Apert syndrome is characterized by the presence of multisuture craniosynostosis, midface retrusion, and syndactyly of the hands with fusion of the second through fourth nails. Almost all affected individuals have coronal craniosynostosis, and a majority also have involvement of the sagittal and lambdoid sutures. The midface in Apert syndrome is underdeveloped as well as retruded; a subset of affected individuals have cleft palate. The hand in Apert syndrome always includes fusion of the middle three digits; the thumb and fifth finger are sometimes also involved. Feeding issues, dental abnormalities, hearing loss, hyperhidrosis, and progressive synostosis of multiple bones (skull, hands, feet, carpus, tarsus, and cervical vertebrae) are also common. Multilevel airway obstruction may be present and can be due to narrowing of the nasal passages, tongue-based airway obstruction, and/or tracheal anomalies. Nonprogressive ventriculomegaly is present in a majority of individuals, with a small subset having true hydrocephalus. Most individuals with Apert syndrome have normal intelligence or mild intellectual disability; moderate-to-severe intellectual disability has been reported in some individuals. A minority of affected individuals have structural cardiac abnormalities, true gastrointestinal malformations, and anomalies of the genitourinary tract.

Thrombocytopenia absent radius (TAR) syndrome is characterized by bilateral absence of the radii with the presence of both thumbs, and thrombocytopenia that is generally transient. Thrombocytopenia may be congenital or may develop within the first few weeks to months of life; in general, thrombocytopenic episodes decrease with age. Cow's milk allergy is common and can be associated with exacerbation of thrombocytopenia. Other anomalies of the skeleton (upper and lower limbs, ribs, and vertebrae), heart, and genitourinary system (renal anomalies and agenesis of uterus, cervix, and upper part of the vagina) can occur.

Pfeiffer syndrome is an autosomal dominant craniosynostosis syndrome with characteristic anomalies of the hands and feet. Three clinical subtypes, which have important diagnostic and prognostic implications, have been identified. Type 1, the classic syndrome, is compatible with life and consists of craniosynostosis, midface deficiency, broad thumbs, broad great toes, brachydactyly, and variable syndactyly. Type 2 consists of cloverleaf skull with Pfeiffer hands and feet, together with ankylosis of the elbows. Type 3 is similar to type 2 but without cloverleaf skull. Ocular proptosis is severe, and the anterior cranial base is markedly short. Various visceral malformations have been found in association with type 3. Early demise is characteristic of types 2 and 3 (Cohen, 1993). Cohen and Barone (1994) further tabulated the findings in the 3 types of Pfeiffer syndrome.

NSDHL-related disorders include CHILD (congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform nevus and limb defects) syndrome, an X-linked disorder that is usually male lethal during gestation and thus predominantly affects females; and CK syndrome, an X-linked disorder that affects males. CHILD syndrome is characterized by unilateral distribution of ichthyosiform skin lesions and ipsilateral limb defects that range from shortening of the metacarpals and phalanges to absence of the entire limb. Intellect is usually normal. The ichthyosiform skin lesions are usually present at birth or in the first weeks of life; new lesions can develop in later life. Onychodystrophy and periungual hyperkeratosis are common. Heart, lung, and kidney malformations can also occur. CK syndrome is characterized by mild-to-severe cognitive impairment and behavior problems (aggression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], and irritability). All reported affected males have developed seizures in infancy and have cerebral cortical malformations and microcephaly. All have distinctive facial features, a thin habitus, and relatively long, thin fingers and toes. Some have scoliosis and kyphosis. Strabismus is common. Optic atrophy is also reported.

Classic Joubert syndrome (JS) is characterized by three primary findings: A distinctive cerebellar and brain stem malformation called the molar tooth sign (MTS). Hypotonia. Developmental delays. Often these findings are accompanied by episodic tachypnea or apnea and/or atypical eye movements. In general, the breathing abnormalities improve with age, truncal ataxia develops over time, and acquisition of gross motor milestones is delayed. Cognitive abilities are variable, ranging from severe intellectual disability to normal. Additional findings can include retinal dystrophy, renal disease, ocular colobomas, occipital encephalocele, hepatic fibrosis, polydactyly, oral hamartomas, and endocrine abnormalities. Both intra- and interfamilial variation are seen.

Split-hand/split-foot malformation is a limb malformation involving the central rays of the autopod and presenting with syndactyly, median clefts of the hands and feet, and aplasia and/or hypoplasia of the phalanges, metacarpals, and metatarsals (Elliott and Evans, 2006). For additional phenotypic information and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of split-hand/split-foot malformation, see SHFM1 (183600).

Brachydactyly-syndactyly, Zhao type is a recently described syndrome associating a brachydactyly type A4 (short middle phalanges of the 2nd and 5th fingers and absence of middle phalanges of the 2nd to 5th toes) and a syndactyly of the 2nd and 3rd toes. Metacarpals and metatarsals anomalies are common.

Fuhrmann syndrome is an autosomal recessive limb reduction disorder characterized by severe bowing of the femora and aplasia or hypoplasia of the fibulae and ulnae. The radius may be shortened and bowed. Patients also exhibit variable poly- and/or oligodactyly, including absence or coalescence of tarsal bones, absence of various metatarsals, hypoplasia and aplasia of toes, clinodactyly, hypoplasia of fingers and fingernails, and postaxial polydactyly. Hypoplasia of the pelvis and congenital dislocation of the hip have also been observed (Fuhrmann et al., 1980; Pfeiffer et al., 1988). Overlapping limb reduction syndromes that are also caused by homozygous mutation in the WNT7A gene include Al-Awadi/Raas-Rothschild syndrome (AARRS; 276820), consisting of absence of ulna and fibula with severe limb deficiency, and Santos syndrome (228930), consisting of fibular agenesis/hypoplasia, oligodactylous clubfeet, and anonychia/nail hypoplasia. Al-Qattan et al. (2013) stated that AARRS and Fuhrmann syndrome can be differentiated by the following features, which are seen only in AARRS: complete aplasia of 1 or both lower limbs, and absent elbow with radiohumeral synostosis. In addition, the number of digits per hand is 1 to 3 in AARRS, whereas there are 4 to 5 digits in Fuhrmann syndrome. AlQattan et al. (2013) also noted that phocomelia is not a feature of Fuhrmann syndrome.

Acropectorovertebral dysgenesis, or F syndrome, is an autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia characterized by carpal and tarsal synostoses, syndactyly between the first and second fingers, hypodactyly and polydactyly of feet, and abnormalities of the sternum and spine (summary by Thiele et al., 2004).

This syndrome has characteristics of anophthalmia or microphthalmia, retinal dystrophy, and/or myopia, associated in some cases with cerebral anomalies. It has been described in two families. Polydactyly may also be present. Linkage analysis allowed identification of mutations in the BMP4 gene, which has already been shown to play a role in eye development.

Scalp-ear-nipple syndrome is characterized by aplasia cutis congenita of the scalp, breast anomalies that range from hypothelia or athelia to amastia, and minor anomalies of the external ears. Less frequent clinical characteristics include nail dystrophy, dental anomalies, cutaneous syndactyly of the digits, and renal malformations. Penetrance appears to be high, although there is substantial variable expressivity within families (Marneros et al., 2013).

Split-hand/split-foot malformation (SHFM) is a limb malformation involving the central rays of the autopod and presenting with syndactyly, median clefts of the hands and feet, and aplasia and/or hypoplasia of the phalanges, metacarpals, and metatarsals. Some patients with SHFM have been found to have mental retardation, ectodermal and craniofacial findings, and orofacial clefting (Elliott and Evans, 2006). For a general phenotypic description and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of split-hand/foot malformations, see SHFM1 (183600).

CTCF-related disorder is characterized by developmental delay / intellectual disability (ranging from mild to severe), with both speech and motor delays being common; feeding difficulties, including dysphagia, and other gastrointestinal issues (gastroesophageal reflux disease and/or irritable bowel syndrome) that can lead to growth deficiency; hypotonia; eye anomalies (strabismus and/or refractive errors); scoliosis; nonspecific dysmorphic features; sleep disturbance; tooth anomalies (crowded teeth and/or abnormal decay); and, less commonly, other congenital anomalies (cleft palate, gastrointestinal malrotation, genitourinary anomalies, and congenital heart defects, including aortic ectasia). Short stature, seizures, hearing loss, recurrent infections, microcephaly, and autistic features have also been described in a minority of affected individuals. At least four reported individuals with CTCF-related disorder developed Wilms tumor, one of whom had bilateral Wilms tumor. However, there is no clear evidence of a significant predisposition for the development of cancer in individuals with CTCF-related disorder at this time.

Serine deficiency disorders include a spectrum of disease ranging from lethal prenatal-onset Neu-Laxova syndrome to serine deficiency with infantile, juvenile, or adult onset. Neu-Laxova syndrome is characterized by severe intrauterine growth deficiency, microcephaly, congenital bilateral cataracts, characteristic dysmorphic features, limb anomalies, and collodion-like ichthyosis. Infants are typically stillborn or die in early infancy. Infantile-onset serine deficiency is characterized by seizures, microcephaly, developmental delay, intellectual disability, and spastic quadriplegia. Individuals that present with juvenile-onset serine deficiency have seizures and many develop spastic quadriplegia. Adult-onset serine deficiency is characterized by progressive axonal polyneuropathy with ataxia and possible cognitive impairment.

Serine deficiency disorders include a spectrum of disease ranging from lethal prenatal-onset Neu-Laxova syndrome to serine deficiency with infantile, juvenile, or adult onset. Neu-Laxova syndrome is characterized by severe intrauterine growth deficiency, microcephaly, congenital bilateral cataracts, characteristic dysmorphic features, limb anomalies, and collodion-like ichthyosis. Infants are typically stillborn or die in early infancy. Infantile-onset serine deficiency is characterized by seizures, microcephaly, developmental delay, intellectual disability, and spastic quadriplegia. Individuals that present with juvenile-onset serine deficiency have seizures and many develop spastic quadriplegia. Adult-onset serine deficiency is characterized by progressive axonal polyneuropathy with ataxia and possible cognitive impairment.

Synpolydactyly (SPD), or syndactyly type II, is defined as a connection between the middle and ring fingers and fourth and fifth toes, variably associated with postaxial polydactyly in the same digits. Minor local anomalies and various metacarpal or metatarsal abnormalities may be present (summary by Merlob and Grunebaum, 1986). In some families with SPD, the foot anomalies are characterized by preaxial as well as postaxial polydactyly, and appear to be fully penetrant. The more severe features of classic SPD, involving 3/4 synpolydactyly in the hands and 4/5 synpolydactyly in the feet, also occur, but at reduced penetrance. This foot phenotype is not seen in patients with classic SPD due to HOXD13 polyalanine tract expansions (Goodman et al., 1998). Malik (2012) reviewed the syndactylies, noting that the extreme phenotypic heterogeneity observed in SPD families consists of approximately 18 clinical variants that can be 'lumped' into 3 categories: typical SPD features, minor variants, and unusual phenotypes. Genetic Heterogeneity of Synpolydactyly See also SPD2 (608180), caused by mutation in the fibulin-1 gene (FBLN1; 135820) on chromosome 22q13, and SPD3 (610234), which has been mapped to chromosome 14q11.2-q12.

Kury-Isidor syndrome (KURIS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a highly variable phenotype. It is characterized mainly by mild global developmental delay apparent from infancy or early childhood with walking delayed by a few years and speech delay, often with language deficits. Intellectual development may be mildly delayed, borderline, or even normal; most patients have behavioral problems, including autism. Additional variable systemic features may include poor overall growth, hypotonia, distal skeletal anomalies, seizures, and nonspecific dysmorphic facial features (summary by Kury et al., 2022).

Diaphragmatic hernia-4 with cardiovascular defects (DIH4) is an autosomal recessive congenital anomaly syndrome characterized by the presence of diaphragmatic hernia or eventration apparent at birth. Affected infants have associated pulmonary hypoplasia and respiratory insufficiency resulting in death in infancy. Most also have variable cardiovascular defects, including aortopulmonary window or conotruncal anomalies. Dysmorphic facial features and mild distal limb anomalies are sometimes observed (Beecroft et al., 2021). For a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), see DIH1 (142340).

Triphalangeal thumb-polysyndactyly syndrome (TPT-PS) is a hand-foot malformation characterized by triphalangeal thumbs and pre- and postaxial polydactyly, isolated syndactyly or complex polysyndactyly.

X-linked syndromic intellectual developmental disorder-37 (MRXS37) is a developmental disorder showing phenotypic variability and variable severity. Male mutation carriers tend to be more severely affected than female mutation carriers, some of whom may even be asymptomatic. In general, the disorder is characterized by global developmental delay with delayed walking, speech delay, impaired intellectual development that ranges from borderline low to moderate, and behavioral abnormalities, such as autism and sleeping difficulties. Many patients are able to attend mainstream schools with assistance and work under supervision. Additional more variable features include sensorineural hearing loss, ocular anomalies, feeding difficulties, dysmorphic facial features, inguinal and umbilical hernia, genitourinary defects, congenital heart defects, musculoskeletal anomalies, and endocrine dysfunction, such as hypogonadism or hyperparathyroidism (Shepherdson et al., 2024).