Restrictive dermopathy--a lethal congenital laminopathy. Case report and review of the literature.

Restrictive dermopathy (RD) is a rare, fatal, and genetically heterogeneous laminopathy with a predominant autosomal recessive heredity pattern. The phenotype can be caused by mutations in either LMNA (primary laminopathy) or ZMPSTE24 (secondary laminopathy) genes but mostly by homozygous or compound heterozygous ZMPSTE24 mutations. Clinicopathologic findings are unique, allowing a specific diagnosis in most cases. We describe a premature newborn girl of non-consanguineous parents who presented a rigid, translucent and tightly adherent skin, dysmorphic facies, multiple joint contractures and radiological abnormalities. The overall clinical, radiological, histological, and ultrastructural features were typical of restrictive dermopathy. Molecular genetic analysis revealed a homozygous ZMPSTE24 mutation (c.1085_1086insT). Parents and sister were heterozygous asymptomatic carriers. We conclude that RD is a relatively easy and consistent clinical and pathological diagnosis. Despite recent advances in our understanding of RD, the pathogenetic mechanisms of the disease are not entirely clarified. Recognition of RD and molecular genetic diagnosis are important to define the prognosis of an affected child and for recommending genetic counseling to affected families. However, the outcome for a live born patient in the neonatal period is always fatal.

Bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria and chromosome 1 anomaly.

Polymalformative syndromes are always a clinical challenge for their complexity and sometimes for their rarity. Authors present the case of a girl with peculiar facies, macrocephaly, axial hypotonia, and severe development delay. Cerebral magnetic resonance showed polymicrogyria. Cytogenetics revealed a 46,XX,der(1)(qter-->p36.13::q42.3-->qter) karyotype. This is the third case described to date. Isolated partial deletions or trisomy, although rare, are more frequently reported. None of these genetic findings has ever been related with polymicrogyria. Molecular cytogenetic characterization was in this case of great value.