PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “ACHONDROPLASIA”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

FGFR3 gene mutation (Gly380Arg) with achondroplasia and i(21q) Down syndrome: phenotype-genotype correlation.

We report the case of a boy with achondroplasia and i(21q) Down syndrome. Besides craniofacial features typical in Down syndrome, the skeletal findings of achondroplasia dominate the clinical picture. The diagnosis of Down syndrome was based on clinical features and the cytogenetic finding of i(21q) trisomy 21. The diagnosis of achondroplasia was based on the presence of clinical and radiographic findings and confirmed by the presence of a common FGFR3 gene mutation (Gly380Arg) detected by restriction enzyme analysis and sequencing of the polymerase chain reaction products. This is the first report of achondroplasia associated with i(21q) Down syndrome.

Achondroplasia↗

Achondroplasia in diverse Jewish and Arab populations in Israel: clinical and molecular characterization.

BACKGROUND: Achondroplasia is the most frequent form of disproportionate short stature, characterized by rhizomelic shortening of the limbs. This disorder is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, although most of the cases are sporadic, a result of a de novo mutation. A recurrent glycine to arginine mutation at codon 380 (G380R) in the transmembrane domain of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 gene was found to cause achondroplasia among different populations. This is most uncommon in other autosomal dominant genetic diseases. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether this mutation is also common among Jewish patients from diverse ethnic groups and among the Arab population in Israel. METHODS: We examined the G380R mutation (G > A and G > C transition) and the mutation G375C (G > T transition at codon 375) in 31 sporadic patients and in one family diagnosed clinically to have achondroplasia. RESULTS: We found the G > A transition at codon 380 in 30 of our patients and the G > C transition in one patient. We were not able to detect any of the three mutations in two patients with an atypical form of achondroplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Our results further support the unusual observation that nucleotide 1138 of the FGFR3 gene is the most mutable nucleotide discovered to date across different populations.

Achondroplasia↗

Clinical and molecular characteristics of Thai patients with achondroplasia.

Achondroplasia is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by disproportionately short stature, frontal bossing, rhizomelia, and trident hands. Most patients appear sporadically resulting from a de novo mutation associated with advanced paternal age. A glycine to arginine mutation at codon 380 (G380R) of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 gene (FGFR3) was found to be the most common cause of achondroplasia in various populations. We identified and clinically characterized 3 Thai patients with achondroplasia. In all of them, we also successfully identified the G380R mutation supporting the observation that this is the most common mutation in achondroplasia across different ethnic groups including Thai.

Achondroplasia↗

[Neurosurgical aspects in achondroplasia: evaluation and treatment].

Achondroplasia is the most common genetic disorder associated with bone dysplasia. The mode of inheritance is autosomal dominance, while most cases appear to represent a new mutation. Achondroplastic patients suffer from dwarfism, and from typical features of the head and limbs (rhizomelia, macrocephaly, frontal bossing and kyphosis). Half of the patients show various neurological complications. The most serious complication of achondroplasia is respiratory impairment, apnea and sudden infant death, resulting from compression of the medulla oblongata. This study describes the neurosurgical sequels in 10 achondroplastic patients, who underwent 12 surgical procedures. The average age was 14 years (ages ranged from 3 months to 40 years). The patients suffered from back pain, muscle weakness, incontinence, hypotonia, psychomotor delay, apnea and respiratory arrest. Four patients were diagnosed as suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. Craniocervical MRI showed: narrowing of the foramen magnum, fusion of C1, spinal stenosis, and severe cervicomedullary or spinal cord compression. In 5 patients the MRI also showed ventriculomegaly of the lateral and third ventricles. Seven patients underwent foramen magnum decompression and C1 laminectomy. Three patients with severe spinal cord compression underwent laminectomy of the involved spines (T12-L5). Two of the patients required more then one operation due to the recurrence of their neurological symptoms. There was no need for duraplasty or shunt procedures. The average hospital stay was 6 days. Eight patients showed improvement or resolution of symptoms, with an average follow-up period of 13.5 months after the last operation (ranged 6-24 months). We conclude that early neurological and MRI evaluations are required in achondroplasia patients, in order to prevent the high morbidity and mortality during infancy and childhood. In adults, MRI evaluation is needed if the patient has neurological symptoms. Early identification and immediate cervicomedulary decompression procedure can prevent the serious complications occurring in achondroplasia, including respiratory failure, apnea and sudden death.

Achondroplasia↗

[Pseudo-achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia].

Two cases are reported: A young women of 18 with pseudo-achondroplasia and a 13 year old boy with hypochondroplasia. Similarities and differences between both diseases, achondroplasia and epiphyseal dysplasia are pointed out. It is likely, that the achondroplastic symptom complex and dysplastic processes of the epiphysis (in pseudo-achondroplasia under the spinal column) are no reason to regard these diseases as special forms of achondroplasia and epiphyseal dysplasia. They are independent diseases.

Achondroplasia↗

Achondroplasia is defined by recurrent G380R mutations of FGFR3.

Genomic DNA from 154 unrelated individuals with achondroplasia was evaluated for mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) transmembrane domain. All but one, an atypical case, were found to have a glycine-to-arginine substitution at codon 380. Of these, 150 had a G-to-A transition at nt 1138, and 3 had a G-to-C transversion at this same position. On the basis of estimates of the prevalence of achondroplasia, the mutation rate at the FGFR3 1138 guanosine nucleotide is two to three orders of magnitude higher than that previously reported for tranversions and transitions in CpG dinucleotides. To date, this represents the most mutable single nucleotide reported in the human genome. The homogeneity of mutations in achondroplasia is unprecedented for an autosomal dominant disorder and may explain the relative lack of heterogeneity in the achondroplasia phenotype.

Achondroplasia↗

Prospective assessment of risks for cervicomedullary-junction compression in infants with achondroplasia.

Achondroplasia, the most common heritable skeletal dysplasia, may result in abnormality at the craniocervical junction, which is a potentially lethal problem in a subset of young infants with this disorder. We evaluated and followed an unbiased and unselected consecutive series of infants with achondroplasia, to better document the occurrence, frequency, and clinical presentation of craniocervical abnormalities. Of 53 prospectively ascertained infants, 5 were judged to have sufficient craniocervical junction compression to require surgical decompression. Intraoperative observation always showed marked abnormality of the cervical spinal cord, and all operated-on children showed marked improvement of neurological function. The most frequent clinical abnormalities within this subset were those expected for high cervical myelopathy. The best predictors of need for suboccipital decompression included lower-limb hyperreflexia or clonus, on examination; central hypopnea demonstrated by polysomnography; and foramen magnum measures below the means for children with achondroplasia. Infants with achondroplasia are at risk for potentially lethal sequelae of craniocervical junction abnormalities; selective intervention can be life and health saving, but individuals at high risk will be identified only if all affected infants undergo comprehensive assessment in infancy.

Achondroplasia↗

Constitutive activation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 by the transmembrane domain point mutation found in achondroplasia.

Achondroplasia, the most common genetic form of dwarfism, is an autosomal dominant disorder whose underlying mechanism is a defect in the maturation of the cartilage growth plate of long bones. Achondroplasia has recently been shown to result from a Gly to Arg substitution in the transmembrane domain of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3), although the molecular consequences of this mutation have not been investigated. By substituting the transmembrane domain of the Neu receptor tyrosine kinase with the transmembrane domains of wild-type and mutant FGFR3, the Arg380 mutation in FGFR3 is shown to activate both the kinase and transforming activities of this chimeric receptor. Residues with side chains capable of participating in hydrogen bond formation, including Glu, Asp, and to a lesser extent, Gln, His and Lys, were able to substitute for the activating Arg380 mutation. The Arg380 point mutation also causes ligand-independent stimulation of the tyrosine kinase activity of FGFR3 itself, and greatly increased constitutive levels of phosphotyrosine on the receptor. These results suggest that the molecular basis of achondroplasia is unregulated signal transduction through FGFR3, which may result in inappropriate cartilage growth plate differentiation and thus abnormal long bone development. Achondroplasia may be one of the number of cogenital disorders where constitutive activation of a member of the FGFR family leads to development abnormalities.

3T3 Cells↗

Growth and growth hormone therapy in children with achondroplasia: a two-year experience.

The efficacy and safety of recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) administration was studied in children with achondroplasia. Fifteen children with achondroplasia, seven boys (4.8-12.2 years of age) and 12 girls (5.7-2.2 years of age), were treated daily with hGH at a dosage of 1 IU/kg/week. Auxological assessments were performed 6 months before, at initiation of, and at 6, 12, and 24 months following initiation of growth hormone (GH) therapy. Before initiating GH therapy, hypothalamic-pituitary and thyroid functions were evaluated. Levels of serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF binding protein (BP)-3 (IGFBP-3) were assessed, as was GH response to provocative stimuli. GH responses in two stimulation tests were normal for all but three children. During the first semester of GH treatment, a significant increase in height velocity (HV), from 3.2 to 8.3 cm/year, was observed in all children. However, during the second semester, a relative decrease in growth rate was observed. By the end of the first year, HV had increased from 3.2 to 6.9 cm/year (mean, 3.7 cm/year; range, 1.1-8 cm/year) in 13 children and remained unchanged in two children. HV declined progressively during the next 12 months and, by the end of the second year of treatment, had increased in seven of the nine children who had completed 2 years of therapy (mean increase, 3.1 cm/year); two children did not respond to GH therapy, as shown by the lack of increase in HV. Sitting-height (SH) to standing-height ratio % (SH%) remained unchanged throughout GH therapy, and no significant change in skeletal maturation was observed. In conclusion, hGH treatment resulted in an increased growth rate in some children with achondroplasia; however, this increase waned during the second year of treatment. Children with the lowest pretreatment HVs seemed to benefit most from GH therapy. Nonetheless, the usefulness of GH treatment in achondroplasia will be known only when a study of final height is completed.

Achondroplasia↗

[Mutations of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 gene in achondroplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether mutation in the exon 10 of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3(FGFR3) gene in common in Chinese patients with achondroplasia. METHODS: Genomic DNA from seven sporadic cases of achondroplasia was studied by using PCR-SSCP and restriction enzymes. RESULTS: All patients carried the same glycine-to-arginine mutation at codon 380(G380R) of the transmembrane domain of FGFR3. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the G380R mutation of FGFR3 is also a frequent mutation causing achondroplasia in Chinese. Detecting FGFR 3 gene mutation with PCR-SSCP and restriction enzymes analysis is a convenient, rapid and reliable molecular diagnostic assay for prenatal and early diagnosis of achondroplasia.

Achondroplasia↗

Achondroplasia is not caused by mutation in the gene for type II collagen.

Achondroplasia is the most common human skeletal dysplasia. It is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait but the underlying biochemical cause is unknown. Genomic DNA from 49 affected individuals and two multiplex families with achondroplasia was studied using probes spanning COL2A1, the structural gene for type II collagen. Two lines of evidence speak against mutation in COL2A1 as the cause of achondroplasia: (1) no gross rearrangements are seen on Southern blot analysis of DNA from probands, and (2) linkage studies in multiplex families demonstrate discordant inheritance of achondroplasia and COL2A1 alleles.

Alleles↗

Magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of medullary compression in achondroplasia.

Children with achondroplasia may be at increased risk of developing apneic episodes and of dying unexpectedly. The risks seem to be related to neural axis compression by an abnormal cranial base and may be complicated by the development of hydrocephalus. We used magnetic resonance imaging to study five children with achondroplasia. All of them demonstrated a discrepancy between the size of the brain stem and the foramen magnum. Comprehensive prospective assessment of infants with achondroplasia, including the use of new imaging techniques, will provide important information concerning the natural history of the relationship of the neural axis to the bony posterior fossa and upper cervical spine in this condition. It may also help to identify those patients at risk before the development of life-threatening medullary compression.

Achondroplasia↗

Common mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR 3) gene account for achondroplasia, hypochondroplasia, and thanatophoric dwarfism.

The mapping of the achondroplasia locus to the short arm of chromosome 4 and the subsequent identification of a recurrent missense mutation (G380R) in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR-3) gene has been followed by the detection of common FGFR-3 mutations in two clinically related disorders: thanatophoric dwarfism (types I and II) and hypochondroplasia. The relative clinical homogeneity of achondroplasia was substantiated by demonstration of its genetic homogeneity as more than 98% of all patients hitherto reported exhibit mutations in the transmembrane receptor domain. Although most hypochondroplasia cases were accounted for by a recurrent missense substitution (N540K) in the first tyrosine kinase (TK 1) domain of the receptor, a significant proportion (40%) of our patients did not harbor the N540K mutation and three hypochondroplasia families were not linked to the FGFR-3 locus, thus supporting clinical heterogeneity of this condition. In thanatophoric dwarfism (TD), a recurrent FGFR-3 mutation located in the second tyrosine kinase (TK 2) domain of the receptor was originally detected in 100% of TD II cases, our series seven distinct mutations in three different protein domains were identified in 25 of 26 TD I patients, suggesting that TD, like achondroplasia, is a genetically homogenous skeletal disorder.

Achondroplasia↗

Functional health status of adults with achondroplasia.

Little is known regarding the functional health status of individuals with achondroplasia. This cross-sectional survey of adults with achondroplasia was undertaken to assess the functional health status of this population and its determinants. The study sample consisted of members of the Little People of America (LPA) who completed a mailed questionnaire consisting of a demographics component, a general and disease-specific comorbidities component, and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) health status questionnaire. Univariate analyses and multivariate linear regression models were used for data analysis. Four hundred thirty-seven individuals with a mean age of 38 years completed the survey. The age- and gender-adjusted Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores did not significantly differ from those of the general population. In contrast, the age- and gender-adjusted Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores were significantly lower than the general population starting in the fourth decade of life. Musculoskeletal diseases were most prevalent and had the greatest impact on the PCS scores. Two-thirds of this cohort had undergone at least one operation. Only musculoskeletal procedures were significantly associated with PCS and MCS scores. The functional health status of adults with achondroplasia, as measured by the SF-36, is not drastically reduced in comparison with that of the general U.S. population.

Achondroplasia↗

Ultrasound and molecular mid-trimester prenatal diagnosis of de novo achondroplasia.

In a low-risk pregnant patient at 21 weeks' gestation, ultrasound revealed shortening of fetal long bones compatible with achondroplasia. Funipuncture was performed and DNA analysis of fetal blood demonstrated the presence of the GR380R fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3), which is specifically associated with achondroplasia. After termination of the pregnancy, necropsy confirmed the prenatal diagnosis. A certain sonographic diagnosis of fetal de novo achondroplasia is rarely possible prior to viability. The specificity of the FGFR3 causative mutation has added a new diagnostic option which can be applied prenatally for diagnostic validation.

Achondroplasia↗

Hearing loss and temporal bone structure in achondroplasia.

Characteristic temporal bone changes have recently been defined by high resolution CT in nine patients with achondroplasia (Cobb et al., Am J Neuroradiol 9:1195, 1988). These included narrowing of the skull base and "towering" petrous ridges resulting in abnormal orientation of the inner and middle ear structures. In order to determine whether these morphologic changes are the cause of the hearing deficit in achondroplasia, audiometric studies and ENT evaluation were performed in eight of the nine patients. All had a history of frequent otitis media and four had experienced tympanic membrane tube insertion. Three patients had significant sensorineural hearing loss, two had conductive hearing loss and one patient had combined hearing loss. None of the temporal bone morphologic changes were found to be correlated with the degree of either sensorineural or conductive hearing loss. Fusion of the ossicular chain was not present in any of our cases. Appropriate treatment of frequent acute otitis media and early awareness of middle ear effusions and conductive hearing loss in children with achondroplasia may be of great importance in preventing permanent hearing loss.

Achondroplasia↗

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in achondroplasia: evaluation of sleep, breathing, and somatosensory-evoked potentials.

The occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is achondroplasia has been linked to brain stem compression. Overnight sleep studies (11 subjects) and somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEP's, 10 subjects) were recorded before and after conventional treatment of OSA in achondroplasia. The two groups were derived from 30 subjects who underwent diagnostic sleep studies and SEPs, including 15 females and 15 males with a median age 6.6 years (range 1.0-47.6) at the time of the first study. In 30 initial studies there was no correlation between severity of OSA and abnormalities on SEP evaluation. Treatment of 17 subjects included adenotonsillectomy (n = 3), weight loss (n = 1), and nasal-mask continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) (n = 13). Sleep studies in 11 subjects after a delay of 8.8 +/- 2.8 months showed a reduction in respiratory disturbance index (RDI) from 38.4 +/- 6.9 to 6.5 +/- 1.8 events hr(-1) (p < 0.001) and movements/arousals fell from 10.4 +/- 2.2 to 4.8 +/- 0.2 hr(-1) (p < 0.04). Obstructive events were reduced from 33.7 +/- 6.9 to 2.4 +/- 1.0 hr(-1) (p < 0.001). Improvement of respiratory indices was associated with an increased proportion of slow-wave sleep from 25.2 +/- 4.0% to 32.3 +/- 2.4% (p = 0.01), and decrease in stage 1-2 sleep from 59.3 +/- 5.8% to 46.6 +/- 1.9% (p = 0.03). There was no increase in the percentage of REM sleep (15.2 to 21.2%). Repeat SEP studies in 10 subjects, after clinically effective treatment of OSA, showed improvement of SEP score of at least 1 grade, in 5 of 7 (71%) with initially abnormal values. We conclude that treatment of relieve upper airway obstruction improves OSA in achondroplasia, accompanied by changes in sleep structure and, in some cases, improved studies of neurological function.

Achondroplasia↗

Non-invasive prenatal detection of achondroplasia in size-fractionated cell-free DNA by MALDI-TOF MS assay.

Achondroplasia is the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism in humans and is caused by mutations in the FGFR3 gene. Currently, prenatal diagnosis of this disorder relies on invasive procedures. Recent studies have shown that fetal single gene point mutations could be detected in cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) from maternal plasma by either the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) assay with single allele base extension reaction (SABER) approach or the size fractionation of cf-DNA in maternal plasma. Here, we combined the two approaches to non-invasively examine the fetal G1138A mutation in maternal plasma. cf-DNA was extracted from maternal plasma samples obtained from two pregnant women at risk for achondroplasia. The fetal G1138A mutation was determined by the analysis of size-fractionated cf-DNA in maternal plasma using MALDI-TOF MS with SABER approach and homogenous MassEXTEND (hME) assay, respectively. The fetal G1138A mutation was detectable in the two achondroplasia-affected pregnancies by the analysis of cf-DNA in maternal plasma using MALDI-TOF MS. However, the size-fractionation approach led to a more precise detection of the fetal mutation in both analyses. This analysis would be suitable for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of diseases caused by fetal single gene point mutations.

Achondroplasia↗