The Baller-Gerold syndrome

A case of severe craniosynostosis-radial aplasia (Baller-Gerold) syndrome is described in a newborn male, following a pregnancy complicated by polyhydramnios and intrauterine growth retardation. Death occurred after two hours owing to a prolonged apnoeic spell. Extensive agenesis of the frontal and parietal bones, resulting in a very large fontanelle, in addition to coronal bilateral craniosynostosis was observed at necropsy. There was also bilateral radial agenesis, oligodactyly of the hands and feet, a midline facial angioma, and a scrotally positioned anus, all of which have been described in some of the 10 previously reported cases. Microcephaly, erythroblastosis of the liver, and pancreatic islet cell hypertrophy were also noted.