Carpenter syndrome in a patient from Tanzania.

Carpenter syndrome (acrocephalopolysyndactyly type II) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. It was clinically diagnosed in a female baby with polysyndactyly and craniosynostosis in a referral clinic in Northern Tanzania. In the RAB23 gene, a previously described homozygous variant c.82C>T p.(Arg28*) was detected that results in a premature stop codon. Both parents were demonstrated to be heterozygous carriers of this variant. Herewith, its pathogenicity is proved. A literature search suggests this is the first molecularly confirmed case of Carpenter syndrome in continental Africa.

Trigonocephaly - Our Experience and Treatment in the Republic of Macedonia.

INTRODUCTION: Prematurely fused metopic suture results in developmental anomaly named trigonocephaly. The treatment of trigonocephaly is a surgical reconstruction, starting from the simple suturectomy toward the complicated cranial vault reconstructions with aim to obtain enough endocranial space for normal development of the brain and aesthetic correction as well. THE AIM: The aim of our paper is to present our experience on this pathology in the Republic of Macedonia, stressing the trigonocephaly as one of the rare forms of craniosynostosis. Our material: During a period of 20 years (from 1996 to 2015) at the Pediatric department of the Clinic for Neurosurgery in Skopje, we observed 18 babies with trigonocephaly, including one with Carpenter syndrome and trigonocephaly, 14 males and 4 females. All children had simple trigonocephaly, one had syndromic trigonocephaly (Carpenter's syndrome). According to Oi and Matsumoto classification done in 19865 severe trigonocephaly is observed in 11 cases and, moderate trigonocephaly in 7 cases. Our method: Our treatment consisted of slightly modified Di Rocco's3 surgical procedure named "shell" operation, adding transposition of the "bone flap". RESULTS: The postoperative period was uneventful except for the expected forehead swelling. The babies were discharged from the hospital on average at the 8th postoperative day. At the three months control after the surgery, the head had excellent aesthetic appearance, with regular psychomotor development according to the age of the patient (Fig 3а and 3b). We had no serious complications except the expected postoperative swelling of the forehead. All operated children had excellent "long term" aesthetic effect and normal psychomotor development. CONCLUSION: The early recognition of these anomalies including all craniosynostoses, the deformities of the newborn and infant's head and the preventive operative reconstruction would prevent abnormal disturbance of the psychomotor development during the child's growth. The multidisciplinary approach can prevent new disabled individuals in the society. Our technique allows shortening the entire surgical procedure, especially in the departments where blood saving devices are not available.

Síndrome confusional agudo postanestesia en el paciente geriátrico de urgencia / Acute confusional postanesthesia in geriatric patient emergency

Introducción: el Síndrome Confusional Agudo o delirio es una enfermedad frecuente, se encuentra entre el 10-15 por ciento de los pacientes médico-quirúrgicos y esta proporción se eleva al 30 por ciento en los pacientes geriátricos. Objetivo: valorar la presencia de Síndrome Confusional Agudo postanestésico o delirio en el geriátrico de urgencia. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, prospectivo en 100 pacientes ancianos atendidos en el servicio de anestesiología del Hospital Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima de Cienfuegos, durante el período enero del 2012 a Junio del 2013. Se identificaron las complicaciones perioperatorias y se aplicó el test de Pfeiffer a los pacientes antes y 1 horas de aplicado el proceder anestésico. Resultados: al aplicar el test de Pfeiffer en los pacientes que recibieron anestesia general se encontró que el mayor número de enfermos presentó deterioro leve en un 42 por ciento, seguido por el deterioro moderado para un 33 por ciento. La anestesia regional mostró mayor número de enfermo sin grado de deterioro. En la distribución de las complicaciones postoperatorias se evidenció que predominó la confusión mental en 30 por ciento de los casos, seguidas de hipotensión, hipertensión y taquicardia en un mayor número de pacientes. Conclusiones: el estado confusional agudo en el paciente atendido por los servicios de urgencia obedece a varios factores en los que el estado previo del enfermo y las diferentes modificaciones a que es sometido el mismo a punto de partida de las exigencias de la intervención quirúrgica son elementos favorecedores de su aparición(AU)

Introduction: The Syndrome Sharp Confusional (SCA) or delirium is a frequent illness, it is among 10-15 percent of the medical patients - surgical, and this proportion rises to 30 percent in the patient geriatrics.Objective: To value the presence of Syndrome Confusional Sharp postanestésico or delirium in the geriatric of urgency. Method: He/she was carried out a descriptive study, prospective in 100 old patients assisted in the service of anesthesiology of the Hospital Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima of Cienfuegos, during the period January of the 2012 to June of the 2013. The complications perioperatorias were identified and the test was applied before from Pfeiffer to the patients and 1 hours of having applied proceeding anesthetic. Results: When applying the test of Pfeiffer in the patients that received general anesthesia it was found that the biggest number of sick persons presented light deterioration in 42 percent, continued by the moderate deterioration for 33 percent. The regional anesthesia howed bigger number of sick without grade of deterioration. In the distribution of the postoperative complications it was evidenced that the mental confusion prevailed in 30 percent of the cases, followed by hypotension, hypertension and taquicardia in a bigger number of patient. Conclusions: The state sharp confusional in the patient assisted by the services of urgency obeys several factors in those that the sick person's previous state and the different modifications to that it is subjected the same one about to departure of the demands of the surgical intervention is elements favorecedores of its appearance(AU)

Deformational plagiocephaly and craniosynostosis: trends in diagnosis and treatment after the "back to sleep" campaign.

BACKGROUND: In 1992, the American Academy of Pediatrics discouraged prone sleeping positions because of its association with sudden infant death syndrome. After this was an increased incidence of deformational plagiocephaly (DP). METHODS: A retrospective review was completed for patients with DP and craniosynostosis seen by plastic surgeons at a tertiary medical center during a 19-year period. Two groups of patients were evaluated before (1988-1995) and after (1996-2007) implementation of the "Back to Sleep" campaign. RESULTS: Of the 5169 patients, those with craniosynostosis (n = 279) had a mean age at initial evaluation before and after 1996 of 12.4 versus 5.6 months (P = 0.0008). There was a trend of decreasing age at initial evaluation and first surgery after 1996. For patients with DP (n = 4890), the mean age at initial evaluation before and after 1996 was 11.5 versus 6.0 months (P = 0.10). There was a trend of decreasing age at initial evaluation and DP correction after 1996. The majority of patients had right-sided DP (50.2%), followed by left-sided (24.7%) and bilateral (18.9%). There was no significant difference in DP correction rate (67% versus 87%) or the mean age that DP was corrected (12.8 versus 11.8 mo) before and after 1996. Compared with 1996 to 1999, there was a 214% and 390% increase in DP referrals from 2000 to 2003 and 2004 to 2007. For craniosynostosis, there was a 27% and 129% increase in referrals. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing incidence of DP since the Back to Sleep campaign is concerning, but a positive outcome is that patients are being referred and treated at a younger age.

Pfeiffer syndrome: clinical and genetic findings in five Brazilian families

Pfeiffer syndrome (PS) is mainly characterized by craniosysnostosis, midface hypoplasia, great toes with partialsyndactyly of the digits and broad and medially deviated thumbs. It is caused by allelic mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 and 2 (FGFR1 and 2) genes. This study describes the clinical and genetic features of five Brazilian families affected by PS. All patients exhibited the classical phenotypes related to PS. The genetic analysis was able to detect the mutations Cys278Phe, Cys342Arg, and Val359Leu in three of these families. Two mutations were de novo, with one familial. We identified pathogenic mutations in four PS cases in five Brazilian families by PCR sequencing of FGFR1 exon 5 and FGFR2 exons 5, 8, 10, 11, 15, and 16. The clinical and genetic aspects of these families confirm that this syndrome can be clinically variable, with different mutations in theFGFR2 responsible for PS

Intellectual, behavioral, and emotional functioning in children with syndromic craniosynostosis.

OBJECTIVES: To examine intellectual, behavioral, and emotional functioning of children who have syndromic craniosynostosis and to explore differences between diagnostic subgroups. METHODS: A national sample of children who have syndromic craniosynostosis participated in this study. Intellectual, behavioral, and emotional outcomes were assessed by using standardized measures: Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Third Edition, Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)/6-18, Disruptive Behavior Disorder rating scale (DBD), and the National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children. RESULTS: We included 82 children (39 boys) aged 6 to 13 years who have syndromic craniosynostosis. Mean Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ) was in the normal range (M = 96.6; SD = 21.6). However, children who have syndromic craniosynostosis had a 1.9 times higher risk for developing intellectual disability (FSIQ < 85) compared with the normative population (P < .001) and had more behavioral and emotional problems compared with the normative population, including higher scores on the CBCL/6-18, DBD Total Problems (P < .001), Internalizing (P < .01), social problems (P < .001), attention problems (P < .001), and the DBD Inattention (P < .001). Children who have Apert syndrome had lower FSIQs (M = 76.7; SD = 13.3) and children who have Muenke syndrome had more social problems (P < .01), attention problems (P < .05), and inattention problems (P < .01) than normative population and with other diagnostic subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Although children who have syndromic craniosynostosis have FSIQs similar to the normative population, they are at increased risk for developing intellectual disability, internalizing, social, and attention problems. Higher levels of behavioral and emotional problems were related to lower levels of intellectual functioning.

Clinical expression in Pfeiffer syndrome type 2 and 3: surveillance in Japan.

Pfeiffer syndrome (PS) is a classic type of craniosynostosis syndrome. Severe cases usually require emergency care at birth. However, early diagnosis is often precluded by the rarity and consequent low awareness of this disease. This study aimed to clarify phenotypic expressions useful for the diagnosis of PS. We reviewed all cases of PS type 2 or 3 according to Cohen's classification that were reported between 1980 and 2011 in Japan. Clinical and genetic information were extracted from the patients' medical records. A total of 23 patients with PS type 2 or 3 were identified. All 23 patients presented with craniosynostosis, midface hypoplasia, proptosis, broad thumbs, and wide great toes. FGFR2 mutations were confirmed in all 8 patients in whom genetic analyses were performed. In addition to classic symptoms, elbow ankylosis and sacrococcygeal defects were present in 70% and 30% of the patients, respectively. During an average follow-up of 22 months, 22% of patients died before 1 year of age. Elbow ankylosis and sacrococcygeal defects were the phenotypic features recognizable at a glance. These defects strongly suggest the presence of PS in newborns with craniosynostosis.

Cleft palate in Pfeiffer syndrome.

The frequency of associated cleft palate is known to be high in some fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2)-mediated craniosynostosis syndromes, such as Apert syndrome. However, there is little information on the frequency of palatal clefts in the FGFR2-mediated disorder, that is, Pfeiffer syndrome. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of palatal clefts in patients with Pfeiffer syndrome. The records of patients with Pfeiffer syndrome managed in our craniofacial unit were reviewed. Only patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Pfeiffer syndrome were included. Diagnostic criteria were as follows: characteristic mutations in FGFR1 or FGFR2 or, in the absence of genetic testing, clinical findings consistent with Pfeiffer syndrome as determined by a clinical geneticist or our most experienced surgeon (J.B.M.). Only 2 clefts were noted in 25 patients (8%), including 1 with a submucous cleft and 1 with an overt palatal cleft. Many patients (87%) were described as having a high-arched and narrow palate, and 1 had a low, broad palate. Nine patients were noted to have choanal atresia or stenosis. Clefting of the palate does occur in Pfeiffer syndrome but at a low frequency.

Germline mutation screening of the Saethre-Chotzen-associated genes TWIST1 and FGFR3 in families with BRCA1/2-negative breast cancer.

Saethre-Chotzen syndrome is one of the most common craniosynostosis syndromes. It is an autosomal dominantly inherited disorder with variable expression that is caused by germline mutations in the TWIST1 gene or more rarely in the FGFR2 or FGFR3 genes. We have previously reported that patients with Saethre-Chotzen syndrome have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Here we have analysed a cohort of 26 women with BRCA1/2-negative hereditary breast cancer to study whether a proportion of these families might have mutations in Saethre-Chotzen-associated genes. DNA sequence analysis of TWIST1 showed no pathogenic mutations in the coding sequence in any of the 26 patients. MLPA (multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification)-analysis also showed no alterations in copy numbers in any of the craniofacial disorder genes MSX2, ALX4, RUNX2, EFNB1, TWIST1, FGFR1, FGFR2,FGFR3, or FGFR4. Taken together, our findings indicate that mutations in Saethre-Chotzen-associated genes are uncommon or absent in BRCA1/2-negative patients with hereditary breast cancer.

Varón de 3 años de edad con rasgos dismórficos y craneosinostosis: síndrome de Saethre-Chotzen / A three year old boy with dysmorphic and craniosynostosis traits: Saethre-Chotzen syndrome

Se comunica el caso de un niño con el síndrome de Saethre-Chotzen (acrocefalosindactilia de tipo III), una de las craneosinostosis más frecuentes, y se describe la mutación causal en el gen TWIST (AU)

It is informed of a child with the Saethre-Chotzen syndrome (acrocephalosyndactylia of type III), one of the most frequent craniosynostosis, and it is described as a causal mutation in the TWIST gene (AU)

The frequency of palatal anomalies in Saethre-Chotzen syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome (SCS) is an autosomal dominant disorder with widespread phenotypic variability. Cardinal features include coronal synostosis, blepharoptosis, and limb abnormalities. Cleft palate can also occur, but there are few reports on its frequency. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of palatal anomalies in this population. DESIGN: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 51 patients with SCS seen at Children's Hospital Boston over the past 30 years. Palatal findings in our patients were compared with those in the literature. To illustrate the phenotypic variability in SCS, we describe an unusual infant who presented for evaluation of cleft palate and blepharoptosis. Her father had only blepharoptosis; this was the clue to the diagnosis, which was confirmed by finding a deletion in the TWIST gene. RESULTS: In our patients, high-arched palate was noted in 43%, bifid uvula in 10%, and cleft palate in 6%. These figures differed slightly from the combined percentages in published reports: 24% with high-arched palate, 2% with bifid uvula, and 5% with cleft palate. CONCLUSIONS: Palatal anomalies are relatively common in SCS. This entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a child with cleft palate, particularly in the presence of blepharoptosis, nasal deviation, and limb abnormalities in the patient or in family members.

The ups and downs of mutation frequencies during aging can account for the Apert syndrome paternal age effect.

Apert syndrome is almost always caused by a spontaneous mutation of paternal origin in one of two nucleotides in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 gene (FGFR2). The incidence of this disease increases with the age of the father (paternal age effect), and this increase is greater than what would be expected based on the greater number of germ-line divisions in older men. We use a highly sensitive PCR assay to measure the frequencies of the two causal mutations in the sperm of over 300 normal donors with a wide range of ages. The mutation frequencies increase with the age of the sperm donors, and this increase is consistent with the increase in the incidence rate. In both the sperm data and the birth data, the increase is non-monotonic. Further, after normalizing for age, the two Apert syndrome mutation frequencies are correlated within individual sperm donors. We consider a mathematical model for germ-line mutation which reproduces many of the attributes of the data. This model, with other evidence, suggests that part of the increase in both the sperm data and the birth data is due to selection for mutated premeiotic cells. It is likely that a number of other genetic diseases have similar features.

Análise histológica, histoquímica e imunohistoquímica da mucosa de palato duro em pacientes portadores de síndrome de Apert / Histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis of the hard palate mucosa in patients with Apert syndrome

Avaliou-se a mucosa de palato duro de indivíduos portadores de síndrome de Apert, atendidos no Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais da Universidade de São Paulo. Doze indivíduos foram submetidos à gengivectomia de tecido exuberante da mucosa palatina para colocação de bandas e acessórios ortodônticos. Os tecidos excisados foram submetidos à análise histológica, morfométrica, histoquímica (PAS, Alcian Blue e Picrossírius) e imunohistoquímica, para observação da proliferação celular com a proteína P63 e identificação de colágeno I e III e decorina. A análise histológica evidenciou epitélio hiperplásico, conjuntivo com áreas de fibras colágenas espessas de trajeto mais linear com fibrócitos em seu interior, áreas com menor número de fibras e marcante presença de fibroblastos, diferente da arquitetura do grupo controle. Os resultados da morfometria não mostraram diferença significativa entre a proporcionalidade dos componentes do tecido conjuntivo nos indivíduos com síndrome de Apert e de indivíduos do grupo controle. Os aspectos histoquímicos evidenciaram que os indivíduos com a síndrome apresentaram maior acúmulo de glicosaminoglicanas em relação ao grupo controle. A coloração de picrossírius, analisada por microscópio confocal e pelo sistema de análise de imagem Image-Pro-Plus evidenciou a presença de fibras colágenas mais espessas nos indivíduos portadores de síndrome de Apert, mas não mostrou diferença significativa entre os dois grupos. A correlação da área ocupada pelas fibras colágenas com a idade dos indivíduos não foi significativa. Os resultados da imunohistoquímica confirmaram a presença de colágeno I e III no tecido Apert, sem evidenciar a atividade proliferativa dos fibroblastos. A maioria dos cortes não evidenciou a imunomarcação para decorina. Conclui-se que o aumento de volume na mucosa palatina em indivíduos portadores de síndrome de Apert é decorrente...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral mucosa of patients with Apert syndrome attended at the Hospital of Rehabilitation and Craniofacial Anomalies. The gingivectomy was realized in twelve patients with gingival lateral swellings targeting orthodontic accessories. The specimens were submitted for histological, morphometric, histochemistry (PAS, Alcian Blue, picrossirius) and immunohistochemistry analysis to evaluate cell proliferation with P63 protein, and identification of the collagens I and III and decorin. The histological analysis showed a hyperplasic epithelium, areas of thick collagen fibers in the connective tissue with inactive fibroblasts, different that revealed in the control group. The proportion of the components of the connective tissue between the Aperts syndrome and the control groups wasnt statistical significant. The histochemicals features showed a high concentration of glycosaminoglycans in the connective tissue of Aperts syndrome compared with that revealed in the control group. The picrossírius stained, in the confocal microscope and in the Image Pro-Plus system showed the presence of dense collagen fibers in the Aperts syndrome group, but the statistical analysis wasnt significant between the both groups. The correlation between the collagen area and the age of the patients wasnt statistically significant. The analyses in the Apert syndrome group confirmed the presence of type -I and -III collagen and no proliferative activity of fibroblasts. The decorin staining was absent in almost all the specimens. We conclude that in Aperts syndrome gingival lateral swellings is a secondary outcome and is independent of a increase in the connective tissue components; the collagen fibers, and the glycosaminoglycans gathering found in the Apert syndrome patients were structurally different.

Síndrome de Apert: manifestaciones cutáneas, presentación de un caso / Cutaneus manifestations: Aperts syndrome, report of a case

El síndrome de Apert o acrocefalosindactilia tipo I, es un trastorno congénito de herencia autosómica dominante, aunque se han descripto casos de mutación espontánea. Se caracteriza por malformaciones craneofaciales, y sindactilia de manos y pies. En menor proporción hay alteraciones cutáneas, cardiovasculares, genitourinarias, gastrointestinales y respiratorias. Comunicamos el caso de un paciente de 34 años con manifestaciones clínicas de este síndrome y resaltamos el compromiso cutáneo. Revisamos la bibliografía existente al respecto (AU)

Acrocephalosyndactyly -- the coalesced hand.

Described nearly a century ago, Apert's Syndrome (A.S.) is a rare disorder affecting 1/80,000 children, the mode of inheritance is autosomal dominant or sporadic. Apart from the more obvious skull malformations, extensive and complex hand deformities create several problems for the child's interaction with its environment, preventing normal intellectual development and generating psychological problems as severe as those caused by the craniofacial abnormalities. The deformities seen here are some of the most complex of all congenital hand malformations. Between January 1987 and January 1999, 71 children presenting with hand syndactyly were treated at the Hospital de Dona Estefania (H.D.E.), a total of 177 syndactylies. Of those, 51 had no associated illnesses, 14 had other conditions and six had A.S. All six cases were sporadic; one child had a cleft palate and another suffered from epilepsy. The timing at which the various surgeries were performed was diverse, however, there has been a recent trend towards earlier interventions in order to obtain a functional hand before the age of two. Aesthetic results vary a lot depending on the complexity of the lesions and we sometimes accept a three or four-digit, but functional hand. We achieved hands with a function of 40 to 65 % in all our patients before school age. Due to A.S.' rarity, an effective use of resources and good results can only be obtained in a specialised centre with a multidisciplinary team.

Syndromes involving craniosynostosis and midface hypoplasia.

This article reviews a number of well-known syndromes involving craniofacial synostosis and associated midface deficiencies. Syndromes discussed include Apert's, Crouzon's, Saethre-Chotzen, and Carpenter's. Clinical characteristics and genetic defects are discussed. A general approach to surgical management is outlined.

[Apert syndrome: clinico-epidemiological analysis of a series of consecutive cases in Spain]. / Síndrome de Apert: análisis clínico-epidemiológico de una serie consecutiva de casos en España.

OBJECTIVE: Apert syndrome is one of the five craniosynostosis syndromes caused by allelic mutations of the fibroblast growth-factor receptor 2 (FGFR2). It is characterized by symmetrical cutaneous and bony syndactyly of the hands and feet and a variety of pleiotrophic features of the skeleton, central nervous system, skin and internal organs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We show the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the 17 cases of Apert syndrome identified in a consecutive series of 26,956 malformed liveborn infants detected among 1,502,639 livebirths surveyed by the Spanish Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations (CEMC) between April 1976 and March 1998. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The estimated frequency of Apert syndrome in Spain is 0.11 per 10,000 liveborn infants. All of the cases were sporadic and were associated with an increased paternal age. The clinical manifestations of our cases are concordant with the variable expression of the syndrome, with the cardinal features of acrocephaly secondary to craniosynostosis and syndactyly of hands and feet present in all cases, and other anomalies, including cardiovascular (23.5%), cleft palate (23.5%), urinary (5.9%) and central nervous system (5.9%), in some of the patients.

The feet in Pfeiffer's syndrome.

Broad toes are the classic clinical finding occurring in the feet in Pfeiffer's syndrome patients, but few cases undergo formal radiological assessment. However, the feet in other craniosynostosis syndromes resulting from mutations of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 gene have anomalies at many other sites within the feet, which raised the possibility that there may also be a wider range of anomalies other than broad big toes in the feet of those with Pfeiffer's syndrome. The object of this study was to assess prospectively the incidence and pattern of clinical and radiographic anomalies of the feet of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Pfeiffer's syndrome. Twenty-two Pfeiffer's syndrome patients were examined both clinically and radiologically for anomalies of the feet. Clinical examination revealed broad big toes in 12 patients and syndactyly in 2. Radiographs of the feet were evaluated by a radiologist with an interest in skeletal dysplasia as well as by members of the Craniofacial team. A wider range of radiological than clinical anomalies involving the phalanges, metatarsals, and tarsals was seen. The severity of the anomalies observed ranged from normal to those resembling the feet of Apert's syndrome patients. Only 4 patients had radiologically normal feet. These radiographic findings suggest that there is a range of foot anomalies more extensive than the broad big toes, which are classically associated with Pfeiffer's syndrome.

Birth prevalence, mutation rate, sex ratio, parents' age, and ethnicity in Apert syndrome.

Apert syndrome was studied to determine birth prevalence, mutation rate, sex ratio, parents' age, and ethnicity among 2,493,331 live births registered in the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program (CBDMP) from 1983 through 1993; 31 affected infants were identified. The sample was completed with an additional 22 cases from the Center for Craniofacial Anomalies (CCA), University of California, San Francisco, for a total of 53 affected children. Birth prevalence, calculated from the CBDMP subsample, was 12.4 cases per million live births (confidence interval [CI] 8.6,17.9). The calculated mutation rate was 6.2 x 10(-6) per gene per generation. Asians had the highest prevalence (22.3 per million live births; CI 7.1,61.3) and Hispanics the lowest (7.6 per million, CI 3.3-16.4). In the large population-based CBDMP subsample, there was an almost equal number of affected males and females, (sex ratio 0.94) but in the clinical CCA subsample, there were more affected females (sex ratio 0.79). For all cases, the mean age of mothers was 28.9+/-6.0 years, and of fathers was 34.1+/-6.2 years. Almost half of fathers were older than 35 years when the child was born; for more than 20% of cases, both parents were older than 35 years. These findings may support the view that point mutations appear to be more commonly associated with paternal than with maternal alleles. Representing the largest systematically ascertained population-based study of Apert syndrome to date, they provide a reliable basis for genetic counseling and decision-making, and for focused research to define the cause of this syndrome.

Cognitive functioning of young children with Apert's syndrome.

Apert's syndrome is characterized by severe craniosynostosis, midface hypoplasia, symmetric syndactyly of the hands and sometimes feet. Cognitive functioning was evaluated in 11 children between 2.5 and 12.3 years. Four children had a normal IQ, four children had an intellectual ability in the borderline range and three children were mentally retarded. There was a consistent relative deficit in short-term memory and arithmetics. Some recommendations for psychological monitoring are discussed.