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The CHARGE association and athyreosis

J F Marín1, B García, A Quintana

  • 1Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.

Insights

This study describes a male infant with congenital hypothyroidism due to athyreosis, a condition previously unlinked to CHARGE association. This rare co-occurrence highlights a novel connection between these two distinct medical conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Medical Genetics
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a common endocrine disorder in newborns.
  • CHARGE association is a complex genetic disorder with multiple congenital anomalies.
  • Athyreosis, the absence of a thyroid gland, is a primary cause of CH.

Observation:

  • A male infant presented with congenital hypothyroidism due to athyreosis.
  • The infant also exhibited features of the CHARGE association, including bilateral papillary coloboma, congenital heart disease, dysmorphic ears, sensorineural deafness, psychomotor retardation, cryptorchidism, facial palsy, and vesicoureteral reflux.

Findings:

  • This is the first reported case of athyreosis-associated congenital hypothyroidism occurring concurrently with the CHARGE association.
  • The coexistence of these two distinct conditions in a single patient is a novel observation.

Implications:

  • This case expands the known phenotypic spectrum of CHARGE association.
  • It suggests a potential, previously unrecognized, genetic or developmental link between athyreosis and CHARGE association.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms connecting these conditions.

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