Computer-aided Facial Analysis in Diagnosing Dysmorphic Syndromes in Indian Children

Objective: To assess the utility of computer-aided facial analysis in identifying dysmorphicsyndromes in Indian children. Methods: Fifty-one patients with a definite molecular orcytogenetic diagnosis and recognizable facial dysmorphism were enrolled in the study andtheir facial photographs were uploaded in the Face2Gene software. The results provided bythe software were compared with the molecular diagnosis. Results: Of the 51 patients, thesoftware predicted the correct diagnosis in 37 patients (72.5%); predicted as the first in thetop ten suggestions in 26 (70.2%). In 14 patients, the software did not suggest a correctdiagnosis. Conclusions: Computer-aided facial analysis is a method that can aid indiagnosis of genetic syndromes in Indian children. As more clinicians start to use thissoftware, its accuracy is expected to improve.

Metatropic Dysplasia with a Novel Mutation in TRPV4.

Back ground: Metatropic dysplasia is a skeletal dysplasia characterized by rhizomelia, severe kyphoscoliosis and a coccygeal tail. Case characteristics: A 12 day-old male neonate had facial dysmorphism, short limbs and coccygeal tail and showed radiological features of metatropic dysplasia. Observation: A novel heterozygous variant was observed in TRPV4 gene. Message: We report a novel mutation in an Indian neonate with metatropic dysplasia.

Hunter Syndrome in Northern India: Clinical features and Mutation Spectrum.

Objective: To study the clinical profile and mutation spectrum of Hunter syndrome. Methods: Evaluation of 18 cases of Hunter syndrome from 17 families was done. Mutation analysis of Iduronate sulfatase (IDS) gene was done in 9 families, and mothers of four affected children with no family history. Results: Joint contracture, hepatomegaly and radiological changes were present in all children. 6 (33%) children had normal cognitive function at presentation. Point mutations were identified in all the 9 families for whom mutation analysis was done. Among 4 mothers tested from families without any family history, 2 (50%) were found to be carriers. Conclusion: Accurate etiological diagnosis by mutation analysis of IDS gene is important in Hunter syndrome.