Costello Syndromes Research Articles

Mid-term Results of Double Chamber Right Ventricle in Association with Genetic Syndromes

Double chamber right ventricle (DCRV) is a congenital disease in which a hypertrophied muscle band divides the right ventricle chamber into two. The early-mid-term follow-up of 6 patients with DCRV and distant genetic syndromes is reported in this paper. A retrospective analysis was performed of 6 DRCV patients with a mean age of 3.9±1.4 years. Concomitant cardiac anomalies were perimembranous ventricular septal defect (n=3), atrial septal defect (n=1), mild aortic regurgitation (n=1), discrete subaortic membrane (n=1). Associated genetic syndromes were Costello (n=1), Seckel (n=1) and Down syndromes (n=4). The mean follow-up period was 4.86±4.6 years. Mean systolic pressure gradient in the right ventricle in the postoperative was 18.5±11.5 mmHg. No mortality occurred and there was no requirement for reintervention. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in literature of concomitant DCRV with Costello and Seckel syndromes.

Cardio-Facio-Cutaneous Syndrome with an Unusual Presentation of Respiratory Failure Requiring Tracheostomy and Long-term Ventilation

Cardio-facio-cutaenous (CFC) syndrome is a phenotypically diverse disorder that is caused by mutations in the RAS/MEK/ERK signaling pathway, sharing many clinical similarities with Noonan and Costello syndromes. Classic findings of CFC include congenital cardiac anomalies, dysmorphic facial features, dermatological manifestations, and other multisystemic abnormalities. Laryngomalacia, generalized muscle weakness, and hypotonia have been reported phenotypical variants of the disorder. We describe a case of a male newborn with a genetic diagnosis of CFC syndrome who presented with respiratory failure requiring tracheostomy placement and chronic ventilation

De novo variants of dominant monogenic disorders in Vietnam detected by a noninvasive prenatal test: a case series.

Background: Noninvasive prenatal tests for monogenic diseases (NIPT-SGG) have recently been reported as helpful in early-stage antenatal screening. Ourstudy describes the clinical and genetic features of cases identified by NIPT-SGG. Materials & methods: In a cohort pregnancy with abnormal sonograms, affected cases were confirmed by invasive diagnostic testsconcurrently, with NIPT-SGG targeting 25 common dominant single-gene diseases. Results: A total of 13single-gene fetuses were confirmed, including Noonan and Costello syndromes, thanatophoric dysplasia, achondroplasia, osteogenesis imperfectaand Apert syndrome. Two novel variants seenwere tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC2 c.4154G>A) and Alagille syndrome (JAG1 c.3452del). Conclusion: NIPT-SGG and standard tests agreeon the results for 13 fetuses with monogenic disorders. This panel method ofscreening can benefit high-risk Vietnamese pregnancies, butfurther research is encouraged to expand on the causative gene panel.

Syndromic forms of congenital hyperinsulinism.

Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI), also called hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (HH), is a very heterogeneous condition and represents the most common cause of severe and persistent hypoglycemia in infancy and childhood. The majority of cases in which a genetic cause can be identified have monogenic defects affecting pancreatic β-cells and their glucose-sensing system that regulates insulin secretion. However, CHI/HH has also been observed in a variety of syndromic disorders. The major categories of syndromes that have been found to be associated with CHI include overgrowth syndromes (e.g. Beckwith-Wiedemann and Sotos syndromes), chromosomal and monogenic developmental syndromes with postnatal growth failure (e.g. Turner, Kabuki, and Costello syndromes), congenital disorders of glycosylation, and syndromic channelopathies (e.g. Timothy syndrome). This article reviews syndromic conditions that have been asserted by the literature to be associated with CHI. We assess the evidence of the association, as well as the prevalence of CHI, its possible pathophysiology and its natural course in the respective conditions. In many of the CHI-associated syndromic conditions, the mechanism of dysregulation of glucose-sensing and insulin secretion is not completely understood and not directly related to known CHI genes. Moreover, in most of those syndromes the association seems to be inconsistent and the metabolic disturbance is transient. However, since neonatal hypoglycemia is an early sign of possible compromise in the newborn, which requires immediate diagnostic efforts and intervention, this symptom may be the first to bring a patient to medical attention. As a consequence, HH in a newborn or infant with associated congenital anomalies or additional medical issues remains a differential diagnostic challenge and may require a broad genetic workup.

How common are ear, nose and throat disorders in children with Noonan syndrome and other RASopathies?

Noonan syndrome and related conditions (RASopathies) are known to be associated with abnormalities in many organ systems. It is our impression that few otolaryngologists are familiar with the manifestations of these syndromes and we therefore reviewed our hospital's patient cohort to identify the prevalence of ear, nose and throat disorders in these children. We cross-referenced various hospital department databases (otolaryngology, audiology, cardiology, haematology and genetics) to try to identify as many children with Noonan and other RASopathies as possible. We then performed a retrospective review of electronic patient records. We identified 67 children with Noonan, Costello, LEOPARD and other RASopathy syndromes. Around half have been seen in otolaryngology and audiology clinics. Otitis media with effusion requiring ventilation tubes occurred in 4% of children. 10% have suffered recurrent acute otitis media. 9% have a sensorineural hearing loss. 7% have undergone adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnoea. Airway anomalies and head and neck malformations occur but are rare. Children with Noonan and other RASopathies present commonly to otolaryngology and audiology clinics. The prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss is high and audiological screening is likely to be worthwhile. Surgeons should be aware that complications of surgery are common and can be very severe, especially in those with cardiac anomalies.

Fore-arm rhabdomyosarcoma in neurofibromatosis type 1: A unique case

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the commonest soft sarcoma in kids, with alveolar and embryonal variants distinguishable by histopathology and, more significantly, molecular biology. RMS occurs intermittently in a substantial proportion of cases without a predisposing condition. Nevertheless, it is well established that certain hereditary factors enhance the likelihood of developing RMS. Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome, Gorlin syndrome, Costello, NF1, and Li Fraumeni syndromes are some of them. These syndromes present with RMS during childhood.A 47-year-old female with NF 1 discovered a lump in her right forearm one year prior to presentation. When the patient noticed ulceration on the swelling, she sought medical attention. A tumor was detected in the center of the right forearm via MRI, and it was suspected to be a cystic or myxoid soft-tissue tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma or a peripheral neural tumor. We classified the tumor as stage 4 due to axillary lymph node involvement and lung metastasis. Histopathology confirmed rhabdomyosarcoma. The patient then received radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and her tumor went into remission.After confirming NF1 syndrome, we advise patients to adhere to the standard cancer screening protocol. The screening would assist in the earlier diagnosis of tumors, leading to a reduction in complications.

Abstract NG08: Oncoprotein duality in cancer and developmental syndromes: Lessons learned from RAS GTPases

Abstract NG08: Oncoprotein duality in cancer and developmental syndromes: Lessons learned from RAS GTPases

Overlapping phenotypes between SHORT and Noonan syndromes in patients with PTPN11 pathogenic variants.

Overlapping syndromes such as Noonan, Cardio-Facio-Cutaneous, Noonan syndrome (NS) with multiple lentigines and Costello syndromes are genetically heterogeneous conditions sharing a dysregulation of the RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and are known collectively as the RASopathies. PTPN11 was the first disease-causing gene identified in NS and remains the more prevalent. We report seven patients from three families presenting heterozygous missense variants in PTPN11 probably responsible for a disease phenotype distinct from the classical Noonan syndrome. The clinical presentation and common features of these seven cases overlap with the SHORT syndrome. The latter is the consequence of PI3K/AKT signaling deregulation with the predominant disease-causing gene being PIK3R1. Our data suggest that the phenotypic spectrum associated with pathogenic variants of PTPN11 could be wider than previously described, and this could be due to the dual activity of SHP2 (ie, PTPN11 gene product) on the RAS/MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling.

RAS pathway influences the number of melanocytic nevi in cardiofaciocutaneous and Costello syndromes

To the Editor: The number of melanocytic nevi is one of the strongest risk factors for melanoma,1 yet the reasons for the interpersonal variability in this number are largely unknown. Both nevi and melanoma show somatic mutations in the RAS pathway components, most commonly in BRAF.2 Germline mutations in these same genes cause a group of developmental syndromes termed RASopathies,3 some of which characteristically display melanocytic nevi.4 However, the effects of germline RAS pathway mutations on the number of nevi are poorly understood.

Anesthetic Management of a Pediatric Patient With Cardiofaciocutaneous Syndrome.

Cardiofaciocutaneous (CFC) syndrome is a rare condition characterized by congenital heart disease, craniofacial dysmorphology, and dermatological abnormalities. CFC syndrome is one of the RASopathies, a family of syndromes that also includes Noonan and Costello syndromes, all with underlying gene mutations involving the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. Important considerations for anesthesiologists caring for these patients include the need to evaluate for possible cardiac defects, anticipating and planning for potentially difficult airway management, and the consideration of potential weakness of the respiratory muscles. Musculoskeletal abnormalities, such as muscle weakness and decreased muscle mass, are observed in all RASopathies, but are particularly prominent in CFC syndrome. In patients with CFC syndrome who experience respiratory muscle weakness, the use of desflurane and remifentanil may aid in a faster recovery and effectively help reduce the risk of respiratory complications, such as respiratory depression, following general anesthesia because of their rapid metabolism or elimination.

Paternal age is affected by genetic abnormalities, perinatal complications and mental health of the offspring.

Infertility and fecundity problems concern 10-18% of partners in their reproductive years compromising around one million females and males in Poland. Research and analysis of factors that affect male fertility are limited, especially, regarding the age of the father and determining the age at which quality of semen decreases. Age of the father has greater impact than maternal age, on cases of sporadic autosomal dominant congenital diseases such as Apert, Crouzon, Pfeiffer, Noonan and Costello syndromes, multiple endocrine neoplasia (types 2A and 2B) and achondroplasia. However, there are only a few reports taking paternal advanced age into consideration for pre-mature birth, low Apgar scores or admission to a neonatal intensive care department. Paternal age increases the frequency of congenital diseases such as heart malformations as well as oral, palate and lip cleft. Moreover, mental disorders (autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, low IQ level as well as ADHD) also occur more frequently in advanced father's age. Advanced paternal age is defined differently in every research. It depends on disorders in offspring we are talking about. Paternal age has an impact on child's health and development and it is as significant as maternal age, when it comes to reproductive matters.

416 Regulation of the number of melanocytic nevi by the RAS pathway in cardio-facio-cutaneous and Costello syndromes

416 Regulation of the number of melanocytic nevi by the RAS pathway in cardio-facio-cutaneous and Costello syndromes

Selfish mutations dysregulating RAS-MAPK signaling are pervasive in aged human testes.

Mosaic mutations present in the germline have important implications for reproductive risk and disease transmission. We previously demonstrated a phenomenon occurring in the male germline, whereby specific mutations arising spontaneously in stem cells (spermatogonia) lead to clonal expansion, resulting in elevated mutation levels in sperm over time. This process, termed “selfish spermatogonial selection,” explains the high spontaneous birth prevalence and strong paternal age-effect of disorders such as achondroplasia and Apert, Noonan and Costello syndromes, with direct experimental evidence currently available for specific positions of six genes (FGFR2, FGFR3, RET, PTPN11, HRAS, and KRAS). We present a discovery screen to identify novel mutations and genes showing evidence of positive selection in the male germline, by performing massively parallel simplex PCR using RainDance technology to interrogate mutational hotspots in 67 genes (51.5 kb in total) in 276 biopsies of testes from five men (median age, 83 yr). Following ultradeep sequencing (about 16,000×), development of a low-frequency variant prioritization strategy, and targeted validation, we identified 61 distinct variants present at frequencies as low as 0.06%, including 54 variants not previously directly associated with selfish selection. The majority (80%) of variants identified have previously been implicated in developmental disorders and/or oncogenesis and include mutations in six newly associated genes (BRAF, CBL, MAP2K1, MAP2K2, RAF1, and SOS1), all of which encode components of the RAS-MAPK pathway and activate signaling. Our findings extend the link between mutations dysregulating the RAS-MAPK pathway and selfish selection, and show that the aging male germline is a repository for such deleterious mutations.

Craniofacial and cutaneous findings in Noonan, Costello and LEOPARD syndromes.

Noonan, Costello and LEOPARD syndromes belong to a family of cardiofaciocutaneous disorders and share common genetic traits. As they are associated with a germline mutation in genes encoding proteins involved in RAS/MAPK, patients suffering from these syndromes are at a greater risk of cancer and abnormal myelopoiesis in infancy. Patients with cardio faciocutaneous syndromes share some clinically overlapping syndromes, therefore differential diagnosis can be problematic. In this paper we aim at demonstrating distinctive craniofacial and cutaneous manifestations of Noonan, Costello and LEOPARD syndromes which can be useful for clinicians who aim at treatment of children with rare diseases.

FOXI2: a possible gene contributing to ectodermal dysplasia.

Cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome (CFC), Noonan syndrome (NS), and Costello syndrome are a group of diseases that belong to the RASopathies. The syndromes share clinical features making diagnosis a challenge. To investigate the phenotype and genotype of a 10-year-old Iraqi girl with overlapping features of CFC, NS, and Costello syndromes, with additional features of ectodermal dysplasia. DNA was examined by exome sequencing and protein expression by immunohistochemistry. Exome sequencing identified a mutation in the SOS1 gene and a de novo deletion in the FOXI2 gene which was neither present in the international databases, nor in 400 chromosomes from the same population. Based on immunohistochemical staining, FOXI2 was identified in the basal cell layer of the skin and overlapped with the expression of P63, a major player in ectodermal dysplasia. We therefore suggest screening for FOXI2 mutation in the setting of ectodermal features that are not associated with genes known to contribute to ectodermal dysplasia.

Autism spectrum disorder and other neurobehavioural comorbidities in rare disorders of the Ras/MAPK pathway.

To investigate the cognitive and behavioural phenotype in rare disorders of the Ras/MAPK pathway, namely Noonan, cardiofaciocutaneous (CFC), and Costello syndromes, particularly prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Fifty children were recruited over 10 months through the regional genetics service and advertisements. A range of parent, child, and observational measures were administered including Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale. Using the Collaborative Programme for Excellence in Autism criteria, 12 out of 40 children with Noonan syndrome (30%) showed ASD, and 12 out of 40 (30%) with partial ASD features and 16 out of 40 (40%) showed non-ASD. The Noonan syndrome ASD group showed male dominance in a ratio of 5:1. In the CFC group, eight out of nine children met the criteria for ASD, with equal sex distribution. Additionally 19 out of 40 (48%) of the Noonan syndrome group and eight out of nine (88.9%) of the CFC group scored met clinical criteria for ADHD. Only one child was in the Costello syndrome group. This is the first systematic study to suggest a high prevalence of ASD in Noonan and CFC syndromes, and thus offers crucial evidence to support the importance of the Ras/MAPK pathway in the aetiology of ASD. Limitations include the inevitable possibility of a sampling bias in a rare disorder study of this kind.

Objective studies of the face of Noonan, Cardio-facio-cutaneous, and Costello syndromes: A comparison of three disorders of the Ras/MAPK signaling pathway.

Noonan, Cardio-facio-cutaneous, and Costello syndromes are disorders of the Ras/MAPK pathway that share many clinical features. This observational and anthropometric study was conducted to describe the key facial features of each syndrome in order to improve discrimination between the three conditions, particularly in young children where diagnosis is most challenging. Direct measurement of the head and face was used to enhance diagnostic accuracy, and identify the most unusual or specific dimensions. The Noonan syndrome cohort included 123 individuals, aged 6 months to 41 years. There were 20 children and adolescents with Cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome, and 28 individuals with Costello syndrome, aged 1-32 years. The facial phenotypes of these syndromes, particularly Noonan syndrome, are well-described but objective data have not been published in peer-reviewed literature. In this study, subjective observations, in the main, were validated by anthropometry with one exception. In individuals with Costello syndrome, mouth width was normal, thus the impression of wide mouth is likely due to full lips or the mouth being viewed in relation to a narrow lower face. When the three conditions were compared objectively, syndrome-specific pattern profiles showed high concordance in early life. At older ages, Cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome was distinguished by increased width of the mid/lower face, and reduced growth of maxillary and mandibular dimensions was noted in both Noonan and Costello syndromes. Despite substantial similarities in face shape in older individuals with these two conditions, bulbous nasal tip, full lips, and an apparently wide mouth in those with Costello Syndrome facilitate discrimination from Noonan syndrome. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Identification of Somatic KRAS Mutation in a Korean Baby with Nevus Sebaceus Syndrome

Identification of Somatic <i>KRAS</i> Mutation in a Korean Baby with Nevus Sebaceus Syndrome

Hydrops fetalis in a preterm newborn heterozygous for the c.4A&gt;G SHOC2 mutation

Fetal hydrops is a condition resulting from interstitial fluid accumulation in fetal compartments secondary to increased capillary permeability and characterized by high rates of perinatal mortality and morbidity. Clinical features include skin edema, hydrothorax, pericardial effusion, ascites with or without polyhydramnios, and placental edema. While it may occur as associated feature in multiple disorders, it has been documented to recur in Noonan syndrome, the most common disorder among RASopathies, but also in cardiofaciocutaneous and Costello syndromes. Here, we report on the occurrence of severe hydrops in a newborn heterozygous for the invariant c.4A>G missense change in SHOC2 which underlies Noonan-like syndrome with loose anagen hair, documenting that it represents a clinically relevant complication in this condition, shared by RASopathies.

My memories of Professor Giovanni Neri: The cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome (CFC)

My memories of Professor Giovanni Neri: The cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome (CFC)