Oral-Facial-Digital Syndrome Health Article

Definition

Oral-facial-digital (OFD) syndrome is a generic name for a variety of different genetic disorders that result in malformations of the mouth, teeth, jaw, facial bones, hands, and feet.

Description

Oral-facial-digital syndrome includes several different but possibly related genetic disorders. OFD syndromes are also referred to as digito-oro-facial syndromes. There are nine different OFD syndromes, identified as OFD syndrome type I, type II, and so on. OFD syndromes are so named because they all cause changes in the oral structures, including the tongue, teeth, and jaw; the facial structures, including the head, eyes, and nose; and the digits (fingers and toes). OFD syndromes are also frequently associated with developmental delay.

The different OFD syndromes are distinguished from each other based on the specific physical symptoms and the mode of inheritance. There are many alternate names for OFD syndromes. A partial list of these is:

• OFD syndrome type I: Gorlin syndrome I, Gorlin-Psaume syndrome, Papillon-Leage syndrome;
• OFD syndrome type II: Mohr syndrome, Mohr-Claussen syndrome;
• OFD syndrome type III: Sugarman syndrome;
• OFD syndrome type IV: Baraitser-Burn syndrome;
• OFD syndrome type V: Thurston syndrome;
• OFD syndrome type VI: Juberg-Hayward syndrome, Varadi syndrome, Varadi-Papp syndrome;
• OFD syndrome type VII: Whelan syndrome.

Genetic profile

The mode of inheritance of OFD syndrome depends on the type of the syndrome. Type I is inherited as an X-linked dominant trait and is only found in females because it is fatal in males. X-linked means that the syndrome is carried on the female sex chromosome, while dominant means that only one parent has to pass on the gene mutation in order for the child to be affected with the syndrome.

OFD syndrome type VII is inherited either as an X-linked or autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. Autosomal means that the syndrome is not carried on a sex chromosome.

OFD syndrome types II, III, IV, V, and VI are passed on through an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. Recessive means that both parents must carry the gene mutation in order for their child to have the disorder.

OFD syndrome types VIII and IX are characterized by either an autosomal or X-linked recessive pattern of inheritance.

The gene location for OFD syndrome type I has been assigned to Xp22.3-22.2, or, on the 22nd band of the p arm of the X chromosome. The specific gene mutations responsible for the other types of OFD syndrome have not been identified.

Demographics

There does not appear to be any clear-cut ethnic pattern to the incidence of OFD syndrome. Most types of OFD syndrome affect males and females with equal probability, although type I, the most common type, affects only females (since it is lethal in males before birth). The overall incidence of OFD syndrome has not been established due to the wide variation between the different types of the syndrome and the difficulty of definitive diagnosis.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms observed in people affected by OFD syndrome vary depending on the specific type of the syndrome. In general, the symptoms include the following:

Oral features

• Cleft lip
• Cleft palate or highly arched palate
• Lobed or split tongue
• Tumors of the tongue
• Missing or extra teeth
• Gum disease
• Misaligned bite
• Smaller than normal jaw

Facial features

• Small or wide set eyes
• Missing structures of the eye
• Broad base or tip of the nose
• One nostril smaller than the other
• Low-set or angled ears

Digital features

• Extra fingers or toes
• Abnormally short fingers
• Webbing between fingers or toes
• Clubfoot
• Permanently flexed fingers

Mental development and central nervous system

• Mental retardation
• Brain abnormalities
• Seizures
• Spasmodic movements or tics
• Delayed motor and speech development

Other

• Growth retardation
• Cardiovascular abnormalities
• Sunken chest
• Susceptibility to respiratory infection

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is usually made based on the observation of clinical symptoms. There is currently no medical test that can definitively confirm the diagnosis of OFD syndrome, with the exception of genetic screening for OFD syndrome type I.

Treatment and management

Treatment of OFD syndrome is directed towards the specific symptoms of each case. Surgical correction of the oral and facial malformations associated with OFD syndrome is often required.

Prognosis

Prognosis depends on the specific type of OFD syndrome and the symptoms present in the individual. OFD syndrome type I is lethal in males before birth. However, other types of OFD syndrome are found in both males and females. Due to the wide variety of symptoms seen in the nine types of the syndrome, overall survival rates are not available.