Prevalence pattern, phenotypic manifestation, and descriptive genetics of congenital limb deficiencies in Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Congenital limb deficiency (CLD) is a group of very rare disorders characterized by substantial hypoplasia or the complete absence of 1 or more bones of limbs. Congenital limb deficiency has a significant physical, clinical, and psychological burden on the affected individuals and their families. This cross-sectional study aimed to describe the prevalence pattern, phenotypic manifestations, and biodemographic factors associated with CLD in a cohort assembled from the Pakistani population from the Northwestern region. METHODS: Through a prospective cross-sectional study, 141 individuals having 166 limbs with CLD were recruited during 2017-2021. RESULTS: There were 77 (55%) individuals with transverse defects, 61 (43%) with longitudinal defects, and 3 (2%) with Intercalary defects. Among the patients with transverse defects, 52 had terminal amputations and 25 had symbrachydactyly. Among the longitudinal defects, thumb aplasia/hypoplasia was the most common presentation (20 patients), followed by oligodactyly (18), and radial hemimelia (18). Eighty six percent had upper-limb deficiencies, 83% had unilateral deficiencies, and 92% were sporadic in nature. The parental consanguinity was observed in 33% individuals, and 79% cases had an isolated presentation which may be indicative of the substantial role of nongenetic factors in the etiology of CLD. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates marked heterogeneity in CLD subtypes in the involvement of limbs and associated variables. There is a need to establish a national registry for CLD, molecular genetic diagnosis, and multidisciplinary medical and social rehabilitation services for these individuals.

First trimester sonographic diagnosis of limb-body wall defect associating both cephalic and thoraco-abdominal defects - a case report and literature update.

We present the first trimester prenatal ultrasonography and pathological assessment of a case diagnosed with limb-body wall complex (LBWC) presenting both exenchephaly and a complex thoraco-abdominal wall defect. Ectopia cordis is demonstrated with a movie showing the heart beating outside the body of the fetus after its expulsion. Also, we discuss the pathogenesis and possible etiology of LBWC and associated malformations and we provide an update of the literature of this very rare anomaly.

Molecular Bases of Human Malformation Syndromes Involving the SHH Pathway: GLIA/R Balance and Cardinal Phenotypes.

Human hereditary malformation syndromes are caused by mutations in the genes of the signal transduction molecules involved in fetal development. Among them, the Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway is the most important, and many syndromes result from its disruption. In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms and role in embryonic morphogenesis of the SHH pathway, then classify the phenotype of each malformation syndrome associated with mutations of major molecules in the pathway. The output of the SHH pathway is shown as GLI activity, which is generated by SHH in a concentration-dependent manner, i.e., the sum of activating form of GLI (GLIA) and repressive form of GLI (GLIR). Which gene is mutated and whether the mutation is loss-of-function or gain-of-function determine in which concentration range of SHH the imbalance occurs. In human malformation syndromes, too much or too little GLI activity produces symmetric phenotypes affecting brain size, craniofacial (midface) dysmorphism, and orientation of polydactyly with respect to the axis of the limb. The symptoms of each syndrome can be explained by the GLIA/R balance model.

Developmental malformations resulting from high-dose maternal tamoxifen exposure in the mouse.

Tamoxifen is an estrogen receptor (ER) ligand with widespread use in clinical and basic research settings. Beyond its application in treating ER-positive cancer, tamoxifen has been co-opted into a powerful approach for temporal-specific genetic alteration. The use of tamoxifen-inducible Cre-recombinase mouse models to examine genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms of development and disease is now prevalent in biomedical research. Understanding off-target effects of tamoxifen will inform its use in both clinical and basic research applications. Here, we show that prenatal tamoxifen exposure can cause structural birth defects in the mouse. Administration of a single 200 mg/kg tamoxifen dose to pregnant wildtype C57BL/6J mice at gestational day 9.75 caused cleft palate and limb malformations in the fetuses, including posterior digit duplication, reduction, or fusion. These malformations were highly penetrant and consistent across independent chemical manufacturers. As opposed to 200 mg/kg, a single dose of 50 mg/kg tamoxifen at the same developmental stage did not result in overt structural malformations. Demonstrating that prenatal tamoxifen exposure at a specific time point causes dose-dependent developmental abnormalities, these findings argue for more considerate application of tamoxifen in Cre-inducible systems and further investigation of tamoxifen's mechanisms of action.

Risk Factors and Prevalence of Limb Deficiencies Associated With Amniotic Band Sequence: A Population-based Case-control Study.

BACKGROUND: Limb deficiencies associated with amniotic bands comprise a wide range of congenital anomalies. The association of maternal medication and the risk of amniotic band sequence (ABS) has not yet been addressed. METHODS: This nationwide population-based case-control study used national registers on congenital anomalies, births and induced abortions, cross-linked with information on maternal prescription medicine use obtained from the registers on Reimbursed Drug Purchases and Medical Special Reimbursements. All cases with congenital limb deficiency associated with amniotic bands born between 1996 and 2008 were included in the study. Five controls without limb deficiency matched for residency and time of conception were randomly selected from the Medical Birth Register. RESULTS: In total, 106 children with limb deficiency associated with ABS were identified and compared with 530 matched controls. Young maternal age (less than 25 y) increased the risk of limb deficiencies [odds ratio=1.72; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06, 2.80]. Primiparity was also associated with increased risk [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.42; 95% CI: 1.52, 3.88]. After adjusting for maternal age, pregestational diabetes, and parity, maternal use of beta-blockers (adjusted OR=24.2; 95% CI: 2.57, 228) and progestogens (adjusted OR=3.79; 95% CI: 1.38, 10.4) during the first trimester of pregnancy significantly increased the risk of limb deficiencies associated with amniotic bands. CONCLUSIONS: Primiparity significantly increased the risk of limb defects associated with amniotic bands. Also, a novel association on increased risk of ABS with maternal use of progestogens or beta-blockers during the first trimester of pregnancy was observed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Maternal risk associated with the VACTERL association: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The VACTERL association (VACTERL) includes at least three of these congenital anomalies: vertebral, anal, cardiac, trachea-esophageal, renal, and limb anomalies. Assisted reproductive techniques (ART), pregestational diabetes mellitus, and chronic lower obstructive pulmonary disorders (CLOPD) have been associated with VACTERL. We aimed to replicate these findings and were interested in additional maternal risk factors. METHODS: A case-control study using self-administered questionnaires was performed including 142 VACTERL cases and 2,135 population-based healthy controls. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate confounder adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). RESULTS: Parents who used invasive ART had an increased risk of VACTERL in offspring (aOR 4.4 [95%CI 2.1-8.8]), whereas the increased risk for mothers with CLOPD could not be replicated. None of the case mothers had pregestational diabetes mellitus. Primiparity (1.5 [1.1-2.1]) and maternal pregestational overweight and obesity (1.8 [1.2-2.8] and 1.8 [1.0-3.4]) were associated with VACTERL. Consistent folic acid supplement use during the advised periconceptional period may reduce the risk of VACTERL (0.5 [0.3-1.0]). Maternal smoking resulted in an almost twofold increased risk of VACTERL. CONCLUSION: We identified invasive ART, primiparity, pregestational overweight and obesity, lack of folic acid supplement use, and smoking as risk factors for VACTERL.

Prenatal delineation of a distinct lethal fetal syndrome caused by a homozygous truncating KIDINS220 variant.

Kinase D-interacting substrate of 220 kDa (KIDINS220) is a transmembrane protein playing integral role in growth mediating pathways in the nervous and cardiovascular systems. KIDINS220 heterozygous truncating variants that affect the protein's C-terminus have been associated with a phenotype, so far described only in few unrelated children, including spastic paraplegia, intellectual disability, nystagmus, and obesity. More recently, a homozygous, more N-terminal truncating variant in KIDINS220 gene was suggested to be associated with enlarged cerebral ventricles and limb contractures in three fetuses from a consanguineous family. We confirm the latter finding by presenting the first detailed prenatal identification of a fetal phenotype associated with novel homozygous deleterious frameshift variant in KIDINS220 gene in a consanguineous healthy Egyptian couple. History of unexplained seven miscarriages and a similar stillbirth were recorded. Prenatal ultrasonography revealed limb contractions and ventriculomegaly; in addition to previously unreported cerebellar anomalies, cardiac anomalies and hydrops fetalis. These findings represent an expansion of clinical and molecular spectrum associated with KIDINS220 variants and broaden our understanding of genotype-phenotype relationships in lethal congenital contractures syndromes and associated severe abnormal embryological development. More generally, our study adds KIDINS220 to the rare group of genes which may cause disease by either of two distinct mutational mechanisms.

Etiological diagnosis in limb reduction defects and the number of affected limbs: A population-based study in the Northern Netherlands.

Limb reduction defects (LRDs) that affect multiple limbs are considered to be more often heritable, but only few studies have substantiated this. We aimed to investigate if an etiological diagnosis (genetic disorder or clinically recognizable disorder) is more likely to be made when multiple limbs are affected compared to when only one limb is affected. We used data from EUROCAT Northern Netherlands and included 391 fetuses and children with LRDs born in 1981-2017. Cases were classified as having a transverse, longitudinal (preaxial/postaxial/central/mixed), intercalary, or complex LRD of one or more limbs and as having an isolated LRD or multiple congenital anomalies (MCA). We calculated the probability of obtaining an etiological diagnosis in cases with multiple affected limbs versus one affected limb using relative risk (RR) scores and Fisher's exact test. We showed that an etiological diagnosis was made three times more often when an LRD occurred in multiple limbs compared to when it occurred in one limb (RR 2.9, 95% CI 2.2-3.8, p < 0.001). No genetic disorders were found in isolated cases with only one affected limb, whereas a genetic disorder was identified in 16% of MCA cases with one affected limb. A clinically recognizable disorder was found in 47% of MCA cases with one affected limb. Genetic counseling rates were similar. We conclude that reduction defects of multiple limbs are indeed more often heritable. Genetic testing seems less useful in isolated cases with one affected limb, but is warranted in MCA cases with one affected limb.

Maternal risk factors for the VACTERL association: A EUROCAT case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The VACTERL association (VACTERL) is the nonrandom occurrence of at least three of these congenital anomalies: vertebral, anal, cardiac, tracheoesophageal, renal, and limb anomalies. Despite suggestions for involvement of several genes and nongenetic risk factors from small studies, the etiology of VACTERL remains largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: To identify maternal risk factors for VACTERL in offspring in a large European study. METHODS: A case-control study was performed using data from 28 EUROCAT registries over the period 1997-2015 with case and control ascertainment through hospital records, birth and death certificates, questionnaires, and/or postmortem examinations. Cases were diagnosed with VACTERL, while controls had a genetic syndrome and/or chromosomal abnormality. Data collected included type of birth defect and maternal characteristics, such as age, use of assisted reproductive techniques (ART), and chronic illnesses. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate confounder adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: The study population consisted of 329 VACTERL cases and 49,724 controls with recognized syndromes or chromosomal abnormality. For couples who conceived through ART, we found an increased risk of VACTERL (aOR 2.3 [95% CI 1.3, 3.9]) in offspring. Pregestational diabetes (aOR 3.1 [95% CI 1.1, 8.6]) and chronic lower obstructive pulmonary diseases (aOR 3.9 [95% CI 2.2, 6.7]) also increased the risk of having a child with VACTERL. Twin pregnancies were not associated with VACTERL (aOR 0.6 [95% CI 0.3, 1.4]). CONCLUSION: We identified several maternal risk factors for VACTERL in offspring befitting a multifactorial etiology.

Expanding the phenotype in Adams-Oliver syndrome correlating with the genotype.

RATIONALE: Adams-Oliver syndrome (AOS) is a genetic disorder characterized by the association of aplasia cutis congenita (ACC), terminal transverse limb defect (TTLD), congenital cardiac malformation (CCM), and minor features, such as cutaneous, neurological, and hepatic abnormalities (HAs). The aim of the study is to emphasize phenotype-genotype correlations in AOS. METHODS: We studied 29 AOS patients. We recorded retrospectively detailed phenotype data, including clinical examination, biological analyses, and imaging. The molecular analysis was performed through whole exome sequencing (WES). RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients (100%) presented with ACC, the principal inclusion criteria in the study. Seventeen of twenty-one (81%) had cutis marmorata telangiectasia congenita, 16/26 (62%) had TTLD, 14/23 (61%) had CCM, 7/20 (35%) had HAs, and 9/27 (33%) had neurological findings. WES was performed in 25 patients. Fourteen of twenty-five (56%) had alterations in the genes already described in AOS. CCM and HAs are particularly associated with the NOTCH1 genotype. TTLD is present in patients with DOCK6 and EOGT alterations. Neurological findings of variable degree were associated sometimes with DOCK6 and NOTCH1 rarely with EOGT. CONCLUSION: AOS is characterized by a clinical and molecular variability. It appears that degrees of genotype-phenotype correlations exist for patients with identified pathogenic mutations, underlining the need to undertake a systematic but adjusted multidisciplinary assessment.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta: A Pediatric Orthopedic Perspective.

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous disorder related to a defect or deficiency in the production of type I collagen. It is characterized by brittle bones, fractures, spine and extremity deformity, and a host of extraskeletal manifestations. Type I collagen is present in bone, tendons, ligaments, skin, dentin, and the sclera of the eye and other connective tissues. Osteogenesis imperfecta includes a multitude of disease manifestations that may be present at birth or develop over time and vary depending on the severity of the disease. This article describes the disease presentation and management considerations from a pediatric orthopedic perspective.

Neonatal factors predictive for respiratory and gastro-intestinal morbidity after esophageal atresia repair.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal atresia is a major congenital foregut anomaly. Affected patients often suffer from respiratory and gastro-intestinal morbidity. The objective of this study is to identify possible neonatal predictive factors contributing to a long-term complicated clinical course in patients after repair of esophageal atresia. METHODS: A total of 93 patients born between 1993 and 2013, with esophageal atresia and surviving the neonatal period were included in this retrospective study. A complicated clinical course was defined as the occurrence of ≥1 of these complications: severe gastro-esophageal reflux, esophageal stricture requiring dilatations, need for tube feeding for >100 days, severe tracheomalacia, severe chronic respiratory disease and death. We used linear models with a binomial distribution to determine risk factors for gastro-intestinal or respiratory complicated evolution and a backward stepwise elimination procedure to reduce models until only significant variables remained in the model. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess risk factors for different evolutions of complication. Model parameter estimates were used to calculate odds ratios for significant risk factors. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients (61%) had a complicated clinical course in the first year of life and 47 (51%) had a complicated evolution during years 1-6. In the first year, prematurity was a significant factor for complicated gastro-intestinal (OR 2.84) and respiratory evolution (OR 2.93). After 1 year, gastro-intestinal morbidity in childhood was associated with VACTERL association (OR 12.2) and a complicated first year (OR 36.1). Respiratory morbidity was associated with congenital heart disease (OR 12.9) and a complicated first year (OR 86.9). Multinomial logistic regression showed that prematurity (p = 0.018) and VACTERL association (p = 0.003) were significant factors of complications. CONCLUSION: Prematurity is an important predictive factor for a complicated clinical course in early life. A complicated first year often predicts a complicated clinical course in childhood. These risk factors may be helpful in counseling of parents in the neonatal period.

The etiology of VACTERL association: Current knowledge and hypotheses.

VACTERL association is a condition involving the presence of multiple congenital anomalies. The condition was first described more than four decades ago, and is not extremely rare. However, relatively little is understood about the causes and underlying biology of the condition as a whole. There are many reasons for this, but there is increasing recognition that VACTERL is extremely clinically as well as etiologically heterogeneous, and this heterogeneity--as well as other hypothesized factors--have caused challenges to identifying the causes for a substantial proportion of patients. Current knowledge about the causes of this condition (or group of conditions) are described, followed by a discussion of possibilities that may reveal more answers for patients as well as researchers and clinicians who work related to this disorder.

Congenital anal atresia with rectovestibular fistula, scoliosis, unilateral renal agenesis, and finger defect (VACTERL association) in a patient with partial bicornuate uterus and distal vaginal atresia: A case report.

RATIONALE: Vertebral defect, anal atresia, cardiac defect, tracheoesophageal fistula/esophageal atresia, renal defect, and limb defect (VACTERL) association and Müllerian duct anomalies are rare conditions. We present a rare condition with the co-occurrence of the VACTERL association and Müllerian duct hypoplasia to characterize patients' clinical presentations, outcomes, and treatment. PATIENT CONCERNS: An 11-year-old girl presented to our hospital with severe lower abdominal pain, lower vaginal atresia with enlargement of the upper vagina and a bicornuate uterus with a Y-shaped uterine cavity filled with hematometra on pelvic magnetic resonance imaging. Her medical history included congenital anal atresia with a rectovestibular fistula, congenital right renal deficiency, congenital right thumb malformation, and scoliosis. DIAGNOSES: 1. Congenital genital tract malformations, a partial bicornuate uterus, and distal vaginal atresia (U3aC0V4); 2. VACTERL association (congenital anal atresia with rectovestibular fistula, scoliosis with hemi vertebra and butterfly vertebra, unilateral renal agenesis, and finger defect). INTERVENTIONS: Colpotomy, laparoscopic exploration, pelvic adhesiolysis, and hysteroscopy were performed. OUTCOMES: Two months after surgery, a pelvic examination showed an unobstructed vagina which was 10 cm long and 2 fingers wide, without adhesion or constriction. LESSONS: Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion when evaluating patients with genital malformations associated with VACTERL. Early diagnosis of distal vaginal atresia with appropriate surgical intervention decreases long-term morbidity.

Prenatal limb defects: Epidemiologic characteristics and an epidemiologic analysis of risk factors.

To analyze prenatal ultrasound data for fetal limb deformities in high-risk pregnant women and the risk factors for prenatal limb defects in high-risk pregnant women.This was a retrospective study of high-risk pregnant women at the multidisciplinary consultation center from January 2006 to December 2015. When deformities were definitively diagnosed in the first trimester by ultrasound, patients were recommended to undergo an abortion, and fetal abnormalities were confirmed by pathological examination (both gross anatomic examinations and fetal chromosome and genetic tests). The risk factors for fetal limb deformities and other congenital malformations were analyzed by multifactor analysis.Of the 4088 fetuses recorded, 144 (3.52%) were diagnosed with limb abnormalities. The abnormalities included 70 (48.61%) clubfoot/clubhand cases, with 5 polydactyly, 5 syndactyly, 4 flexion toe, 4 split hand/foot malformation, 3 overlapping fingers, and 49 congenital talipes equinovarus. A total of 6 (4.17%) and 13 (9.02%) fetuses had phocomelia and imperfect osteogenesis, respectively; 22 (15.28%) cases showed achondrogenesis; 19 (13.19%) and 12 (8.33%) had partial limb deletion absence and joint movement malfunction, respectively.In the high-risk population with limb deformities (144 patients), 19 (13.19%) were ≥35 years old, 6 (4.17%) had family history of congenital malformations, 14 (9.72%) had abnormal reproductive history, 21 (14.6%) had harmful chemical exposure, 6 (4.2%) had early TORCH infections, 16 (11.1%) had gestational diabetes, 9 (6.3%) had hypertension, 3 (2.1%) took glucocorticoid, 9 (6.3%) took sedatives.In the high-risk population with other congenital malformations except limb deformities (3766 patients), 144 pregnant women were randomly selected. In the high-risk population with other congenital malformations (144 patients), 9 (6.25%) were ≥35 years old, 7 (4.86%) had family history of congenital malformations, 10 (6.94%) had abnormal reproductive history, 22 (15.28%) had harmful chemical exposure, 5 (3.47%) had early TORCH infections, 12 (8.33%) had gestational diabetes, 11 (7.64%) had hypertension, 4 (2.78%) took glucocorticoid, 11 (7.64%) took sedatives.Ultrasound can provide adequate evidence for fetal limb deformities evaluation in most patients. Fetal limb deformity cases showed a significantly higher rate than other congenital malformations for advanced maternal age (≥35 years old).

Hipoplasia dérmica focal (síndrome de Goltz) / Focal dermal hypoplasia (Goltz syndrome)

Resumen: Introducción: La hipoplasia dérmica focal o síndrome de Goltz es una rara genodermatosis de herencia dominante ligada al X, que afecta al tejido proveniente de las placas del ectodermo y del mesodermo. El cuadro clínico se caracteriza por alteraciones cutáneas, oftálmicas, neurológicas, dentales, ungueales, bucales, de tejidos blandos y esqueléticas. El diagnóstico se realiza por los hallazgos clínicos en un individuo con alteraciones ectodérmicas y malformaciones características en las extremidades. El manejo es multidisciplinario y, al igual que el pronóstico, depende de las alteraciones específicas que presente cada paciente. Caso clínico: Se presenta el caso de un recién nacido de sexo femenino, de 15 días de vida, con zonas de alopecia en piel cabelluda, herniación de tejido celular subcutáneo en varias áreas de todos los segmentos corporales, escotadura en ala nasal, hendidura en encía superior, defecto grave de extremidad superior izquierda con rizomelia (acortamiento de segmento proximal) y aplasia de radio, así como ectrodactilia de miembro pélvico derecho. Todos los hallazgos son compatibles con hipoplasia dérmica focal de acuerdo con los criterios diagnósticos. Conclusiones: Se presenta el caso de una paciente recién nacida con síndrome de Goltz.

Abstract: Background: Focal dermal hypoplasia or Goltz syndrome is a rare X-linked dominant inherited genodermatosis, affecting both the ectodermal and mesodermal tissue. Clinical manifestations include skin abnormalities, defects in eyes, teeth, nails, mouth, soft tissues and skeleton. The diagnosis is based on clinical findings and is suspected in individuals with ectodermal abnormalities and characteristic malformations in the extremities. The management is multidisciplinary and, like the prognosis, depends on the specific alterations that each patient presents. Case report: We report the case of a 15-day-old female newborn with alopecic areas on the scalp, herniation of subcutaneous cellular tissue at the lumbar level, nasal wing notch, severe left superior limb defect with rhizomelia (proximal segment shortening) and radio aplasia, as well as right leg ectrodactyly, areas of atrophy compatible with focal dermal hypoplasia according to diagnostic criteria. Conclusions: We present a case of female newborn patient with Goltz syndrome.

[Focal dermal hypoplasia (Goltz syndrome)]. / Hipoplasia dérmica focal (síndrome de Goltz).

Background: Focal dermal hypoplasia or Goltz syndrome is a rare X-linked dominant inherited genodermatosis, affecting both the ectodermal and mesodermal tissue. Clinical manifestations include skin abnormalities, defects in eyes, teeth, nails, mouth, soft tissues and skeleton. The diagnosis is based on clinical findings and is suspected in individuals with ectodermal abnormalities and characteristic malformations in the extremities. The management is multidisciplinary and, like the prognosis, depends on the specific alterations that each patient presents. Case report: We report the case of a 15-day-old female newborn with alopecic areas on the scalp, herniation of subcutaneous cellular tissue at the lumbar level, nasal wing notch, severe left superior limb defect with rhizomelia (proximal segment shortening) and radio aplasia, as well as right leg ectrodactyly, areas of atrophy compatible with focal dermal hypoplasia according to diagnostic criteria. Conclusions: We present a case of female newborn patient with Goltz syndrome.

Introducción: La hipoplasia dérmica focal o síndrome de Goltz es una rara genodermatosis de herencia dominante ligada al X, que afecta al tejido proveniente de las placas del ectodermo y del mesodermo. El cuadro clínico se caracteriza por alteraciones cutáneas, oftálmicas, neurológicas, dentales, ungueales, bucales, de tejidos blandos y esqueléticas. El diagnóstico se realiza por los hallazgos clínicos en un individuo con alteraciones ectodérmicas y malformaciones características en las extremidades. El manejo es multidisciplinario y, al igual que el pronóstico, depende de las alteraciones específicas que presente cada paciente. Caso clínico: Se presenta el caso de un recién nacido de sexo femenino, de 15 días de vida, con zonas de alopecia en piel cabelluda, herniación de tejido celular subcutáneo en varias áreas de todos los segmentos corporales, escotadura en ala nasal, hendidura en encía superior, defecto grave de extremidad superior izquierda con rizomelia (acortamiento de segmento proximal) y aplasia de radio, así como ectrodactilia de miembro pélvico derecho. Todos los hallazgos son compatibles con hipoplasia dérmica focal de acuerdo con los criterios diagnósticos. Conclusiones: Se presenta el caso de una paciente recién nacida con síndrome de Goltz.

Malformations attributed to the process of vascular disruption.

BACKGROUND: Several malformations have been attributed to the process of vascular disruption. The central hypothesis for this etiology is that blood flow to a structure has been altered after that structure had formed normally. The decreased blood flow leads to hypoxia, endothelial cell damage, hemorrhage, tissue loss, and repair. After recovery, some structures are normal and others show either tissue loss or structural abnormalities, such as syndactyly and constriction rings. METHODS: The phenotypic features of the 7,020 infants with one or more malformations, who were born to women who had always planned to deliver at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) between, 1972 and 2012, that is, maternal nontransfers, were reviewed. The phenotypes associated with vascular disruption, such as the amniotic band syndrome and terminal transverse limb defects (TTLD), were identified. RESULTS: One hundred and five fetuses and infants had malformations attributed to the process of vascular disruption. Some specific causes of the amniotic band limb deformity were identified. TTLD with associated small digit-like nubbins occurred at three levels: proximal forearm, wrist, and metacarpal-phalangeal joint. Other causes included severe hemoglobinopathies and exposures to misoprostol and to prenatal procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Malformations attributed to the process of vascular disruption were a distinctive entity, among the recognized etiologies. The timing of the causative event in the first trimester was established for infants with exposures to either the prostaglandin misoprostol or the prenatal diagnosis procedure chorionic villus sampling. One challenge is to identify the developmental steps in vascular disruption when no causative exposure can be identified.

Ectrodactyly in a Chinese patient born to a mother with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

NMOSD develops primarily in women of childbearing age, and several previous studies have shown that the disorder may increase the risk of miscarriage. However, there are no reports, to our knowledge, of fetal malformation, other than neonatal hydrocephalus, related to NMOSD. We report a 30-year-old woman who experienced recurrent neuritis and who was seropositive for AQP4-IgG. She became pregnant, and the fetus was found to have ectrodactyly. Histological analysis of the placenta showed moderate inflammatory infiltration; however, whether fetal malformation in NMOSD is related to inflammation and AQP4-IgG remains to be determined.