OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic etiology for a pregnant woman with a history of multiple adverse pregnancies and assess the phenotype-genotype correlation of 22q11.2 microduplication syndrome in her family. METHODS: Amniotic fluid sample was taken from a pregnant woman for whom non-invasive prenatal screening indicated chromosome 22 abnormalities in the fetus. Peripheral blood samples from the woman, her brother and parents were collected for high-throughput low-depth whole genome sequencing (CNV-seq). A pedigree traceability analysis of the results was conducted in conjunction with analysis of clinical manifestation. Relevant literature (from establishment to March 2025) was systematically searched. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Mianyang Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital (Ethics No.: Lun Shen [2024]009). RESULTS: CNV-seq revealed that the fetus had harbored a 6.02 Mb duplication at 22q11.21q11.23. Karyotyping confirmed it as 46,X?dup(22)(q11.2). Pedigree verification demonstrated that the pregnant woman, her brother and mother had all carried the same duplication. Phenotypic analysis of the affected family members showed classic features of 22q11.2 microduplication syndrome, including hypernasal speech, low nasal bridge, congenital heart disease, and cognitive impairment. A total of 44 cases with full information (including three patients from this pedigree) were included in the analysis. The penetrance of 22q11.2 duplication was approximately 29.5% (13/44), and 52.3% (23/44) of the cases had inherited the variant from a phenotypically normal parent. CONCLUSION This study has identified the genetic basis for the woman's recurrent adverse pregnancies and phenotypic abnormalities in her family members. The scoliosis identified in her younger brother has not been previously reported, thereby may enrich the clinical phenotype of this syndrome. For fetuses identified with a 22q11.2 microduplication, detailed fetal imaging is recommended, and genetic counseling should be provided to the couples.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods* ; Chromosome Duplication/genetics* ; Male ; Pedigree ; DiGeorge Syndrome/diagnosis* ; Adult ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22/genetics* ; Abnormalities, Multiple

Primordial dwarfism (PD) refers to a group of monogenic genetic disorders characterized by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and severe, persistent postnatal growth retardation. These diseases have been associated with variants of multiple genes whose products are mainly involved in critical cellular biological processes such as maintenance of genomic stability, DNA damage repair, mRNA splicing regulation, and centrosome function. Variants of such genes can directly impair cell proliferation and developmental potential. With the widespread application of molecular genetic technologies such as high-throughput sequencing, significant progress has been made in the research of PD. This article focuses on the major subtypes of PD, including Seckel syndrome, Microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism (MOPD) types I/III, MOPD type II, and Meier-Gorlin syndrome. It has systematically summarized the advances in their clinical phenotypic characteristics, pathogenic genes, and molecular mechanisms, with an aim to deepen the understanding of the essence of growth disorders associated with PD.
Humans ; Dwarfism/genetics* ; Microcephaly/genetics* ; Phenotype ; Fetal Growth Retardation/genetics* ; Osteochondrodysplasias/genetics* ; Growth Disorders ; Micrognathism ; Patella/abnormalities* ; Congenital Microtia

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical phenotype and pathogenic mechanism of the ARSL gene variant in a fetus with nasal bone aplasia. METHODS: A 34-year-old pregnant woman who attended Quzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital on January 3, 2023 was selected as the study subject. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed on the fetus. Bioinformatics analysis was carried out to identify and prioritize candidate gene variants, followed by Sanger sequencing for familial validation. A mutant plasmid expression vector was constructed and subsequently transfected into HEK293T cells to preliminarily investigate the pathogenetic mechanism of the identified variant. Additionally, a comprehensive review of literature was conducted to systematically summarize the associated clinical phenotypes. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Quzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital (Ethics No.: KY-2023-11). RESULTS: WES revealed that the fetus harbored a c.827del (p.L276Rfs*48) variant of the ARSL gene, for which its mother was heterozygous. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was classified as pathogenic(PVS1+PM2_Supporting). In vitro cellular function studies demonstrated that this variant can result in a substantial decrease in the expression of mutant mRNA, thereby preventing the production of normal ARSL protein. Clinical phenotypes resulting from ARSL gene variants exhibited considerable diversity, with nasal hypoplasia being the most common manifestation. CONCLUSION The c.827del (p.L276Rfs*48) variant of the ARSL gene can lead to degradation of mRNA via the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay pathway, resulting in reduced levels of ARSL protein. The pathogenetic mechanism underlying the ARSL gene variant may be associated with its haploinsufficiency effect.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Adult ; Frameshift Mutation ; HEK293 Cells ; Nasal Bone/abnormalities* ; Fetus/abnormalities* ; Exome Sequencing

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical manifestations and genetic etiology of a fetus with Neurodevelopmental disorders with deformed facial features and distal skeletal abnormalities (NEDDFSA). METHODS: Clinical data of a NEDDFSA fetus diagnosed at the Affiliated Women and Children's Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University in March 2025 was selected as the study subject. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was carried out on the amniotic fluid and parental peripheral blood samples, and candidate variants was verified by Sanger sequencing. The pathogenicity of candidate variant was rated based on guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: EC2023-094). RESULTS: At 30 weeks of gestation, the fetus was found to have microcephaly, short femur and intrauterine growth restriction. WES revealed that the fetus harbored a de novo heterozygous frameshift variant c.2633dup (p.Gly879ArgfsTer22) of the ZMIZ1 gene, which was rated as pathogenic (PM2_Supporting+PS2_Supporting+PVS1). Combined with 25 cases from the literature, the main manifestations of patients have included intellectual disability, growth retardation and cranio-limb skeletal dysplasia, albeit without clear genotype-phenotype correlation. CONCLUSION The de novo variant c.2633dup (p.Gly879ArgfsTer22) of the ZMIZ1 gene probably underlay the NEDDFSA in this fetus. Genetic testing has enabled accurate prenatal diagnosis and provided evidence for genetic counseling and reproductive guidance of this family.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Neurodevelopmental Disorders/genetics* ; Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Fetus/abnormalities* ; Exome Sequencing ; Prenatal Diagnosis

Congenital musculoskeletal and limb deformities (CMLD) seriously affect the physical and mental health of patients, and pose great challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. We explored the specific situation and changes of incidence, prevalence, disability-adjusted life years rates, and mortality of CMLD in under-5 children from 1990 to 2021 in different groups, including different regions, periods, genders and socio-demographic indices (SDI), through corresponding analytical models. Overall, the global disease burden of CMLD in under-5 children has decreased from 1990 to 2021. The disease burden of CMLD in under-5 children varied significantly among different regions and countries, and there was a strong correlation between the corresponding burden of disease and the level of SDI. In addition, cross-country inequality analysis showed that while absolute inequalities in the disease burden of CMLD in under-5 children have improved, relative inequalities have worsened. It is essential to reduce the global health impact of CMLD by implementing targeted interventions to improve health care in underdeveloped areas.
Humans ; Global Burden of Disease/trends* ; Child, Preschool ; Global Health/statistics & numerical data* ; Infant ; Male ; Prevalence ; Limb Deformities, Congenital/mortality* ; Musculoskeletal Abnormalities/mortality* ; Female ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Cost of Illness ; Socioeconomic Factors

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) poses a significant risk of neural damage during pregnancy. As the most prevalent intrauterine infectious agent in low- and middle-income countries, HCMV disrupts the development of neural stem cells, leading to fetal malformations and abnormal structural and physiological functions in the fetal brain. This review summarizes the current understanding of how HCMV infection dysregulates the Wnt signaling pathway to induce fetal malformations and discusses current management strategies.
Humans ; Cytomegalovirus Infections/virology* ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Cytomegalovirus/physiology* ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/virology* ; Congenital Abnormalities/virology* ; Animals

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of deciduous fused teeth and their inherited permanent-tooth performance type by using panoramic radiographs. METHODS: A total of 14 404 panoramic radiographs of 3- to 6-year-old children with deciduous dentition were collected from January 2023 to July 2024. The incidence of deciduous fused teeth was observed, and the abnormality of permanent teeth was recorded. SPSS 24.0 software was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The incidence of deciduous fused teeth was 3.06% (441/14 404). The order of dental position was as follows: mandibular deciduous incisors and cusp teeth fused (58.18%) > mandibular deciduous central and lateral incisors fused (30.91%) > maxillary deciduous central and lateral incisors fused (8.89%) > deciduous incisors and supernumerary teeth fused (2.02%). Deciduous fused teeth were found in 226 boys and 215 girls, with no significant difference between the sexes (P>0.05). We observed one pair (87.76%, 387/441) and two pairs (12.24%, 54/441) of fused teeth (54/441), respectively. A total of 287 pairs of fusion teeth on the right side more than 208 pairs on the left side, and the difference between them was statistically significant (P<0.01). More fusion teeth existed in mandibular deciduous teeth (443 pairs) than in maxillary ones (54 pairs), and the difference between them was statistically significant (P<0.01). More unilateral deciduous teeth (387 subjects) were found than bilateral ones (54 subjects), and the difference between them was statistically significant (P<0.01). Three types of deciduous fused teeth with inherited permanent teeth were observed as follows: 1) 49.49% (245/495) of inherited permanent teeth was absent, 2) 46.67% (231/495) of inherited permanent teeth was not absent, and 3) the number of fused permanent teeth accounted for 3.84% (19/495). CONCLUSIONS The incidence of deciduous fused teeth was 3.06%, mostly occurring in the lower anterior teeth region, with no gender difference. One pair of fused teeth is commonly observed, more often on the right than the left. These fusions occur more frequently in the mandible than the maxillary, and unilateral cases are more common than bilateral ones. Deciduous fused teeth had a certain impact on inherited permanent teeth. Pediatric dentists should pay attention to and closely observe whether any abnormality exists in the permanent dentition for early detection to prevent the harm caused by deciduous fused teeth.
Humans ; Tooth, Deciduous/abnormalities* ; Male ; Child ; Female ; Child, Preschool ; Dentition, Permanent ; Radiography, Panoramic ; Fused Teeth/diagnostic imaging* ; Incisor/diagnostic imaging* ; Tooth, Supernumerary/diagnostic imaging* ; Incidence ; Mandible

Muenke syndrome is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder that is typically characterized by unilateral or bilateral coronal synostosis, macrocephaly, midface hypoplasia, and developmental delays. This article reports a case of Muenke syndrome with a soft cleft palate. A heterozygous missense mutation c.749C>G (p.P250A) was identified in the FGFR3 gene through genetic testing. The patient exhibited typical features including coronal synostosis, bilateral hearing loss, right accessory auricle, and developmental delays and underwent surgery to repair the soft cleft palate. Cases of Muenke syndrome with cleft palate in the literature are relatively rare, and common associated symptoms include coronal suture craniosynostosis and hearing impairment. This article reports a differential diagnosis with other craniosynostosis syndromes and provides a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Humans ; Cleft Palate/surgery* ; Craniosynostoses/diagnosis* ; Mutation, Missense ; Palate, Soft/abnormalities* ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3/genetics*

Fused teeth are usually formed by the partial or complete fusion of two normal tooth germs during the development process and belong to dental developmental abnormalities. Fused teeth are relatively rare clinically, and those occurring in the posterior tooth area are even rarer. This article reports a case of fused teeth between the first permanent molar and the second permanent molar in the right mandible. This fused tooth had a complex root canal anatomical structure (seven root canals). The number and location of the root canals were analyzed by cone beam computed tomography, and root canal treatment was successfully completed with the assistance of microscope.
Humans ; Molar/diagnostic imaging* ; Mandible ; Dental Pulp Cavity/abnormalities* ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Root Canal Therapy/methods* ; Fused Teeth/surgery*

Ectodermal dysplasia is a group of hereditary diseases characterized by developmental defects of ectodermal structures. Its oral manifestations mainly center on congenital missing teeth, abnormal tooth morphology, and maxillofacial bone developmental disorders, which seriously affect the masticatory function, maxillofacial development, and mental health of affected children. In this article, the multidimensional diagnostic strategy system for children with ectodermal dysplasia and the related progress of early oral prosthodontic treatment methods were systematically reviewed to provide references for clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of children with ectodermal dysplasia.
Child ; Humans ; Anodontia ; Ectodermal Dysplasia/diagnosis* ; Prosthodontics ; Tooth Abnormalities/therapy*