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Objectives Kleefstra Syndrome (KS) is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a microdeletion in chromosomal region 9q34.3 or a mutation in the euchromatin histone methyltransferase 1 (EHTM1) gene. Patients with KS show a range of clinical symptoms, including delay in motor and speech development, intellectual disability, autistic-like features, childhood hypotonia, and distinctive facial dysmorphic features. The patient is a four-year-old girl who was initially diagnosed with developmental motor delay by a pediatric neurologist and referred to an occupational therapy clinic at the age of six months. The initial assessment showed hypotonia and difficulties with rolling. Occupational therapy intervention was based on principles of neurodevelopmental treatment and sensory integration (SI) with cognitive integration and activities of daily living (ADL) training. With continuous occupational therapy services over more than three years, she overcame many disabilities and improved in occupational performance skills such as gross and fine motor skills as well as cognitive abilities, although her verbal communication skills were not effective. The patient's progress was as follows: she began rolling over at seven months, achieved independent sitting at ten months, crawled at eighteen months, stood with support at twenty months, and took her first steps at twenty-six months. The predominant problem was speech delay, which was noticeable in this syndrome. When a patient is being referred because of KS, occupational and speech therapy assessments should be accurately implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Recurrent infections are important problems in syndromic patients. This study aimed to evaluate immunological abnormalities in patients who presented with recurrent infections and were diagnosed with rare syndromes. Material and methods: This retrospective analysis included 14 patients with complaints of recurrent infections, all of whom were diagnosed with a rare syndrome. Results: The study group consisted of patients with Aicardi syndrome, Brugada syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, trichothiodystrophy, LEOPARD syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Seckel syndrome, trisomy 18 (Edwards' syndrome), Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome, West syndrome, Williams syndrome, 47, XYY syndrome, 16p13 deletion syndrome, and 13q1.3 deletion syndrome. Seven patients (50%) were girls and seven (50%) were boys (mean age, 56.7 ±32.9 months; median [range] age: 45.5 [27-153] months). There were high rates of consanguinity (50%), cesarean section delivery (71%), and hospitalization in the intensive care unit (78.5%). No patients had a family history of immunodeficiency. On admission, all patients exhibited humoral and/or cellular immune system abnormalities. During the follow-up period, all T-cell abnormalities were improved after immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IGRT), while B-cell abnormalities persisted. These findings suggested that the patients predominantly had antibody deficiencies associated with mild T-cell abnormalities because of recurrent infections. The rates of infections and hospitalizations were significantly reduced after IGRT (p < 0.001); the rate of intensive care unit admission also significantly decreased (from 78.5% to 21.4%). Two of the three oxygen-dependent patients exhibited improvement therein. IGRT was discontinued in two patients with significant clinical improvement during follow-up. Conclusions: An immunological evaluation should be considered in pediatric patients with rare syndromes and recurrent infections. IGRT may help to improve the prognoses of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In this descriptive review, we describe current models of transition in rare and complex epilepsy syndromes and propose alternative approaches for more holistic management based on disease biology. Recent Findings: Previously published guidance and recommendations on transition strategies in individuals with epilepsy have not been systematically and uniformly applied. There is significant heterogeneity in models of transition/transfer of care across countries and even within the same country. Summary: We provide examples of the most severe epilepsy and related syndromes and emphasise the limited data on their outcome in adulthood. Rare and complex epilepsy syndromes have unique presentations and require high levels of expertise and multidisciplinary approach. Lifespan clinics, with no transition, but instead continuity of care from childhood to adulthood with highly specialised input from healthcare providers, may represent an alternative effective approach. Effectiveness should be measured by evaluation of quality of life for both patients and their families/caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

POLA1 encodes the catalytic unit of DNA polymerase α, which together with the Primase complex launches the DNA replication process. While complete deficiency of this essential gene is presumed to be lethal, at least two conditions due to partial POLA1 deficiency have been described. The first genetic syndrome to be mapped to POLA1 was X-linked reticulate pigmentary disorder (XLPDR, MIM #301220), a rare syndrome characterized by skin hyperpigmentation, sterile multiorgan inflammation, recurrent infections, and distinct facial features. XLPDR has been shown to be accompanied by profound activation of type I interferon signaling, but unlike other interferonopathies, it is not associated with autoantibodies or classical autoimmunity. Rather, it is accompanied by marked Natural Killer (NK) cell dysfunction, which may explain the recurrent infections seen in this syndrome. To date, all XLPDR cases are caused by the same recurrent intronic mutation, which results in gene missplicing. Several hypomorphic mutations in POLA1, distinct from the XLPDR intronic mutation, have been recently reported and these mutations associate with a separate condition, van Esch–O'Driscoll syndrome (VEODS, MIM #301030). This condition results in growth retardation, microcephaly, hypogonadism, and in some cases, overlapping immunological features to those seen in XLPDR. This review summarizes our current understanding of the clinical manifestations of POLA1 gene mutations with an emphasis on its immunological consequences, as well as recent advances in understanding of its pathophysiologic basis and potential therapeutic options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phantom pain is a syndrome in which a person experiences pain when that part of the body, external or internal, is no more physically present following an accident or operation. There are very few reports of phantom bladder pain. Here, we present a case of a 29-year-old male with phantom pain following three months of robotic cystoprostatectomy for bladder pain syndrome.

Since the 1990s the number of children with disabilities placed within the general education classroom has steadily increased. Many of these children are provided special education services under the generic disability title "intellectual disability." Over the past decade, there has been a significant amount of research concerning rare genetic syndromes that result in separating developmental disabilities into categories using similar origins and characteristics. Costello syndrome is one of these rare syndromes. Although information is available to medical practitioners, it has seldom been communicated to educators. The authors have taken the available data and, using a team approach, made recommendations for involving medical and health professionals in educating students with Costello syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the article is to describe the communication development of a child with Fetal Retinoid syndrome (FRS) from six months to seven years of age. Little is known about this rare acquired syndrome and its long-term implications, especially on a child's communication development. A descriptive, ex post facto research design was used to study the participant's communication development from 1996 when the family enrolled in an early communication intervention programme. Annual serial assessments of the participant and her family were conducted and the data were stored in a research database after each assessment. The results are described according to a 4-level assessment framework and indicated consistent, but moderate to minor delays in the participant's communication development with a mild hearing loss in the right ear, associated with ear anomalies. Although prenatal exposure to isotretinoin may have serious effects on the unborn fetus and even cause death, the participant did not display all the symptoms of FRS described in the literature. The favorable family circumstances, early commencement of intervention, and supporting early educational environments were protecting factors that could have contributed positively to the participant's communication development. The importance of knowledge accumulation about rare syndromes such as FRS in Communication Pathology and Audiology is discussed and guidelines for early identification, assessment and treatment applicable to the case are proposed as an intervention option.

Pycodysostosis is a genetic autosomal rare disease with an incidence of 1:1.7 million births; the pathophysiology of the disease is related to mutation of cathepsin K gene. Sleep apnea, respiratory difficulties because of chest and oral abnormalities may cause a challenge to the anesthetist during intubation and/or mechanical ventilation. In this case report we will discuss a case of pycodysostosis with a difficult airway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phantom pain is a syndrome in which a person experiences pain when that part of the body, external or internal, is no more physically present following an accident or operation. There are very few reports of phantom bladder pain. Here, we present a case of a 29-year-old male with phantom pain following three months of robotic cystoprostatectomy for bladder pain syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]