PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Microcephaly”

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

Microcephaly, lymphedema, and chorioretinal dysplasia: report of two additional cases.

In recent years, several patients with microcephaly, lymphedema and chorioretinal dysplasia have been described. We have studied two additional patients with similar findings. The question of whether microcephaly with lymphedema and microcephaly with chorioretinal dysplasia and lymphedema are distinct entities remains unanswered. Identification of other patients in the future may provide additional information.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Autosomal-recessive microcephaly in two siblings, one with normal IQ and both with protruding mandible, small ears, and curved nose.

We report on 2 sibs with severe microcephaly and unusual associated manifestations. The brother has borderline/normal intelligence, episodic seizures, clumsiness, and the more severe of facial manifestations; the sister has normal IQ and neither seizures nor behavior abnormalities. Small ears, markedly protruding midface, curved nose, and severe retrognathia are present in both sibs. We postulate that our patients have a "new" form of AR microcephaly, since normal intelligence is not found, nor are the associate findings as pronounced, as in other, more common forms of AR microcephaly (i.e., "microcephalia vera").

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Additional case of Tsukahara's syndrome or new syndrome: further delineation of the association of microcephaly and radio-ulnar synostosis.

In 1994, Giuffré et al. reported two unrelated families in which some of the members had microcephaly and radio-ulnar synostosis, suggesting a new condition. Since this first report, Tsukahara et al. and Udler et al. described two distinct patients with a different condition characterized by radio-ulnar synostosis, short stature, microcephaly, scoliosis, and mental retardation. Here we report on a new case of microcephaly and radio-ulnar synostosis and discuss the possible relationship between Tsukahara's syndrome and the phenotype described by Giuffré et al.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Microcephaly is not mandatory for the diagnosis of mosaic variegated aneuploidy syndrome.

The phenotype of mosaic variegated aneuploidy (MVA) syndrome is characterized by severe microcephaly, growth deficiency, mental retardation, and mild physical anomalies. The MVA syndrome is associated with mosaicism for several different aneuploidies involving many different chromosomes with or without premature centromere division (PCD). To date 28 cases of MVA syndrome have been reported. We report the first case of MVA syndrome without microcephaly. The clinical features in our patient included craniofacial dysmorphic features, growth retardation, and developmental delay. Cytogenetics analyses and FISH studies showed multiple aneuploidy with trisomy 18, 19, and 8, respectively in blood lymphocyte and fibroblasts without PCD. This case is compared with the other of MVA syndrome previously reported in literature. From this case report, we suggest that microcephaly is not mandatory for the diagnosis of MVA syndrome.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Interstitial deletion in 3q in a patient with blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) and microcephaly, mild mental retardation and growth delay: clinical report and review of the literature.

We present a boy with blepharophimosis, ptosis, epicanthus inversus, microcephaly, mild mental retardation, and growth delay. Chromosomal analysis revealed a male karyotype with an interstitial deletion in the long arm of chromosome 3. DNA-analysis showed that the deletion is of maternal origin and encompasses the region between markers D3S1535 and D3S1593. The deletion contains not only the FOXL2 gene, but also the gene encoding ataxia-telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein (ATR). Mutations in FOXL2 have been shown to cause blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES). ATR has been identified as a candidate gene for Seckel syndrome, an autosomal recessive syndrome that comprises growth retardation, microcephaly, and mental retardation. We hypothesize that our patient has a contiguous gene syndrome and that the non-BPES-associated abnormalities (microcephaly, mild mental retardation, and growth delay) are the result of the deletion of the maternal ATR gene. However, it has not yet been excluded that haploinsufficiency of some other gene in this region plays a role.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Prenatal diagnosis of genetic microcephaly.

True microcephaly can be diagnosed at an early stage of gestation by serial measurements of fetal head growth as demonstrated by this case report in which the diagnosis of genetic microcephaly was made but termination refused. True microcephaly was evident at birth.

Consanguinity↗

Autosomal recessive microcephaly associated with chorioretinopathy.

Two sisters and their brother affected with microcephaly, microphthalmia, chorioretinal degeneration, and optic atrophy were studied. Besides the clinical features derived from the main abnormalities, nanosomy and cutis marmorata were found in the three patients. Both parents and three other sibs were normal. Possible intrauterine non-genetic etiologic factors (X-rays, toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus) which can lead to phenocopies were investigated with negative results. Based on these and previous observations, it seems clear that a distinct form of autosomal recessive microcephaly associated with chorioretinal degeneration can be separated from the heterogenous group of entities which presents microcephaly.

Child↗

Segregation frequency in microcephaly.

A total of 118 cases of microcephaly were clinically evaluated under two main groups: primary microcephaly (61 cases) and secondary microcephaly (57 cases). Secondary cases were generally characterized by convulsions, spasticity, and other congenital anomalies. Estimates of segregation frequency obtained separately in primary and secondary cases indicated that the primary consanguineous cases were most probably due to a single recessive gene. The segregation frequency was substantially less in other types, indicating much lower genetic risks in these cases.

Consanguinity↗

A syndrome of primary combined immunodeficiency with microcephaly, cerebellar hypoplasia, growth failure and progressive pancytopenia.

A male infant with primary combined immunodeficiency, microcephaly with marked cerebellar hypoplasia, and growth failure of prenatal onset is presented. He developed progressive pancytopenia in the 3rd year of life and died at 42 months from disseminated aspergillosis. Laboratory studies and post mortem examination failed to reveal any known aetiology for his disorder. Hreidarsson et al. [3] previously described a syndrome of progressive pancytopenia with microcephaly, cerebellar hypoplasia and growth failure in three boys, with similar clinical and laboratory findings. Although extensive immunological investigations were not performed in those previous patients, recurrent infections in two of them are suggestive of immunodeficiency. In the light of the immunological findings in our patient, we propose that the condition of the four patients belongs to the same syndrome, which has to be considered as a primary combined immunodeficiency syndrome. This syndrome can be distinguished from the other known immunodeficiency syndromes by its associated characteristic features, namely microcephaly with cerebellar hypoplasia, growth failure of prenatal onset and progressive pancytopenia.

Cerebellum↗

Lethal X-linked microcephaly with dysmorphic features, bilateral optic pathway aplasia and normal eyes.

We describe a family, consisting of two brothers and a maternal uncle who died of an apparently identical condition, within a few days of birth, suggestive of an X-linked mode of inheritance. The propositus (the older sibling) was investigated in detail and showed the following clinical features: microcephaly, facial dysmorphism, malformations of hands and feet, and cryptorchidism. Examination of the brain revealed arhinencephaly, a primitive gyral pattern, arrested cortical maturation, absence of corticofugal tracts and corpus callosum, agenesis of the optic pathway with preserved eyes and oculomotor system, absent auditory pathway, agenesis of the pars compacta of the substantia nigra and severe hypoplasia of the cerebellum and its connections. This family belongs to the group of X-linked microcephalies and has some features in common with the Juberg-Marsidi syndrome. The fact that the CNS abnormalities were incompatible with life and the facial dysmorphic features were quite different makes it unlikely that the affected individuals in this family had Juberg-Marsidi syndrome. However, this does not exclude the possibility that more restricted anterior induction defects may occur in some X-linked microcephalies such as Juberg-Marsidi syndrome resulting in prolonged survival.

Eye↗

Severe, non X-linked congenital microcephaly with absence of the pyramidal tracts in two siblings.

In two siblings (a female and a male neonate), severe microcephaly, bilateral absence of the pyramids, severe hypoplasia of the cerebral peduncles, and dysplasia of the inferior olives was found together with microphthalmia, facial malformations and multiple contractures of the extremities. In both cases, the cerebral hemispheres otherwise showed a more or less normal gyral pattern with the insula incompletely covered by the opercula, and a tom but otherwise intact corpus callosum. In case 2, congenital cataract was also observed. The present cases can be characterized as a rapidly fatal, familial syndrome, probably transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait, and have several features in common with the Neu-Laxova syndrome. They differ in having a less severe form of microcephaly, a rather normal cytoarchitecture of the cerebral cortex, an apparently normal corpus callosum, no gross cerebellar abnormalities, and no other organ malformations. The present cases belong to a group of heterogeneous syndromes which have microcephaly, ocular and facial malformations, multiple contractures, and ichthyosis-like skin in common.

Brain↗

Atelencephalic microcephaly: a case report and review of the literature.

UNLABELLED: Atelencephalic microcephaly is a lethal form of abnormal cerebral development. In atelencephaly there is a rudimentary prosencephalon; in aprosencephaly, a more severe form of cerebral malformation, both prosencephalic and diencephalic derivatives fail to develop; both conditions form the aprosencephaly/atelencephaly spectrum (AAS). In the literature 20 cases with atelencephaly or aprosencephaly have been described. Except for the brain malformation other congenital abnormalities seem to be present more often in patients with aprosencephaly. In two patients (one with atelencephaly and one with aprosencephaly) an aberration of chromosome 13 was found. We report on a prematurely born microcephalic male infant with a severely malformed calvarium with overlying rugged skin, non-fused cranial sutures, absent fontanelles, and multiple contractures. CT scan of the brain revealed neither cerebral hemispheres, nor ventricles and a diagnosis of atelencephalic microcephaly was made. In the literature two sibs have been described, products of consanguineous parents, who were the only ones with cerebellar dysgenesis. Aprosencephaly/atelencephaly spectrum in combination with cerebellar dysgenesis seems to be an autosomal recessive syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Atelencephalic microcephaly is a distinct entity and should be differentiated from anencephaly and the fetal brain disruption sequence. The aetiology of the disorder is unknown.

Humans↗

Autosomal dominant microcephaly.

Four families with autosomal dominant microcephaly are reported. Although the phenotype is nondistinctive, several patients had receding or small foreheads, upslanted palpebral fissures, or prominent ears. The degree of intellectual dysfunction is not as severe as that recorded in autosomal recessive microcephaly. It would appear that autosomal dominant microcephaly is more common than previously recorded, and that head circumference measurements of siblings and parents of affected patients should become a part of the initial investigation.

Adult↗

[Diagnosis of phenylketonuria in a 35-year-old mother in relation to prenatal diagnosis of intrauterine growth retardation with microcephaly].

BACKGROUND: Some French pregnant women with phenylketonuria (PKU), born before 1978, have not been tested with the Guthrie method during the neonatal period. They have a risk of spontaneous abortion and their infants are often mentally retarded with microcephaly and/or congenital heart anomaly. CASE REPORT: A woman with a moderate mental retardation became pregnant at the age of 31 years. Her newborn had a severe intrauterine growth retardation with microcephaly and developed mental retardation. This mother became pregnant again 4 years later. Repeated fetal ultrasonography showed progressive growth retardation. Maternal blood phenylalanine concentration was 18 mg/100 mL. Therapeutic abortion at 27 weeks of gestational age showed a fetus with several abnormalities, particularly cardiovascular and cerebral. CONCLUSION: It is still possible to meet women with unrecognized atypical PKU. Fetus or infant born with unexplained growth retardation and microcephaly requires search for maternal PKU.

Abortion, Eugenic↗

Microcephaly and macrocephaly in autism.

Data from a series of 126 autistic children ages 2-16 years and referred to an Autism Diagnosis Unit in South-West France were examined. Macrocephaly (head circumference > 97th centile) was observed in 16.7% of the sample, a significantly higher proportion than that expected. Macrocephaly was more frequent among older subjects but was otherwise not associated with gender, developmental level, the presence of epilepsy or of medical disorders, or severity of autistic symptomatology. Microcephaly (head circumference < 3rd centile) was also significantly raised and found in 15.1% of the sample. Microcephaly was significantly associated with the presence of medical disorders. Results support those from recent studies suggesting a raised rate of macrocephaly in autism which, pooling published data, can be estimated to be 20%. It is argued that the raised incidence of microcephaly among low-functioning autistic subjects with medical disorders might have contributed to delay the recognition of an increased head circumference among a minority of subjects with idiopathic autism.

Adolescent↗

The second locus for autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH2) maps to chromosome 19q13.1-13.2.

Primary microcephaly is a clinical diagnosis made when an individual has a head circumference of greater than 3 standard deviations below the age and sex matched population mean, mental retardation but without other associated malformations and no apparent aetiology. The majority of cases of primary microcephaly exhibit an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. We now demonstrate the genetic heterogeneity of this condition with the identification of a second primary microcephaly locus (MCPH2) on chromosome 19q13.1-13.2 in two multi-affected consanguineous families. The minimum critical region containing the MCPH2 locus is defined by the polymorphic markers D19S416 and D19S420 spanning a region of approximately 7.6 cM.

Adolescent↗

A translocation breakpoint disrupts the ASPM gene in a patient with primary microcephaly.

Primary microcephaly (microcephalia vera) is a developmental abnormality resulting in a small brain, with mental retardation. It is usually transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait, and six loci have been reported to date. We analyzed a translocation breakpoint previously reported in a patient with apparently sporadic primary microcephaly, at 1q31, where locus MCPH5 maps. The patient was lost to follow-up, and we sampled a maternal aunt who carried the familial translocation. FISH analyses showed that the insert of BAC clone RP11-32D17 spanned the breakpoint. The breakpoint was further located within a fragment of this insert corresponding to intron 17 of the ASPM gene, resulting in a predicted transcript truncated of more than half of its coding sequence. It is very likely that the proband carried a second ASPM mutation in trans, but he was not available for sampling and hence we could not confirm this hypothesis. Our observation adds to the mutation spectrum of ASPM in primary microcephaly, and is to our knowledge the second example of a constitutional, reciprocal translocation responsible for a bona fide autosomal recessive phenotype.

Chromosome Banding↗

Cerebellar hypoplasia in the second trimester associated with microcephaly at birth.

The antenatal diagnosis of microcephaly is most commonly made in the third trimester. Biometric measurements of the head of three or four standard deviations below the mean are suggestive of microcephaly. We report a case of microcephaly where abnormalities in intracerebral architecture, i.e. cerebellar hypoplasia, were noted early in the second trimester.

Adult↗