Primrose syndrome: Characterization of the phenotype in 42 patients

Daniela Melis*, Daniel Carvalho, Tina Barbaro-Dieber, Alberto J. Espay, Michael J. Gambello, Blanca Gener, Erica Gerkes, Marrit M. Hitzert, Hanne B. Hove, Sandra Jansen, Petr E. Jira, Katherine Lachlan, Leonie A. Menke, Vinodh Narayanan, Damara Ortiz, Eline Overwater, Renata Posmyk, Keri Ramsey, Alessandro Rossi, Renata Lazari SandovalConstance Stumpel, Kyra E. Stuurman, Viviana Cordeddu, Peter Turnpenny, Pietro Strisciuglio, Marco Tartaglia, Sheela Unger, Todd Waters, Clare Turnbull, Raoul C. Hennekam

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Primrose syndrome (PS; MIM# 259050) is characterized by intellectual disability (ID), macrocephaly, unusual facial features (frontal bossing, deeply set eyes, down-slanting palpebral fissures), calcified external ears, sparse body hair and distal muscle wasting. The syndrome is caused by de novo heterozygous missense variants in ZBTB20. Most of the 29 published patients are adults as characteristics appear more recognizable with age. We present 13 hitherto unpublished individuals and summarize the clinical and molecular findings in all 42 patients. Several signs and symptoms of PS develop during childhood, but the cardinal features, such as calcification of the external ears, cystic bone lesions, muscle wasting, and contractures typically develop between 10 and 16 years of age. Biochemically, anemia and increased alpha-fetoprotein levels are often present. Two adult males with PS developed a testicular tumor. Although PS should be regarded as a progressive entity, there are no indications that cognition becomes more impaired with age. No obvious genotype-phenotype correlation is present. A subgroup of patients with ZBTB20 variants may be associated with mild, nonspecific ID. Metabolic investigations suggest a disturbed mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. We suggest a regular surveillance in all adult males with PS until it is clear whether or not there is a truly elevated risk of testicular cancer.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)890-901
Number of pages12
JournalClinical Genetics
Volume97
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2020

Keywords

  • alpha-fetoprotein
  • ectopic calcifications
  • overgrowth
  • Primrose syndrome
  • ZBTB20
  • FINGER PROTEIN ZBTB20
  • MUTATIONS
  • DIFFERENTIATION
  • ABNORMALITIES
  • CANCER
  • ALPHA

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