, were 2.38 times more common than disruptions and disruption sequences, isolated disruptions (1.27%) were more frequent than isolated deformations (0.59%). Knowledge of the frequencies of the different types of errors of morphogenesis (malformations, deformations, disruptions, developmental field defects, associations, complexes, unrecognized patterns of multiple congenital anomaly, and syndromes) may be of great value in the evaluation of patients with congenital anomalies.     

Polyasplenia complex with mesocardia and renal agenesis in an infant of a diabetic mother

Despite improved prenatal care, infants of diabetic mothers (IDM) have an increased risk of congenital malformations. We report on an IDM with multiple congenital anomalies consistent with the polyasplenia complex with associated mesocardia and renal agenesis. The morphologic characteristics of these malformations are discussed. Special emphasis is given to the polyasplenia complex as an example of midline developmental field defect. The importance of maternal levels of hemoglobin A1c in relation to congenital malformations is addressed.     

CONGENITAL BRAIN AND FACIAL ANOMALIES IN THE D1 TRISOMY SYNDROME—REPORT OF A CASE AND A REVIEW OF LITERATURE—

On 58 cases of D₁ trisomy, which were classified as those with seven separate D chromosomes, including the one in this report, congenital brain and facial anomalies were reviewed and discussed. Congenital brain defects in this syndrome might be classified into three groups: (I) grossly normal brain, (II) absence of olfactory bulbi and tracts, but normally-separated cerebral hemisphere, and (III) completely or {incompletely uncleaved hemispheres with absence of olfactory bulbi and tracts. 25.9% of the cases were found in group I, 56.9% in group II, and 17.2% in group III, respectively. Although facial anomalies predicted the brain defects in group III, malformations of the face were not concerned with the brain defects in group I and II. There were no cases with both, normal brain and face.     

Congenital brain and facial anomalies in the D1 trisomy syndrome--report of a case and a review of literature--.

On 58 cases of D1 trisomy, which were classified as those with seven separate D chromosomes, including the one in this report, congenital brain and facial anomalies were reviewed and discussed. Congenital brain defects in this syndrome might be classified into three groups: (I) grossly normal brain, (II) absence of olfactory bulbi and tracts, but normally-separated cerebral hemisphere, and (III) completely or incompletely uncleaved hemispheres with absence of olfactory bulbi and tracts. 25.9% of the cases were found in group I, 56.9% in group II, and 17.2% in group III, respectively. Although facial anomalies predicted the brain defects in group III, malformations of the face were not concerned with the brain defects in group I and II. There were no cases with both, normal brain and face.     

Upper limb deficiencies and associated malformations: A population-based study

As part of an ongoing analysis of limb deficiencies occurring among 1,213,913 consecutive livebirths in British Columbia during the years 1952–1984, all cases with deficiencies of the upper limbs were analysed with a view to identifying associated patterns of anomalies. This analysis resulted in seven subgroups. For each subgroup, incidence figures for cases with and without additional anomalies were calculated separately. The proportion of cases with additional anomalies varied markedly by subgroup. For example, 89% of cases with longitudinal defects of the radius had additional malformations, while only 28% of cases with transverse defects of the radius had other organ anomalies (χ² = 40.55; P < 0.001, one degree of freedom). A preponderance of males was found among the cases with associated defects, particularly in the group with longitudinal defects of the radius (28 males, 14 females; χ² = 14.10; P < 0.001). Clustering of specific patterns of associated malformations is described within subgroups. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Associated malformations among infants with neural tube defects

Infants with neural tube defects (NTDs) often have associated congenital anomalies. The reported frequency and types of associated malformations vary between different studies. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the frequency and types of associated malformations among infants with NTDs in a geographically well-defined population from 1979 to 2008 of 402,532 consecutive births. Of the 441 infants with NTDs born during this period, 20.4% had associated malformations. Infants with associated malformations were divided into those with recognizable conditions [11 (2.5%) infants with chromosomal and 23 (5.2%) with non-chromosomal conditions], and those without recognizable conditions [56 (12.7%) infants with multiple malformations]. Associated malformations were more frequent among infants with encephalocele (36.8%) than those with anencephaly (11.5%) or spina bifida (23.8%). Oral clefts and malformations in the musculoskeletal, renal and cardiovascular systems were the most commonly observed associated anomalies. The frequency of associated malformations in infants with NTDs emphasizes the need for a thorough investigation of these infants. Routine screening for other malformations, especially facial clefts and musculoskeletal, renal and cardiac anomalies, may need to be considered in infants with NTDs, and referral of these infants for genetics evaluation and counseling seems warranted.     

Craniorachischisis and omphalocele in a stillborn cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis)

Nonhuman primates have been a common animal model to evaluate experimentally induced malformations. Reports on spontaneous malformations are important in determining the background incidence of congenital anomalies in specific species and in evaluating experimental results. Here we report on a stillborn cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) with multiple congenital anomalies from the colony maintained at the Southwest National Primate Research Center at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas. Physical findings included low birth weight, craniorachischisis, facial abnormalities, omphalocele, malrotation of the gut with areas of atresia and intussusception, a Meckel diverticulum, arthrogryposis, patent ductus arteriosus, and patent foramen ovale. The macaque had normal male external genitalia, but undescended testes. Gestational age was unknown but was estimated from measurements of the limbs and other developmental criteria. Although cytogenetic analysis was not possible due to the tissues being in an advanced state of decomposition, array Comparative Genomic Hybridization analysis using human bacterial artificial chromosome clones was successful in effectively eliminating aneuploidy or any copy number changes greater than approximately 3-5 Mb as a cause of the malformations. Further evaluation of the animal included extensive imaging of the skeletal and neural tissue defects. The animal's congenital anomalies are discussed in relation to the current hypotheses attempting to explain the frequent association of neural tube defects with other abnormalities.