Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to F Halal.
We report on 2 sibs with generalized hypotonia, developmental retardation, unilateral radio-ulnar synostosis, and a characteristic facial appearance. We propose that they have a new autosomal recessive syndrome.
We report on a 14-year-old boy with ring chromosome 20. Clinical manifestations included postnatal growth retardation, epilepsy, microcephaly, behaviour disorder, minor facial anomalies, small sella turcica, possible partial growth hormone deficiency, and mental retardation. A decreased activity of enzyme carboxypeptidase-L/protective protein (CP/PP) in cultured fibroblasts was demonstrated in our patient and a patient with a karyotype 46,XY,-14, + der(14)t(14;20)(14pter----14q32.3::20q13.1----20qter)m at. This suggests possible assignment of the CP/PP gene to the distal segment of 20q.
We report on 4 individuals (3 sibs and their father) with a syndrome of growth retardation, microcephaly, minor facial anomalies reminiscent of a mild Brachmann-de Lange syndrome (BDLS), severe metatarsus adductus, developmental delay, and unusual dermatoglyphics. The syndrome, which seems to be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait with variable expressivity, resembles mild BDLS.
We report on monozygotic (MZ) twins, one with the fibular aplasia developmental field defect, and the other with ectrosyndactyly of the hand. This may represent a coincidental occurrence of two sporadic events, or syndromal fibular aplasia.
We report on a girl with a previously undescribed de novo direct tandem duplication 4q involving the segment q23----q27. Clinical manifestations included postnatal growth and psychomotor retardation, microcephaly, hirsute forehead, epicanthic folds, strabismus, depressed nasal bridge, long philtrum, small mouth, tetralogy of Fallot, and sacral dimple. Her phenotype is compared with that of previously reported cases of duplication 4q. An increased activity of the enzyme aspartylglucosaminidase (AGA) in cultured fibroblasts was demonstrated. This suggests possible assignment of the AGA gene to the chromosomal segment 4q23----4q27.
Four individuals from 2 generations of a family had a hidrotic type of ectodermal dysplasia (ED). Males and females were similarly affected. They had trichodysplasia, with absent eyebrows and eyelashes; normal teeth, onychodysplasia; normal sweating; mild retrognathia; abnormal dermatoglyphics; and mental retardation. Additional variable manifestations included irregular menses, high implanted or prominent ears, café-au-lait spot, keratosis pilaris, supernumerary nipple, and mild hearing loss. Their previously undescribed condition could be classified as an ED of 1-3 (trichoonychial) subgroup of group A according to Freire-Maia's classification and is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.
We report on a boy with platyspondyly and metaphyseal manifestations of enchondromatosis with severe involvement of hands and feet, compatible with generalized enchondromatosis (enchondromatosis Spranger type VI). His father has only moderate platyspondyly. The latter is either coincidental or a milder, more localized expression of the disease. Father and son have consanguineous parents suggesting autosomal recessive inheritance of the trait. However, autosomal dominant inheritance with variable expressivity is also possible.
An adult patient with mongoloid appearance, profound retardation and autistic-like behavior was found to have a deletion of the distal bands of chromosome 1q. To our knowledge, this is the oldest patient with distal deletion 1q.
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The hand pattern profiles of 18 previously published and 10 new cases of de Lange syndrome were compared to those of cases referred as suspects, but judged clinically and by numerical taxonomic methods not to have de Lange syndrome (non-de Lange). Based on a Poznanski metacarpophalangeal profile of the 2 groups of patients, a simple scoring system using 11 measurements was devised using the 16 most marked differences within and between metacarpals and phalanges. Of the metacarpals, the first is shorter than the second, third, fourth, or fifth; and the second and fifth are shorter than the third or fourth. Of the middle phalanges, the third and fourth are shorter than the respective metacarpal and than the second and fifth middle phalanx. Of the distal phalanges, the fifth is shorter than the second. The mean Z score for these 11 measurements is further below normal in the de Lange group than in the non-de Lange group. All 11 non-de Lange patients had a score less than 17, and all 28 de Lange patients had a score of 18 or more.
A second family is described in which camptodactyly, club foot, and cleft palate (the Gordon syndrome) is transmitted in a pattern consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance with reduced penetrance and variable expressivity. Penetrance appears to be more reduced in females than in males, and cleft palate is the least frequently manifested trait.
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Familial occurrence of Scheuermann's juvenile kyphosis is well known, but no specific mode of inheritance has been recognized. We describe five families in which the disease seems to follow and autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance.
We report a case of perinatal infection that we believe is the first documented report of a congenital vesicular eruption due to Haemophilus influenzae type b and the second report of puerperal sepsis with this organism. A vesicular eruption was noted at birth on an infant delivered at 37 weeks following 34 hours' premature rupture of membranes. Gram-negative rods were seen on Gram stain of vesicular fluid, and H. influenzae type b grew on cultures of vesicular fluid. The mother sustained postpartum septicemia with the same organism. Amnionitis and funistis were demonstrated histologically. Results of all viral studies were negative. Infant and mother did well with antibiotic therapy.
Severe disseminated lung disease causing acute respiratory failure developed in a previously healthy 6 1/2-year-old boy. Mycoplasma pneumoniae was implicated and a complement-fixing antibody titre of 1:1024 against this organism was detected. At autopsy bronchiectasis was found, affecting chiefly the right middle and lower lobes. The unusual radiologic and pathologic findings are discussed.
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