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Biomedical subjects

C J Curry

Publications and source records attributed to C J Curry.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia in the Brachmann-de Lange syndrome.

We present 12 children with typical Brachmann-de Lange syndrome and congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Affected children were more likely to be of low birth weight and to have major upper limb malformations. Hernia repair was attempted in 4 of these children, and only one survived past 12 months. Newborn infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia should be examined carefully for evidence of the Brachmann-de Lange syndrome because diagnosis of this condition may influence their clinical management and prognosis.

De Lange Syndrome↗

Possible association between the hernia of Morgagni and trisomy 21.

Of the 5 liveborn infants with the hernia of Morgagni recorded in the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program, 3 had trisomy 21. This significant association (P < 10(-6)) between the hernia of Morgagni and trisomy 21 may reflect defective dorsoventral migration of rhabdomyoblasts from the paraxial myotomes, caused by increased cellular adhesiveness in trisomy 21.

Cell Movement↗

Familial cases of gastroschisis in a population-based registry.

Only a few familial cases of gastroschisis have been reported. Consequently, the risk of a recurrence has been thought to be very small. In a population-based study of gastroschisis that included an extended pedigree of all probands, 6 (4.7%) out of 127 families had more than one affected relative. The relationships of the affected were: sib, half-sib (2), first cousin, second cousin once removed, and great uncle. Sib recurrence was 3.5%. Our results suggest that pregnancies occurring in a family with a history of gastroschisis may be at higher risk of recurrence than previously thought.

Abdominal Muscles↗

A population-based study of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

From 1983 through 1987, in a California population of 718,208 births, 237 infants were born with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a birth prevalence of 3.30 per 10,000 total births (live births and stillbirths). We proposed that the various types of this defect, characterized by their different pathogeneses, would be reflected in differences in their descriptive epidemiologies. We evaluated various demographic, maternal, and infant characteristics for three major types of defects, the Morgagni hernia, the pars sternalis hernia, and the posterolateral hernia, categorizing the latter type into isolated defect (N = 129), multiple congenital anomalies including nonchromosomal syndromes (N = 86), trisomies (N = 10), and chromosomal anomalies other than trisomies (N = 2). For the posterolateral hernia, we present the distribution of associated anomalies (43%) and specifically of midline defects (19%). Although the number of cases for the Morgagni hernia (N = 5) and the pars sternalis hernia (N = 5) were small, comparisons with the posterolateral hernia suggested lower sex ratios, of borderline significance for the pars sternalis hernia (P < 0.09), and higher mean maternal ages for both groups. Within the posterolateral type, we found a significantly higher male to female ratio (M/F = 1.58) only for the isolated subgroup compared to the population (P < 0.03), and a borderline significant rural/urban difference in prevalences (2.12 vs. 1.45 per 10,000) (P < 0.06). Additionally, the distribution of monthly prevalence rates adjusted for gestational age suggested opposite seasonal trends between the isolated and the other posterolateral hernias; within this latter subgroup the difference between the highest monthly rate (1.68) and the lowest (0.96) was of borderline significance (P < 0.09). Our results suggest the need to consider the respective types and subgroups of CDH separately in epidemiologic studies.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Pregnancy loss, stillbirth, and neonatal death. A guide for the pediatrician.

The complete clinical evaluation of pregnancy loss, stillborn infants, and neonatal deaths can result in the anticipation of an accurate diagnosis in a high percentage of cases. Appropriate focused fetal studies may include a clinical examination, fetal karyotype, photographs, skeletal radiographs, fetal autopsy, examination of the placenta and cord, and occasionally cultures or DNA studies. Knowledge of specific causes of fetal death and their clinical presentation can greatly assist the pediatrician in choosing the most appropriate studies. Many of the disorders leading to fetal death carry significant genetic recurrence risks, making an accurate diagnosis even more crucial. As our understanding of the causes of pregnancy loss improves, so does our ability to provide families with accurate counseling regarding their reproductive options.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Fellowships and career development in dysmorphology and clinical genetics.

This article sets forth some guiding principles for the initiation of a productive and satisfying academic career as a clinical researcher in the areas of dysmorphology, teratology, and clinical genetics. It assumes that the fellow in dysmorphology and clinical genetics is genuinely committed to the pursuit of a career in this area, but these general principles are certainly relevant to other medical specialties. It is important for pediatricians to consider careers in this area because the need for dysmorphologists and clinical geneticists will continue to increase during the foreseeable future, and the current opportunities for such training are limited.

Career Mobility↗

Isolated oral cleft malformations: associations with maternal and infant characteristics in a California population.

Data on isolated oral cleft malformations from a birth defects registry covering a large population base were examined to describe potential associations with maternal and infant characteristics. Infants with cleft palate (CP) were analyzed separately from infants with cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CLP). The prevalence of isolated CLP per 1,000 births was 0.741, approximately twice the prevalence of isolated CP, which was 0.383. Male infants were more likely to be born with CLP (OR = 1.9) but less likely to be born with CP (OR = 0.56) than were females. Women 39 years or more of age were twice as likely as 25-29 year olds to have a child with either type of cleft. Black, nonhispanic infants had a lowered risk for CLP compared to white, nonhispanics (OR = 0.40). These risks were found to be independent of each other based on multivariate analyses. Associations with either type of cleft malformation were not observed for plurality, number of previous live births, and maternal birthplace.

Adult↗

Clinical and molecular diagnosis of Miller-Dieker syndrome.

We report results of clinical, cytogenetic, and molecular studies in 27 patients with Miller-Dieker syndrome (MDS) from 25 families. All had severe type I lissencephaly with grossly normal cerebellum and a distinctive facial appearance consisting of prominent forehead, bitemporal hollowing, short nose with upturned nares, protuberant upper lip, thin vermilion border, and small jaw. Several other abnormalities, especially growth deficiency, were frequent but not constant. Chromosome analysis showed deletion of band 17p13 in 14 of 25 MDS probands. RFLP and somatic cell hybrid studies using probes from the 17p13.3 region including pYNZ22 (D17S5), pYNH37 (D17S28), and p144-D6 (D17S34) detected deletions in 19 of 25 probands tested including seven in whom chromosome analysis was normal. When the cytogenetic and molecular data are combined, deletions were detected in 21 of 25 probands. Parental origin of de novo deletions was determined in 11 patients. Paternal origin occurred in seven and maternal origin in four. Our demonstration of cytogenetic or molecular deletions in 21 of 25 MDS probands proves that deletion of a "critical region" comprising two or more genetic loci within band 17p13.3 is the cause of the MDS phenotype. We suspect that the remaining patients have smaller deletions involving the proposed critical region which are not detected with currently available probes.

Brain↗

Central nervous system damage and other anomalies in surviving fetus following second trimester antenatal death of co-twin. Report of four cases and literature review.

Four cases of multiple gestation with second trimester death of one fetus and subsequent damage to a survivor are reported. Monochorionic placentation was documented in three of the cases. Central nervous system lesions occurred in all cases, and bowel injury was noted in two of the damaged fetuses. Although rare maternal clotting problems have been reported in similar situations, none was noted in any of these four cases. Prior reports have indicated that losses in the first half of gestation were of no consequence to the surviving fetuses. These four cases contradict this suggestion, and indicate that close sonographic observation of the survivors is important in any multiple gestation where on fetus has died.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Rothmund-Thomson syndrome associated with trisomy 8 mosaicism.

This report describes a boy with Rothmund-Thomson syndrome associated with trisomy 8 mosaicism. The patient presented with typical features of Rothmund-Thomson syndrome but some of the features often seen in trisomy 8 mosaics were also observed in him. The possibility that the two disorders might share a common pathogenesis is postulated.

Child↗

A protocol for the investigation of pregnancy loss.

A protocol for the evaluation of pregnancy loss should include a maternal history, dysmorphic examination of the fetus or abortus, photographs, autopsy, chromosome studies (in most cases), and radiographic or xeroradiographic studies. Selected cases with suspected ascending or transplacental infection may require microbiologic investigation. Increasing specialized laboratory techniques may help in the diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism or storage disorders. Coordination of studies requires the interaction of OB/GYN, pathology, genetics, cytogenetics, and nursing in order to assure delivery of this clinical service. Knowledge of the causes of pregnancy loss and their typical time and mode of presentation can facilitate a focused evaluation, with a high chance of achieving an accurate diagnosis. The goal of all investigations is to provide families with recurrence risk data on which to base future childbearing decisions, as well as information on potential prenatal monitoring.

Clinical Protocols↗

Diagnostic criteria for Walker-Warburg syndrome.

Walker-Warburg syndrome (WWS) is an autosomal recessive disorder manifest by characteristic brain and eye malformations. We reviewed data on 21 of our patients and an additional 42 patients from the literature. From this review, we expand the phenotype to include congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) and cleft lip and/or palate (CLP), and revise the diagnostic criteria. Four abnormalities were present in all patients checked for these anomalies: type II lissencephaly (21/21), cerebellar malformation (20/20), retinal malformation (18/18), and CMD (14/14). We propose that these comprise necessary and sufficient diagnostic criteria for WWS. Two other frequently observed abnormalities, ventricular dilatation with or without hydrocephalus (20/21) and anterior chamber malformation (16/21), are helpful but not necessary diagnostic criteria because they were not constant. All other abnormalities occurred less frequently. Congenital macrocephaly with hydrocephalus (11/19) was more common than congenital microcephaly (3/19). Dandy-Walker malformation (10/19) was sometimes associated with posterior cephalocele (5/21). Additional abnormalities included slit-like ventricles (1/21), microphthalmia (8/21), ocular colobomas (3/15), congenital cataracts (7/20), genital anomalies in males (5/8), and CLP (4/21). Median survival in our series was 9 months. A related autosomal recessive disorder, Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy, consists of similar but less severe brain changes and CMD. It differs from WWS because of consistently less frequent and severe cerebellar and retinal abnormalities. We think that WWS is identical to "cerebro-oculo-muscular syndrome" and "muscle, eye, and brain disease."

Brain↗

Male infant with ichthyosis, Kallmann syndrome, chondrodysplasia punctata, and an Xp chromosome deletion.

We report on a male infant with X-linked ichthyosis, X-linked Kallmann syndrome, and X-linked recessive chondrodysplasia punctata (CPXR). Chromosome analysis showed a terminal deletion with a breakpoint at Xp22.31, inherited maternally. This patient confirms the localization of XLI, XLK, and CPXR to this region of the X chromosome and represents an example of a "contiguous gene syndrome." A comparison of the manifestations of patients with CPXR, warfarin embryopathy, and vitamin K epoxide reductase deficiency shows a remarkable similarity. However, vitamin K epoxide reductase deficiency does not appear to be the cause of CPXR. We propose that CPXR may be due to a defect in a vitamin K-dependent bone protein such as vitamin K-dependent bone carboxylase, osteocalcin, or matrix Gla protein.

Chondrodysplasia Punctata↗

ATFresno: a phenotype linking ataxia-telangiectasia with the Nijmegen breakage syndrome.

This report describes twin girls with typical features of ataxia-telangiectasia, including increased alpha-fetoprotein, radio-resistant DNA synthesis, characteristic chromosome abnormality, and immunodeficiency. They have, in addition, microcephaly and mental retardation. Complementation studies were performed utilizing Sendai virus--mediated fusion of fibroblast cell lines. Complementation was observed with patients in ataxia-telangiectasia complementation groups A, C, and E but not with the cell line from a patient with the Nijmegen breakage syndrome, in which patients have microcephaly, radio-resistant DNA synthesis, chromosome aberrations, and immunodeficiency but lack ataxia and telangiectasia. These data suggest that the Nijmegen breakage syndrome and the patients described here are not genetically distinct entities but form a spectrum of one disorder.

Ataxia Telangiectasia↗