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Clinical and ocular abnormalities in DEGCAGS syndrome-Developmental delay with gastrointestinal, cardiovascular,
Syed M Ali1,2,3, Dua A AlMasri3, Carlos E Prada4,5
1Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu-Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Insights
This report details a novel ZNF699 gene variant causing Developmental Delay with Gastrointestinal, Cardiovascular, Genitourinary, and Skeletal Abnormalities (DEGCAGS) syndrome. The study highlights previously undescribed visual system abnormalities in this rare genetic disorder.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Developmental Delay with Gastrointestinal, Cardiovascular, Genitourinary, and Skeletal Abnormalities (DEGCAGS) syndrome is a rare genetic disorder.
- Genetic variations in the ZNF699 gene have been implicated in DEGCAGS syndrome.
Observation:
- A consanguineous Middle Eastern family presented with a history of a previously affected child with severe hypotonia.
- The current infant exhibited significant medical issues including hypotonia, dysmorphia, and multi-system abnormalities from birth.
- The infant was found to have a novel homozygous pathogenic missense variant in the ZNF699 gene.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with DEGCAGS syndrome due to a homozygous missense variant in the ZNF699 gene.
- Clinical examination revealed multi-systemic abnormalities, including previously undocumented visual system disorders.
- This represents the 15th reported case of DEGCAGS syndrome and the first with homozygous ZNF699 missense variants and detailed retinal imaging.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of ZNF699-related DEGCAGS syndrome, particularly regarding ocular manifestations.
- Identifying novel genetic variants aids in accurate diagnosis and genetic counseling for families with DEGCAGS syndrome.
- Further research into ZNF699 function is warranted to elucidate the pathogenesis of DEGCAGS syndrome and associated visual abnormalities.
Purpose:
To describe clinical and ocular abnormalities in a case of Developmental Delay with Gastrointestinal, Cardiovascular, Genitourinary, and Skeletal Abnormalities (DEGCAGS syndrome).
Methods:
A clinical report.
Case Description:
An infant born to a consanguineous Middle Eastern family who was delivered by cesarean section because of in utero growth restriction, premature labor, and breech presentation. Post-partum medical problems included hypotension, generalized hypotonia, bradycardia, apnea requiring resuscitation and positive pressure ventilation, facial dysmorphia, skeletal malformations, and disorders of the gastrointestinal, immune, urinary, respiratory, cardiac, and visual systems. The family reported that a previous child had severe hypotonia at birth and was given the diagnosis of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy; that child remains on a ventilator in a chronic care facility. Our patient was found to be homozygous for a novel pathogenic missense variant in theZNF699 zinc finger gene on chromosome 19p13 causing a syndrome known as Developmental Delay with Gastrointestinal, Cardiovascular, Genitourinary, and Skeletal Abnormalities (DEGCAGS syndrome). We review this variable syndrome, including abnormalities of the visual system not described previously.
Conclusions:
We describe the 15th child to be presumably identified with the DEGCAGS syndrome and the first individual with homozygous missense variants in the ZNF699 gene who had complete clinical examination and detailed retinal imaging.
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