Recurrent anencephaly: a case report and examination of the VANGL1 and FOXN1 genes

We report a new and rare case of recurrent anencephaly in a family with no other apparent abnormalities. The karyotypes of the family and all affected subjects were normal. Thorough mutational analyses of VANGL1 of chromosome 1p13.1 and FOXN1 of chromosome 17q11-q12, genes that are associated with phenotypes of the anencephaly spectrum, unfortunately did not disclose any DNA variations in an affected fetus of this family. The etiology of recurrent anencephaly in this family is therefore due to mutations in genes yet to be discovered, perhaps of the planar cell polarity pathway, or to possible environmental gestational factors during development.