Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2012 | Case report
Frank-ter Haar syndrome associated with sagittal craniosynostosis and raised intracranial pressure
Authors:
Charlotte L Bendon, Aimée L Fenwick, Jane A Hurst, Gudrun Nürnberg, Peter Nürnberg, Steven A Wall, Andrew OM Wilkie, David Johnson
Published in:
BMC Medical Genetics
|
Issue 1/2012
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Abstract
Background
Frank-ter Haar syndrome is a rare disorder associated with skeletal, cardiac, ocular and craniofacial features including hypertelorism and brachycephaly. The most common underlying genetic defect in Frank-ter Haar syndrome appears to be a mutation in the SH3PXD2B gene on chromosome 5q35.1. Craniosynostosis, or premature fusion of the calvarial sutures, has not previously been described in Frank-ter Haar syndrome.
Case presentation
We present a family of three affected siblings born to consanguineous parents with clinical features in keeping with a diagnosis of Frank-ter Haar syndrome. All three siblings have a novel mutation caused by the deletion of exon 13 of the SH3PXD2B gene. Two of the three siblings also have non-scaphocephalic sagittal synostosis associated with raised intracranial pressure.
Conclusion
The clinical features of craniosynostosis and raised intracranial pressure in this family with a confirmed diagnosis of Frank-ter Haar syndrome expand the clinical spectrum of the disease. The abnormal cranial proportions in a mouse model of the disease suggests that the association is not coincidental. The possibility of craniosynostosis should be considered in individuals with a suspected diagnosis of Frank-ter Haar syndrome.