Fryns Syndrome in a Girl Born to Consanguineous Parents

ABSTRACT. An overweight female newborn with multiple congenital anomalies died shortly after birth. The parents were cousins. The following abnormal findings were noted: Broad, square-shaped head with flat nose, misshapen ears, cleft palate, receding chin, short neck with additional skinfolds, disproportionately short limbs, transverse palmar creases, distal digital hypoplasia with hypoplastic finger- and toenails. Autopsy disclosed a number of further malformations including: dysplasia of the hippocampus, atypical lobation of the lungs with cystic-adenomatoid malformation of the left upper lobe, malrotation of the intestine, bilateral cystic renal dysplasia, bilateral atretic ureters plus a right accessory hydroureter, hypoplastic urinary bladder, uterus and vagina duplex and elongated, partly cystic ovaries. The pattern of malformations in this girl is very similar to that of 7 previously reported patients including two sets of siblings and one instance of parental consanguinity. All patients died shortly after birth. For proper genetic counselling and for prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis in a further pregnancy, it is important to recognize patients with the Fryns syndrome.     

Fryns syndrome: a surviving case with associated Hirschsprung's disease and hemidiaphragmatic agenesis

Fryns syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of multiple congenital abnormalities. Major diagnostic criteria include congenital diaphragmatic hernia, distal limb and nail hypoplasia and abnormal facies. More than 70 cases have been reported since the first report in 1979, 86% of which have been associated with an early lethal outcome. We report the case of a survivor who also has associated Hirschsprung's disease. On review of previously reported cases, defects of neuronal migration may be more common than previously recognized. The diaphragmatic hernia was repaired in two stages with a silastic patch followed by a reversed latissimus dorsi muscle flap.     

Familial occurrence of complete agenesis of the diaphragm

The tenth occurrence of complete unilateral agenesis of the diaphragm (McKusick 22240) in siblings is reported in this study. It is likely that parents of children with this type of congenital diaphragmatic hernia have a significantly increased recurrence risk for future offspring. Genetic counselling and antenatal ultrasound should be considered for subsequent pregnancies in families with a previous child with complete agenesis of the diaphragm.     

Familial severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia: Left herniation in one sibling and bilateral herniation in another

Familial congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is extremely rare; it comprises about 2% of all CDH cases. The empirical risk is about 2%, increasing to 10% in a family with two affected children. This report describes severe CDH in two siblings who had been diagnosed prenatally. The female newborn diagnosed with left CDH prenatally was born at 38 weeks of gestation. Despite surgical repair and intensive treatment, she died 10 days after birth. Her younger brother was born at 39 weeks of gestation after being diagnosed with bilateral CDH prenatally, and died 75 min after birth. Both infants had neither other congenital anomaly nor chromosomal abnormalities. Their parents are healthy without consanguinity. Their first daughter and the fourth child have no congenital anomalies.     

THE COFFIN-SIRIS SYNDROME

Abstract. A 14-month-old female with the Coffin-Siris syndrome is described. Typical features included underweight at birth, growth retardation, microcephaly, profound mental retardation, severe hypotonia with lax joints, feeding difficulties and frequent respiratory tract infections; sparce scalp hair, small nose, epicanthic folds, a prominent philtrum and full lips; a congenital heart defect; hypoplasia or aplasia of the distal phalanges of digits 2–5 and the corresponding nails, especially of the fifth fingers and toes, and aplasia of the middle phalanges of the little fingers and the second and fifth toes; severe delay in bone maturation. The proposita also showed hypoplasia of the lateral portions of both clavicles. Inheritance of the Coffin-Siris syndrome is possibly autosomal recessive.     

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and Chromosomal Anomalies: Autopsy Study

In a 10-year review of autopsy records from Lutheran General Hospital (1992–2002), 13 cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) were found. The fetuses ranged between 21 and 35 wk of gestation. Four were born alive and five were diagnosed prenatally. The defect was left-sided in 11 cases. Cytogenetic study revealed five cases with normal karyotype and three cases with complex karyotypes. In five cases, no karyotype was performed. The three complex karyotypes were: 46,XX,del(8)(p23.1), 47,XX,+i(12)(p10)[6]/46XX[14] (Pallister-Killian syndrome), and 47,XY,+der(22)t(11:22)(q23.3:q11.2). The unbalanced translocation of chromosomes 11 and 22 in congenital diaphragmatic hernia has not been previously described. Three fetuses had heart abnormalities, including one which was associated with the 8p deletion. The other two had no karyotype study. Neither in this study, nor in the literature, is there a consistent or prevailing association between a specific chromosomal anomaly and CDH. The embryologic closure of the diaphragmatic leaflets may be mediated by a nonstructural chromosomal defect, more than one gene, and/or may be related to abnormalities not currently detectable. This study was presented at the College of American Pathologists Meeting, San Diego, California, USA, 10–14 September 2003.     

Neu-Laxova Syndrome: Pathological Evaluation of a Fetus and Review of the Literature

Neu-Laxova syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by ichthyosis, intra-uterine growth retardation, microcephaly, short neck, central nervous system abnormalities, hypo-plastic or atelectatic lungs, limb deformities, edema, polyhydramnios, and short umbilical cord. Abnormal facial features include sloping forehead, hypertelorism, severe ectropion, proptosis, malformed ears, flat nose, and micrognathia. A necropsy study of a male infant with Neu-Laxova syndrome is described. Cleft palate and ambiguous external genitalia were present in addition to anomalies characteristic of Neu-Laxova syndrome. The clinical manifestations are compared with those of the 40 previously reported cases.     

Bilateral congenital diaphragmatic hernia and gastroschisis in a newborn: can low intrathoracic pressure prevent the pulmonary hypoplasia?

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is associated with high mortality and morbidity due to pulmonary hypoplasia (PH) and persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPH). Bilateral CDH is extremely rare with poor prognosis. It is usually accepted that PH in CDH is due to the herniation of abdominal viscera in the thorax leading to compression of the lung and preventing the normal lung development. On the other hand, some authors suggest that the PH occurs independently from the intrathoracic pressure in foetuses with CDH because of embryologic and genetic factors. We report a case of a newborn with bilateral CDH and gastroschisis born without PH, with favourable outcome. We support the hypothesis that a low intrathoracic pressure in patients with CDH allows an improved lung development.     

Re‐evaluation of lung to thorax transverse area ratio immediately before birth in predicting postnatal short‐term outcomes of fetuses with isolated left‐sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia: A single center analysis

We aimed to investigate whether the lung‐to‐thorax transverse area ratio (LTR) immediately before birth is of diagnostic value for the prediction of postnatal short‐term outcomes in cases of isolated left‐sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). We retrospectively reviewed the cases of fetal isolated left‐sided CDH managed at our institution between April 2008 and July 2016. We divided the patients into two groups based on LTR immediately before birth, using a cut‐off value of 0.08. We compared the proportions of subjects within the two groups who survived until discharge using Fisher's exact test. Further, using Spearman's rank correlation, we assessed whether LTR was correlated with length of stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, and supplemental oxygen. Twenty‐nine subjects were included (five with LTR < 0.08, and 24 with LTR ≥ 0.08). The proportion of subjects surviving until discharge was 40% (2/5) for patients with LTR < 0.08, as compared with 96% (23/24) for those with LTR ≥ 0.08. LTR measured immediately before birth was negatively correlated with the postnatal length of stay (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, rs = ?0.486), and the duration of supplemental oxygen (rs = ?0.537). Further, the duration of mechanical ventilation was longer in patients with a lower LTR value. LTR immediately before birth is useful for the prediction of postnatal short‐term outcomes in fetuses with isolated left‐sided CDH. In particular, patients with prenatal LTR value less than 0.08 are at increased risk of postnatal death.     

Renal Tubular Dysgenesis: A Description of Early Renal Maldevelopment in Siblings

A family is described in which three siblings, born after pregnancies complicated by oligohydramnios, developed renal abnormalities. In the first infant, of 38 weeks gestation, histologic changes were nearly identical to those found in renal tubular dysgenesis (RTD), a recently identified disorder characterized by the absence of recognizable renal proximal tubules. Additional findings include bilateral renal vein thrombosis and marked calvarial bone hypoplasia. The other two gestations were 20 and 22 weeks long. Renal histology in these cases showed nonspecific abnormalities with focal tubular dilatation, decreased tubule formation, and increased interstitial connective tissue. Clearly recognizable proximal tubules were present, though decreased in number. The latter two gestations described herein are the earliest examined in a family with RTD and the renal abnormalities may represent early changes seen in this disorder.     

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Induced by Nitrofen in Mice and Rats: Characteristics as Animal Model and Pathogenetic Relationship between Diaphragmatic Hernia and Lung Hypoplasia

Abstract Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and lung hypoplasia were induced in high frequency and dose-dependently in the offspring from dams, treated orally with 2,4-dichlorophenyl- p -nitrophenyl ether (nitrofen) during pregnancy in CD-I mice and CD rats. Both in mice and rats, CDH found in the fetal and neonatal periods was a posterolateral type of diaphragmatic hernia (DH) showing a distinct side-preponderance: the left-side preponderance in mice and right-side preponderance in rats. CDH in the offspring, surviving after weaning, was mostly of retrosternal type in mice and of pericardial type in rats. CDH induced experimentally in the present study can be regarded as an excellent animal model for human CDH in terms of both anatomical features and the time of appearance of different types of CDH as well as clinical symptoms.
Lung hypoplasia was observed in the offspring with and without CDH; though its severity was greater in those with CDH. The offspring with severe lung hypoplasia died of respiratory insufficiency during the neonatal period, regardless of the presence or absence of CDH. These findings suggest that lung hypoplasia is not a consequence of CDH, but that a common pathogenetic process in the early embryonic stage might involve both lung hypoplasia and CDH.     

Unusual Pathologic Findings in A Girl with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, Del (4p)

A newborn girl with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome and 46, XX, del (4) (p15) de novo karyotype is described. Unusual pathologic and histologic findings were observed at autopsy in the cardiovascular, respiratory, alimentary, and urogenital systems. Of over 100 cases reported in the literature, only 18 include pathologic findings.     

Two siblings with cleidocranial dysplasia associated with atresia ani and psoriasis-like lesions: A new syndrome?

A cleidocranial dysplasia syndrome associated with atresia ani, urogenital anomalies, and psoriasis-like skin lesions is reported in two siblings (1 boy, 1 girl) in a family of Japanese descent. There is no family history of cleidocranial dysplasia syndrome and/or psoriasis. Consanguinity is denied.     

Short Rib-Polydactyly Syndrome Type II (Majewski Syndrome): A Case Report

The Majewski type of Short Rib-Polydactyly syndrome is a rare lethal dwarfism syndrome that has recently been recognized as a distinct entity. The full range of associated anomalies remains to be described. This case report details the clinical and autopsy findings in this condition and reviews the differential diagnosis of polydactylous dwarfing syndromes.     

A Case Report of Lethal Multiple Pterygium Syndrome

We report a patient with a lethal multiple pterygium syndrome. The patient was the first child born to a 28-year old mother. The family history was unremarkable; no consanguinity was reported. The patient was the product of a 37-week gestation by cesarian section, and admitted to our intensive care unit after resuscitation. He weighed 2,158 g, and measured 33cm (CHL). The patient had hydrops, cystic hygroma on the back of the neck, hypertelorism, a flat upturned nose, a highly arched cleft palate, micrognathia, low set ears and multiple pterygia. In addition, the finger showed slender and hypoplastic ridges and creases. The feet showed rocker-bottom deformities. Furthermore, the genitalia was normally formed male with bilateral cryptorchism. The spine showed scoliosis and lordosis with vertebral bony fusions, separations and reduced intervertebral spaces. The ribs were 11 pairs and gracile. The lung was hypoplastic, and the heart was small but normal in structure. Chromosomal examination revealed a normal male karyotype (46, XY). The infant died within two hours after birth.
Gillin and Pryse-Davis (1976) described three female siblings with this early lethal disorder. This disorder was separated from other conditions associated with pterygia by Hall et al. (1982). At least 30 cases have been reported. However, this type of case seems to have not been reported in Japan. This disorder is considered autosomal-recessive, but in other report, X-linked recessive inheritance is proposed. Therefore, further studies are necessary in order to make a more precise etiology of this disorder.     

Cartilage hair hypoplasia in infancy: A misleading chondrodysplasia

Among children with recessive metaphyseal dysplasia, cartilage hair hypoplasia, as described by McKusick is often recognized only during the 2nd year or later. The early radiological changes observed in six children with cartilage hair hypoplasia demonstrate the misleading aspect of this chondrodysplasia: micromelia, massive appearance of the long bones and round inferior femoral epiphyses, without distinct metaphyseal involvement. Early diagnosis permits the organisation of clinical, immunological and orthopaedic follow up and allows for correct genetic counselling.     

Mental retardation,hypotonia, obesity,ocular, facial,dental, and limb abnormalities (Cohen Syndrome)

Three patients with features of the Cohen Syndrome are reported. Main facial features are prominent nasal bridge, short philtrum, prominent upper central incisors, and retrogenia. There is microcephaly and short stature. Truncal obesity appears in mid childhood. Mental retardation seems to be severe. There is marked variability among the as yet reported cases. The best diagnostic criteria seem to be the typical face and mental retardation. As yet 3 affected sibs, offspring of healthy, non consanguineous parents are reported, as well as 8 sporadic cases. The condition seems inherited as auto-somal recessive. The variability of this condition is discussed.     

Segmentation anomalies of vertebrae and ribs with other abnormalities of blastogenesis: syndromes or associations?

On the basis of two recently studied human fetuses and the historical records and remnant 19th century skeletons in the Museum Vrolik in Amsterdam, we have begun an analysis of an unusual form of somite dysgenesis. This disorder includes vertebral and costal segmentation defects with or without (distal) limb malformation and deformities, anogenital anomalies, unusual colonic atresia, abdominal wall and diaphragmatic defect, Central nervous system abnormality with large head, and severe neurohypotrophic lower limb deformities. This study suggests the existence of an axial vertebral/costal dysgenesis complex with apparently or nearly normal number of cervical vertebrae. There also is some overlap with lumbosacral agenesis but different from the autosomal recessive entities Jarcho-Levin syndrome or spondylocostal dysostosis. To date, no associated heart defects have been noted.     

Cryptophthalmia Syndrome with Laryngeal Atresia and Bilateral Renal Agenesis: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature

Abstract An autopsy case of the unilateral cryptophthalmia syndrome was presented, showing the lack of the eyelids formation on the right and the facial skin being continuous over the right eye. Potter's face, partial cutaneous syndactyly, clitorial hypertrophy, bilateral renal agenesis and absence of uterus were associated, and further laryngeal atresia was noted, leaving a small posterior opening and allowing a survival of only 10 min at birth. Histologic analysis of the right eye revealed that the cyst in the anterior segment was formed by the destruction of the lens itself. The pathogenesis of cryptophthalmia and laryngeal atresia was discussed.