Clinical Description
Cardiofaciocutaneous (CFC) syndrome is a multiple congenital anomaly disorder in which individuals may have dysmorphic craniofacial features, cardiac issues, skin and hair abnormalities, hypotonia, eye abnormalities, gastrointestinal dysfunction, seizures, and varying degrees of neurocognitive delay [Pierpont et al 2014] (see Table 2). While many features have been seen in association with this condition, individuals with CFC syndrome display phenotypic variability and therefore not all have every finding.
Polyhydramnios is present in the vast majority of fetal cases diagnosed in utero. Maternal hyperemesis gravidarum, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia may occur, and subjective decrease in fetal movement may be observed prenatally. Second- and third-trimester ultrasound abnormalities may include polyhydramnios, macrocephaly, macrosomia, and renal and cardiac abnormalities. Operative delivery is not uncommon.
Neonatal outcomes of CFC individuals may include irregular heartbeat, intubation, need for feeding tube, edema, chylothorax, and hyperbilirubinemia, which may be confounded by the increased rate of prematurity [Jelin et al 2023].
Table 2.
Cardiofaciocutaneous Syndrome: Frequency of Select Features
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Feature | Frequency | Comment |
---|
Nearly all | Common | Less frequent |
---|
Prenatal polyhydramnios | ● | | | |
Characteristic facial features | ● | | | |
Cardiac issues | ● | | | |
Feeding difficulties | ● | | | |
Poor growth | ● | | | |
Skin issues | ● | | | |
Neurocognitive delays | ● | | | Ranging from mild to profound |
Eye anomalies | ● | | | |
Musculoskeletal abnormalities | ● | | | |
Hypotonia & motor developmental delay | ● | | | |
Seizures | | ● | | |
Behavioral issues | | ● | | |
Neonatal chylothorax &/or lymphedema | | ● | | |
Otolaryngologic issues | | ● | | Most commonly recurrent otitis media |
Urogenital anomalies | | ● | | Most commonly cryptorchidism in males |
Malignancy | | | ● | |
Hematologic issue | | | ● | |
Immunologic issues | | | ● | |
Dysmorphic features (see ) are often helpful in making the diagnosis. By late adolescence to early adulthood, the craniofacial appearance becomes less like that seen in Noonan syndrome. Dysmorphic features in CFC syndrome can include:
Relative macrocephaly
Triangular facies
Bitemporal narrowing
High anterior hairline
Hypoplasia of the supraorbital ridges
Widely spaced eyes
Telecanthus
Downslanted palpebral fissures
Epicanthal folds
Ptosis
Short nose with depressed bridge and anteverted nares
Ear lobe creases
Low-set ears that may be posteriorly rotated
Deep philtrum
Cupid's bow configuration of the upper lip
High-arched palate
Relative micrognathia
Cardiac issues occur in approximately 75%-80% of individuals. Cardiac abnormalities, when present, typically present at birth, although hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and rhythm disturbances may manifest later in life. Cardiac findings can include the following:
Pulmonic stenosis
Atrial septal defects and/or ventricular septal defects
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Heart valve anomalies (mitral valve dysplasia, tricuspid valve dysplasia, and bicuspid aortic valve)
Rhythm disturbances
Gastrointestinal/feeding issues. Most affected individuals have severe feeding issues, which can contribute to poor growth. Many children require nasogastric or gastrostomy tube feeding, while some undergo a Nissen fundoplication procedure for severe gastroesophageal reflux. Oral feedings are typically achieved in early childhood. Constipation is typically reported and continues to be an issue throughout childhood and adolescence. Later in childhood, feeding difficulties and hypotonia often improve. Other issues may include the following:
Aspiration or swallowing problems, which may improve with age
Recurrent vomiting, which may be association with gastroesophageal reflux disease or malrotation
Oral aversion
Dysmotility
Intestinal malrotation
Umbilical and inguinal hernia
Poor growth affects most individuals with CFC syndrome. Growth parameters may be normal at birth, with appropriate birth weight and length; however, weight and length may drop to below the fifth centile during early infancy, while head circumference typically remains within the normal range, resulting in relative macrocephaly.
Ectodermal findings. All individuals with CFC syndrome will develop dermatologic issues. With age, the dryness of the skin and the follicular hyperkeratosis tend to improve, allowing hair to grow on the face and scalp [Roberts et al 2006]; however, palmoplantar hyperkeratosis and lymphedema may become more severe. Nevi, when present, increase in number over time [Siegel et al 2011]. Individuals with CFC syndrome have been known to develop severe skin infections.
Skin findings can include the following:
Xerosis
Hyperkeratosis of arms, legs, and face
Keratosis pilaris
Ichthyosis
Ulerythema ophryogenes
Eczema
Hemangiomas
Café au lait macules
Erythema, both on the face or generalized
Pigmented moles that may be progressive in number
Palmoplantar hyperkeratosis over pressure zones
Hair may be sparse to absent, but affected individuals may have normal eyelashes and eyebrows. Hair can be curly; fine or thick; and/or woolly or brittle.
Nails may be dystrophic; flat and broad nails; and/or fast growing.
Developmental delay (DD) and intellectual disability (ID). The vast majority of children, if not all, have some form of neurologic abnormality, neurocognitive delay, or learning issues. Overall, developmental delay typically ranges from mild to profound, although some individuals have IQs in the normal range. Developmental delay may be less obvious in mildly or moderately affected individuals, but speech and motor delays and difficulty walking become apparent in those who are more severely affected.
The vast majority of affected individuals have hypotonia due to a skeletal muscle myopathy, causing motor delays. The average age of walking in those who become ambulatory is around three years; however, many never achieve this goal.
A significant number of affected individuals remain nonverbal. In those who develop verbal language skills, the first word is said on average by age two years.
Some young adults participate in assisted living programs and may have supervised employment.
Other neurologic/neurodevelopmental features
Hypotonia. Global hypotonia is typically evident in the newborn period. Delayed motor skills, muscle weakness, and decreased muscle bulk is commonly present. As children grow older, muscle weakness appears to gradually improve, although individuals still may have gross motor delays.
Seizures. More than 50% of individuals with CFC syndrome develop a seizure disorder. Seizure types may include complex partial seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, absence seizures, and/or infantile spasms. Most seizures begin in infancy or early childhood [
Yoon et al 2007,
Pierpont et al 2022]; however, a seizure disorder may develop later in childhood as well. Seizures may require polytherapy and can be refractory to therapy (see
Treatment of Manifestations).
Head MRI findings may include Chiari I malformation, ventriculomegaly, hydrocephalus, prominent Virchow-Robin spaces, abnormal myelination, and structural anomalies.
Neuropathy may occur and is typically underreported. Musculoskeletal pain is not uncommon and may be acute or chronic [
Leoni et al 2019].
Neurobehavioral issues are common and may include irritability, short attention span, stubbornness, and obsessive and/or aggressive behaviors. Anxiety is commonly reported. Autism may also be seen in individuals with CFC syndrome.
Eye abnormalities are present in most individuals and may result in decreased vision and acuity. Findings may include the following:
Strabismus
Nystagmus
Optic nerve hypoplasia
Astigmatism
Myopia
Hyperopia
Musculoskeletal. The vast majority of affected individuals have musculoskeletal findings including a paucity of muscle mass, skeletal myopathy, and lax joints [Tidyman et al 2011]. Orthopedic issues can include pectus deformity, pes planus, hip dysplasia, scoliosis, kyphosis, gait disturbances, and/or joint contractures of the elbow, knee, and/or hip. Contractures may be progressive and require surgical intervention. Many affected individuals require ambulatory assistance. Bone mineral density may also be reduced [Stevenson et al 2011].
Neonatal lymphatic issues. Chylothorax and lymphedema have been reported at birth, although the natural history of these findings has not been reported. Peripheral edema in older individuals may occur.
Otolaryngologic issues. Many affected children experience recurrent otitis media and are found to have narrow external auditory canals. Many require pressure equalization tubes.
Hyperacusis and hearing loss have been reported.
Renal/urogenital anomalies occur in up to 33% of individuals, with cryptorchidism in males being the most common. Renal cysts and stones as well as hydronephrosis and hydroureter can also occur. Bladder, uterine, and cervical abnormalities, though rare, have been reported.
Less common features
Endocrinology. Although the vast majority of affected children have not been formally tested, some have true growth hormone deficiency. Affected individuals are also at risk for the development of growth hormone resistance. Both delayed puberty and precocious puberty may occur in males and females. Hypothyroidism has also been reported.
Respiratory/sleep. Laryngotracheal abnormalities such as laryngotracheomalacia and laryngeal clefts have been reported. Sleep issues are common and may include poor sleeping patterns, night sweating, sleep apnea, and/or night terrors.
Bleeding diathesis has rarely been reported, including a case of von Willebrand disorder as well as a rare case of transient thrombocytopenia in a newborn.