1.
Pediatr Neurol
; 45(3): 185-8, 2011 Sep.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21824568
ABSTRACT
Pontocerebellar hypoplasia exhibits a diverse range of etiologies, including six known autosomal recessive, single gene disorders. We describe a molecularly confirmed case of pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 4, a rare and severe neonatal phenotype with a novel TSEN54 mutation, presenting with polyhydramnios, hypertonia, and early neonatal death. The patient manifested severe hypoplasia of the cerebellum and brainstem. The neuropathologic findings in pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 4 develop late in gestation, and therefore prenatal diagnosis with ultrasonography is of limited use. Establishing a molecular diagnosis in the proband is critical for allowing couples to plan future pregnancies.