Kagami–Ogata syndrome: a case report

Kagami–Ogata syndrome is a rare genetic imprinting disorder involving the 14q32.2 genomic location of chromosome 14. The estimated incidence is less than 1 per 1 million. Here we report a male neonate with Kagami–Ogata syndrome presenting with severe respiratory distress requiring mechanical ventilation since birth.

A Sri Lankan male neonate born at term via caesarean section to a mother with type 1 diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism developed respiratory distress immediately after birth. On examination, the baby had facial dysmorphism with a hirsute forehead, full cheeks, flat nasal bridge, elongated protruding philtrum, and micrognathia. His chest was small and bell shaped, and he had severe intercostal and subcostal recessions. His abdominal wall was lax and thin, with evidence of divarication of the recti. Bowel peristalsis was easily visible through the abdominal wall. The chest x-ray showed narrowing of the rib cage with crowding of the ribs in a “coat-hanger” appearance. The coat-hanger angle was 32°, and the mid-to-widest thoracic diameter was 68%. On the basis of facial dysmorphism, chest and anterior abdominal wall abnormalities, coat-hanger appearance of the rib cage, increased coat-hanger angle, and reduced mid-to-widest thoracic diameter, a clinical diagnosis of Kagami–Ogata syndrome was made. Owing to severe respiratory distress, the baby required intubation and ventilation immediately after birth. He was ventilator-dependent for 3 weeks; however, he was successfully weaned off the ventilator on day 22 after several failed extubation attempts. At 3-month follow-up, he had generalized hypotonia and mild global developmental delay. His developmental age corresponded to 2 months.

We report a patient with Kagami–Ogata syndrome presenting with respiratory distress immediately after birth. This case report highlights the importance of being aware of this rare condition, which could present as severe respiratory distress in term and preterm newborns. A positive diagnosis could avoid unnecessary treatment and aid in accurate prognostication.