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Orofaciodigital syndrome type 1

Author: Dr Delwyn Dyall-Smith FACD, Dermatologist, Australia, 2011.

What is orofaciodigital syndrome type 1?

Orofaciodigital syndrome type 1 (OMIM#311200) is a rare genetic disorder that affects females. It is characterised by malformations of the mouth, face and fingers/toes. It is also known as oral-facial-digital syndrome type 1, OFD1 and ‘Papillon-Léage and Psaume syndrome’.

Who gets orofaciodigital syndrome type 1 and why?

Orofaciodigital syndrome type 1 is an X-linked dominant condition which is lethal for males at the embryo stage. A single copy of the affected gene, which is located on the X chromosome, results in the development of this syndrome. Survival is only possible where there is also one normal copy of the specific gene. As males have only one X chromosome, if the OFD1 gene is abnormal then survival is not possible. Many different mutations of all types have been reported to affect the relevant gene.

OFD1 is classified as a ciliopathy as the gene (now called OFD1, previously CXORF5) is involved in the primary cilia. The primary cilia are key structures in cell function and are short, microscopic, hairlike vibrating structures on the cell surface.

OFD1 is reported to affect 1/250,000 live births. A negative family history for OFD1 is found in 75% of cases.

Clinical features of orofaciodigital syndrome type 1

The classic features of OFD1 involve the mouth, face and digits (fingers/toes). There is considerable variability in clinical presentation between affected families and even within families.

Mouth
  • Thickened gums
  • Lumpy tongue
  • Benign overgrowth of tissue in the tongue (lingual hamartomas) (70%)
  • Split (bifid, cleft) tongue (30%)
  • Clefting of the palate (80%) – unusual pattern
  • True cleft lip of the midline upper lip or pseudocleft (45%)
  • Cleft (split) gums
  • Thickened atypical frenula including tongue-tied
  • Fewer teeth than usual
  • High arched palate
Face
  • Widely spaced eyes
  • Wide bridge of nose
  • Small nostrils
  • Small lower jaw
  • Asymmetry of the face
Digits
  • Fingers (50-70%) are affected more commonly than toes (25%)
  • Short
  • Webbed
  • Bent/curved
  • Extra
Skin
  • Granular appearance of facial skin
  • Milial cysts on the ears – multiple, transient, neonatal
  • Or more extensively on the face and scalp
Hair
  • Dry hair
  • Wiry hair
  • Diffuse thinning
  • Patchy hair loss
Kidney
  • 50%
  • polycystic kidneys
Nervous system
  • 40%
  • many manifestations reported
  • mental retardation
  • seizures
Other organs
  • Variable involvement
Genetics of Orofaciodigital syndrome type 1*
Oral Facial Digital

*Image courtesy Genetics 4 Medics

How is orofaciodigital syndrome type 1 diagnosed?

OFD1 is suspected clinically in a baby with the typical mouth, facial and finger/toe anomalies. It is distinguished from the other orofaciodigital syndromes on the inheritance pattern and polycystic kidneys. Milial cysts and hair loss have also only been reported in OFD1. Diagnosis can be difficult in patients with only minor features.

The gene mutation can be identified by DNA sequencing in specialist research laboratories.

Ultrasound of the kidneys and monitoring of kidney function is recommended.

Treatment of orofaciodigital syndrome type 1

There is no specific treatment for this syndrome. Treatment is directed at the problems encountered in an individual. For some patients the kidney problems dominate the clinical course, resulting in kidney failure and kidney transplant.

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References:

  • Cardenas-Rodriguez M, Badano JL. Ciliary biology: understanding the cellular and genetic basis of human ciliopathies. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet 2009; 151C: 263-280.
  • Ferrante MI, Giorgio G, Feather SA, Bulfone A, Wright V, Ghiani M, et al. Identification of the gene for oral-facial-digital type I syndrome. Am J Hum Genet 2001; 68: 569–576.
  • Mihci E, Tacoy S, Ozbilim G, Franco B. Oral-facial-digital syndrome type 1. Indian Pediatrics 2007: 44; 854-856.
  • MIM ID #311200 OROFACIODIGITAL SYNDROME I; OFD1
  • Thauvin-Robinet C, Cossée M, Cormier-Daire V, Van Maldergem L, Toutain A, Alembik Y, et al. Clinical, molecular, and genotype–phenotype correlation studies from 25 cases of oral–facial–digital syndrome type 1: a French and Belgian collaborative study. J Med Genet 2006; 43: 54–61.
  • Thauvin-Robinet C, Franco B, Saugier-Veber P, Aral B, Gigot N, Donzel A, et al. Genomic deletions of OFD1 account for 23% of oral-facial-digital type 1 syndrome after negative DNA sequencing. Hum Mutat 2009; 30: E320-329.

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