Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

In Vivo Functional Study of Disease-associated Rare Human Variants Using Drosophila
Published on: August 20, 2019
SHORT syndrome
Rainer Koenig1, Leticia Brendel, Sigrun Fuchs
1Institute of Human Genetics, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany. r.koenig@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Insights
This study details a mother and son exhibiting SHORT syndrome features, including short stature and progeroid facies. Findings suggest an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern for this rare genetic condition.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
Background:
- SHORT syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by specific physical and developmental features.
- Understanding its inheritance pattern is crucial for genetic counseling and diagnosis.
Observation:
- A familial case involving a mother and son presented with classic SHORT syndrome manifestations: short stature, progeroid facies, Rieger anomaly, delayed teething, and developmental delays.
- Patients also exhibited a slight build with reduced subcutaneous fat.
- Insulin resistance was suspected in the mother based on an oral glucose tolerance test.
Findings:
- The described symptoms align with characteristic features of SHORT syndrome.
- The presence of five familial cases across generations, with equal male and female involvement and male-to-male transmission, strongly indicates an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern.
- While insulin resistance was suggested in the mother, the index patient's test was normal at a young age.
Implications:
- This research reinforces the diagnostic criteria for SHORT syndrome.
- The confirmed autosomal dominant inheritance has significant implications for genetic counseling and family planning.
- Further research may elucidate the variable expressivity of metabolic complications like insulin resistance in SHORT syndrome.
Abstract:
We describe a mother and her son with short stature, progeroid facies, Rieger anomaly, teething delay, and mild developmental retardation, particularly speech delay, which are characteristic features of the SHORT syndrome. An additional sign of all described patients is the slight build with lack of subcutaneous fat. Resistance to insulin was suggested by an oral glucose tolerance test in the mother, whereas the test was normal in the index patient at the age of 2 years 2 months. We review the literature and discuss the name-giving symptoms critically. Five familial cases in different generations, equally affected male and female patients and male-to-male transmission point to an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance.
More Related Videos
08:22A Robust Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Assay for Quantifying Cytosine-guanine-guanine Trinucleotide Repeats in Fragile X Mental Retardation-1 Gene
Published on: September 16, 2019
08:03Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model
Published on: November 4, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Meiosis I
Pleiotropy
Karyotyping
Alternative RNA Splicing
There are five types of alternative RNA splicing that vary in the ways the pre-mRNA segments are removed or retained in the mature mRNA. The first...
Acute Coronary Syndrome I: Introduction
Social Anxiety Disorder