A severe case of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) with some uncommon clinical features and a short 4q35 fragment

Abstract

Severe and early facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is relatively rare. In this report, we describe a case of severe, infantile onset FSHD in a patient with asymmetric progressive ptosis and early hyperlordosis. DNA analysis revealed a very short 4q35 allele of 8.6 kb and a somatic mosaicism for the 4q35 deletion detected in a subclinically affected parent of the patient. This case demonstrates difficulties in the management of abnormal posture, especially early hyperlordosis in children with this disorder.