Physical exercise in cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome (CFCS): A case study

Cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome was described in 1986 by Reynolds.1 CFC syndrome is a multiple congenital anomaly disorder that belongs to the family of RASopathy syndromes, which also includes Noonan and Costello syndromes. Mutations of the BRAF, MEK1 and MEK2 genes cause the CFC syndrome.2,3 Some clinical features of Noonan syndrome and Costello syndrome may coincide with CFCS syndrome, but CFCS has distinctive characteristics (Table 1). Some of the most common features in CFCS include dysmorphic craniofacial features, congenital heart disease, dermatological abnormalities, failure to thrive, gastrointestinal dysfunction and a wide spectrum (both in severity and type) of neurological abnormalities (neurocognitive impairment, executive dysfunction, hypotonia, coordination impairment and/or seizures). In consequence, children and adults with CFCS require multidisciplinary care from specialists and the need for comprehensive management. (AU)

Genetics of sudden cardiac death in children and young athletes.

Sudden cardiac death is a rare but socially devastating event. The most common causes of sudden cardiac death are congenital electrical disorders and structural heart diseases. The majority of these diseases have an incomplete penetrance and variable expression; therefore, patients may be unaware of their illness. In several cases, physical activity can be the trigger for sudden cardiac death as first symptom. Our purpose is to review the causes of sudden cardiac death in sportive children and young adults and its genetic background. Symptomatic individuals often receive an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, the preventive treatment for sudden cardiac death in most of cases due to channelopathies, which can become a challenging option in young and active patients. The identification of one of these diseases in asymptomatic patients has similarly a great impact on their everyday life, especially on their ability to undertake competitive physical activities, and the requirement of prophylactic treatment. We review main causes of sudden cardiac death in relation to its genetics and diagnostic work-up