Microcephaly-cardiomyopathy: a new autosomal recessive phenotype?
I M Winship1, D L Viljoen, P M Leary
1Department of Human Genetics, University of Cape Town Medical School, Observatory, South Africa.
Journal of Medical Genetics
|September 1, 1991
Summary
Severe microcephaly and self-limiting dilated cardiomyopathy in siblings suggest a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder. This condition also involves intellectual disability and developmental delays.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
- Cardiology
Background:
- Autosomal recessive inheritance patterns are crucial for understanding rare genetic disorders.
- Congenital heart defects and neurological abnormalities can present with overlapping features.
Observation:
- Two siblings presented with a distinct phenotype.
- Key features included severe microcephaly and self-limiting dilated cardiomyopathy.
Findings:
- The observed phenotype suggests an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.
- Additional features included intellectual disability, delayed developmental milestones, and minor dysmorphic features.
Implications:
- This finding aids in the genetic diagnosis of rare pediatric syndromes.
- Further research can elucidate the specific gene responsible for this condition.
- Understanding this phenotype can improve clinical management and genetic counseling.
Related Concept Videos
Genetic Lingo
Overview
Pedigree Analysis
Overview
Animal Mitochondrial Genetics
Among all the organelles in an animal cell, only mitochondria have their own independent genomes. Animal mitochondrial DNA is a double-stranded, closed-circular molecule with around 20,000 base pairs. Mitochondrial DNA is unique in that one of its two strands, the heavy, or H, -strand is guanine rich, whereas the complementary strand is cytosine rich and called the light, or L, -strand. Compared to nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA has a very low percentage of non-coding regions and is marked by...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...


