Left Ventricular Non-compaction: Is It Genetic?

Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is reported to affect 0.14 % of the pediatric population. The etiology is heterogeneous and includes a wide number of genetic causes. As an illustration, we report two patients with LVNC who were diagnosed with a genetic syndrome. We then review the literature and suggest a diagnostic algorithm to evaluate individuals with LVNC. Case 1 is a 15-month-old girl who presented with hypotonia, global developmental delay, congenital heart defect (including LVNC) and facial dysmorphism. Case 2 is a 7-month-old girl with hypotonia, seizures, laryngomalacia and LVNC. We performed chromosomal microarray for both our patients and detected chromosome 1p36 microdeletion. We reviewed the literature for other genetic causes of LVNC and formulated a diagnostic algorithm, which includes assessment for syndromic disorders, inborn error of metabolism, copy number variants and non-syndromic monogenic disorder associated with LVNC. LVNC is a relatively newly recognized entity, with heterogeneity in underlying etiology. For a systematic approach of evaluating the underlying cause to improve clinical care of these patients, a diagnostic algorithm for genetic evaluation of patients with LVNC is proposed.

Novel mutations in the ciliopathy-associated gene CPLANE1 (C5orf42) cause OFD syndrome type VI rather than Joubert syndrome.

Mutations in CPLANE1 (previously known as C5orf42) cause Oral-Facial-Digital Syndrome type VI (OFD6) as well as milder Joubert syndrome (JS) phenotypes. Seven new cases from five unrelated families diagnosed with pure OFD6 were systematically examined. Based on the clinical manifestations of these patients and those described in the literature, we revised the diagnostic features of OFD6 and include the seven most common characteristics: 1) molar tooth sign, 2) tongue hamartoma and/or lobulated tongue, 3) additional frenula, 4) mesoaxial polydactyly of hands, 5) preaxial polydactyly of feet, 6) syndactyly and/or bifid toe, and 7) hypothalamic hamartoma. By whole or targeted exome sequencing, we identified seven novel germline recessive mutations in CPLANE1, including missense, nonsense, frameshift and canonical splice site variants, all causing OFD6 in these patients. Since CPLANE1 is also mutated in JS patients, we examined whether a genotype-phenotype correlation could be established. We gathered and compared 46 biallelic CPLANE1 mutations reported in 32 JS and 26 OFD6 patients. Since no clear correlation between paired genotypes and clinical outcomes could be determined, we concluded that patient's genetic background and gene modifiers may modify the penetrance and expressivity of CPLANE1 causal alleles. To conclude, our study provides a comprehensive view of the phenotypic range, the genetic basis and genotype-phenotype association in OFD6 and JS. The updated phenotype scoring system together with the identification of new CPLANE1 mutations will help clinicians and geneticists reach a more accurate diagnosis for JS-related disorders.