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Biomedical subjects

U G Froster

Publications and source records attributed to U G Froster.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Prenatal diagnosis of del(15)(q26.1) and del(18)(q21.3) due to an unbalanced de novo translocation: ultrasound, molecular cytogenetic and autopsy findings.

A case of partial deletion of the distal parts of chromosomes 15 and 18 [(15)(q26.1)(18)(q21.3)] due to a de novo translocation is reported. Cordocentesis and fetal karyotyping was done because of severe oligohydramnios and bilateral absence of kidneys. Renal defects are a frequent finding in fetuses with different chromosomal anomalies; this particular chromosomal rearrangement however has not been reported yet in a fetus with bilateral renal agenesis. FISH was performed for detailed clarification of the chromosomal anomaly. Prenatal karyotyping appears to be important in fetuses with renal agenesis.

Adult↗

De novo complete trisomy 5p: clinical report and FISH studies.

We describe a de novo trisomy 5p in a 1-year-old severely retarded boy. The complete short arm of chromosome 5 segregated as an additional marker chromosome in all metaphases. The marker was identified as 5p by conventional cytogenetic techniques (GTG, GBG, CBG) and molecular cytogenetic techniques (whole chromosome-painting probe, probes for the cri-du-chat region and the centromere, and additionally high-resolution multicolor banding using a chromosome 5-specific DNA probe cocktail). The clinical findings were similar to the established trisomy 5p phenotype including macrocephaly, facial abnormalities, tracheobronchial defects with subsequent respiratory infections, hypotonia, and psychomotor retardation. To the best of our knowledge this is the first description of an isolated complete 5p trisomy without involvement of the aberrant chromosome in any structural chromosomal rearrangements.

Centromere↗

Pitfalls in prenatal diagnosis of DMD due to placental mosaicism of the X-chromosomes: prenatal and postnatal findings in a fetus with a deletion of exons 67-71 of the dystrophin gene.

Prenatal diagnosis of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD) is performed as a routine procedure in many laboratories. The major potential problem is an incorrect diagnosis that could be obtained due to contamination with maternal tissue. We report a case of mosaicism of the X-chromosomes confined to the placenta as a possible source of confusing results in prenatal diagnosis of DMD. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of this problem in a prenatal DMD diagnosis.

Abortion, Induced↗

Prenatal detection of a giant bilateral thoracic vascular lesion: prognostic evaluation and genetic aspects.

We describe a giant bilateral vascular mass in the skin of the chest diagnosed by ultrasound investigation in a fetus of 20 gestational weeks. Ultrasound and colour Doppler investigations detected no signs of early congestive heart failure but rapid and excessive enlargement of the vascular mass. Indications of increased fetal blood volume were found. The fetus had additional minor anomalies. Early in utero manifestation suggests a severe vascular malformation.

Amniocentesis↗

Microcephaly-lymphedema syndrome: report of a family with short stature as additional manifestation.

Patients with the rare autosomal dominant microcephaly-lymphedema syndrome have apparently normal intelligence. We report on a boy with microcephaly, lymphedema, and short stature as an additional manifestation. The family history of our patient suggests autosomal dominant inheritance with reduced penetrance and variable expressivity. However, X-linked inheritance cannot be excluded.

Adult↗

Lethal multiple pterygium syndrome: suggestion for a consistent pathological workup and review of reported cases.

We report on 2 brothers with lethal multiple pterygium syndrome (LMPS) born to non-consanguineous parents as late spontaneous abortions. Both fetuses presented with massive nuchal edema, and facial anomalies including cleft palate and broad ribs. Apparently, several subgroups of LMPS exist. Differentiation is difficult, as there is no consistent agreement on a workup protocol for autopsies. We compared the findings in the literature on cases with LMPS, and we suggest a standardized workup as an initial step for more efficient differentiation between various subgroups.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

VACTERL with hydrocephalus and branchial arch defects: prenatal, clinical, and autopsy findings in two brothers.

VACTERL association is defined as a combination of vertebral, anal, cardiac, tracheoesophageal, renal and limb anomalies, in particular radial defects. In recent years hydrocephalus was observed in patients with apparent VACTERL association. This particular condition was recognized as a hereditary entity with poor prognosis. Both autosomal recessive and X-linked forms were described. Here we report prenatal, clinical and autopsy findings in 2 brothers with this syndrome, who had, in addition, branchial arch anomalies. The recurrence in this family suggests X-linked inheritance. Branchial arch defects have so far not been described as part of the VACTERL+H syndrome. This observation further supports that a variety of brain anomalies including hydrocephalus associated with VACTERL anomalies represents separate entities with a considerable recurrence risk. The use of the term VACTERL "association" for these conditions is misleading and is discouraged.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Diaphragmatic defects, limb deficiencies, and ossification defects of the skull: a distinctive malformation syndrome.

We report on prenatal and postnatal findings in 4 consecutive fetuses with a pattern of severe congenital anomalies who were born to a healthy nonconsanguineous couple. The spectrum of malformations includes diaphragmatic defects, hypoplastic lungs, omphalocele, limb deficiencies, syndactyly of toes, and ossification defects of the skull. This specific spectrum of anomalies is not fully compatible with that of any established syndrome. No prenatal exposure to any possible teratogen was found. Family history is suggestive for autosomal recessive inheritance, even though germ-line mosaicism in one of the parents cannot completely be excluded.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Limb defects and chorionic villus sampling: results from an international registry, 1992-94.

BACKGROUND: Several reports of limb defects occurring among infants exposed to chorionic villus sampling (CVS) during pregnancy resulted in concern about the safety of this procedure for prenatal diagnosis. To avoid publication bias and evaluate the true risk of limb defects in a CVS cohort, the World Health Organization initiated international registration of post-CVS limb defects in 1992. METHODS: From May, 1992, to May, 1994, 77 infants or fetuses with limb defects from 138 996 pregnancies having CVS were reported to the WHO CVS Registry. These cases were analysed by standardised methods-ie, exclusion of syndromes, inherited disorders, and defects occurring in previable fetuses. The included limb deficiencies were studied by pattern analysis. FINDINGS: Defects of the upper limbs were reported in 64.6%, of the lower limbs in 12.5%, and of both upper and lower limbs in 20.8% of cases. These figures are in agreement with the distribution of limb defects in several large population-based studies. Transverse limb defects occurred in 40.8% and longitudinal defects in 59.2%, compared with 42.7% and 57.3% in an unexposed population. INTERPRETATION: The analysis of this cohort did not show any differences from the background population in the overall frequency or pattern distribution of limb deficiencies. There was also no correlation between gestational age at CVS and severity of defects. Therefore these results do not indicate any increased risk of limb defects after CVS.

Arm↗

Bilateral brachial amelia, facial clefts, encephalocele, orbital cyst and omphalocele: a recurrent fetal malformation pattern coming into focus.

Ultrasonographic and pathoanatomical features of a fetus displaying bilateral brachial amelia, complex facial clefting, encephalocele and omphalocele are described. The findings are compared with the few previously published cases. Bilateral brachial amelia with complex other organ malformations in previable fetuses may be more frequently diagnosed with improving prenatal ultrasonography.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

[Genetic risks of in vitro fertilization].

In-vitro fertilization (IVF) with embryo transfer is a well established therapy in infertility. With the increase of andrological problems as reasons for IVF the question of possible genetic risks is gaining additional attention. For the patients, the incidence of congenital malformations in their offspring resulting from IVF as well as the incidence of spontaneous abortions are of particular interest. In this review population genetic data of congenital malformations are compared to those found in IVF populations. On average, congenital malformations occur in 3% of all livebirths in an unselected population, whereas there were 1.5% newborns with congenital malformations reported in the IVF population. This is well within this basic background risk for congenital malformations. Bearing maternal age and especially careful follow-up of early pregnancies after IVF in mind, the rate of spontaneous abortions after IVF (21 to 27%) is also not significantly increased above the rate of 15% in the unselected general population. The introduction of microinvasive techniques into IVF has given the question of possible genetic risks for the offspring from IVF using these techniques, a great deal of topical interest. The range of indications of subzonal or intracytoplasmatic sperm injection (ICSI) includes andrological problems to a high degree which themselves could be the result of chromosomal anomalies or hereditary disorders. One example is the vas deferens aplasia in one form of CF mutations. Cytogenetic and clinical genetic evaluation should be recommended especially in cases of andrological or idiopathic sterility and infertility. Some examples of autosomal dominant syndromes in which clinical genetic evaluation and genetic counselling are advisable are listed in a summarizing table.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

[Fragile X syndrome: clinical and molecular genetics correlations].

The fragile X form of mental retardation is presently recognized as the most frequent hereditable cause of mental impairment. The estimated frequency among males is 1 in 1250, and 1 in 2000 among females. Beside mental impairment and behavioural disturbance with hyperactivity and autistic features, the patients are characterized by morphological anomalies, such as an oblong face, broad, rectangular chin, large protruding ears and macro-orchidism. A less severe clinical expression can be found among females heterozygotes of the disorder, manifesting mainly as learning disability. The disorder is associated with the expression of a fragile site at Xq27.3 under conditions of folate depletion in the chromosome culture medium. The molecular mechanism is based on the expansion of a trinucleotide repeat [CCG]n in the promoter region of the FMR1 gene resulting in methylation of the gene. The trinucleotide repeat shows variable lengths of 6 to 53 repeats in the general population, 60 to 200 repeats in carriers of a premutation and over 200 repeats in patients with fragile X syndrome.

Adult↗

Familial pericentric inversion of chromosome 1 (p34q23) and male infertility with stage specific spermatogenic arrest.

We report on two infertile brothers presenting with severe oligozoospermia or azoospermia. Testicular biopsy was performed on one of them and showed spermatogenic arrest at the level of primary spermatocytes. Both brothers were found to be heterozygous for a pericentric inversion of chromosome 1 (46,XY,inv(1)(p34q23)). The inversion chromosome was inherited through the maternal line, with no indication of subfertility in the probands' mother.

Adult↗

Craniofacial anomalies, abnormal hair, camptodactyly, and caudal appendage (Teebi-Shaltout syndrome): clinical and autopsy findings.

Teebi and Shaltout [1989: Am J Med Genet 33: 58-60] described a new syndrome of craniofacial anomalies, abnormal hair, camptodactyly, and caudal appendage in children born to a consanguineous couple. We report on a second family with the same pattern of anomalies occurring in a liveborn female and 3 spontaneously aborted fetuses, and include autopsy findings. As additional findings 2 of our cases had unilateral microphthalmia and kidney anomalies. Our observation confirms that this pattern of anomalies is a distinct syndrome with autosomal recessive inheritance; we suggest the synonym Teebi-Shaltout syndrome.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗