Clinical Description
Ritscher-Schinzel syndrome (RSS) is relatively rare but is a clinically recognizable condition that includes characteristic dysmorphic facial and skeletal features. This disorder is associated with variable degrees of developmental delay and intellectual disability. Malformations have involved many organs and systems including the eye, central nervous system (CNS), and cardiovascular and skeletal systems. Cardinal features include craniofacial features, cerebellar defects, and cardiovascular malformations resulting in the alternate diagnostic name of 3C syndrome.
The following clinical information is based on numerous published reports [Ritscher et al 1987, Lauener et al 1989, Verloes et al 1989, Marles et al 1995, Leonardi et al 2001, Elliott et al 2013, Friesen et al 2013, Kolanczyk et al 2015, Bartuzi et al 2016].
For a concise summary of the timeline from the original description of RSS to the ultimate identification of the underlying molecular mechanisms, click here (pdf).
Growth. Most affected individuals have a normal birth weight. They tend to have mild short stature and many develop obesity in later childhood that progresses in adulthood [Marles et al 1995, Leonardi et al 2001].
Individuals with a short neck who are obese are at increased risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea.
Craniofacial features. The classic dysmorphic craniofacial features are summarized in Suggestive Findings.
While the palate may be highly arched, fewer than 5% of affected individuals have a cleft palate.
About 20% of affected individuals have micrognathia.
Eye anomalies. Coloboma of the iris and optic nerve is present in about 20% of affected individuals.
Cardiac malformations. A variety of cardiac malformations have been described affecting more than half of individuals with RSS. These include:
Atrioventricular canal defect
Mitral valve anomalies, including cleft mitral valve
Atrial septal defect
Ventricular septal defect
Double-outlet right ventricle
Aortic stenosis
Pulmonary stenosis
Tetralogy of Fallot
Limb abnormalities. Upper-limb abnormalities are present in the majority of affected individuals, including:
A study by Friesen et al [2013] involving eight individuals with RSS from Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario also found significant shortening of the first metacarpal and the fifth distal phalanx. The metacarpal phalangeal pattern profile generated showed a consistent wavy pattern. Also noted were consistent radiographic changes including: overtubulation of the bones (especially metacarpals 2-4), prominent tufts of the distal phalanges and a hypoplastic fifth distal phalanx.
Neurodevelopmental findings. Most individuals with RSS are significantly intellectually impaired. Hypotonia at birth is common. Motor coordination and speech are delayed.
Most affected individuals achieve ambulation and are able to ultimately feed themselves. Most develop limited but meaningful speech.
Brain malformations. The most common CNS malformations are Dandy-Walker malformation or variant, cerebellar vermis hypoplasia, posterior fossa cysts, and (less frequently) hydrocephalus.
Disorders of cholesterol metabolism. Some affected individuals have been found to have hypercholesterolemia, with elevated LDL cholesterol levels that can lead to atherosclerotic plaque deposition. Hypercholesterolemia has been demonstrated to be present in childhood, although xanthomas have not been reported in affected individuals. Hypercholesterolemia is hypothesized to be due to mislocalization of the low-density lipoprotein receptor, accompanied by decreased LDL uptake [Bartuzi et al 2016] (see Phenotype Correlations by Gene).
Other abnormalities. The following have been reported in fewer than 10% of affected individuals; it is unknown whether these are rare features of RSS or if they represent coincidental findings:
In one affected individual, humoral immune deficiency was described [Lauener et al 1989]; it was subsequently found to result from secondary loss of IgG via the gastrointestinal system [Zankl et al 2003].