Clinical Description
FG Syndrome Type 1 (FGS1)
FGS1 is an X-linked disorder associated with intellectual disability, hypotonia, relative macrocephaly, broad and flat thumbs, and imperforate anus. The clinical phenotype attributed to FGS1 has widened since the initial description. Many of the clinical features in individuals reported to have FGS1 are nonspecific and may lead to overdiagnosis [Clark et al 2009].
Craniofacial. The most characteristic craniofacial feature is small, simple ears. Other common craniofacial features in individuals with FGS1 include dolichocephaly, frontal hair upsweep, tall forehead, downslanted palpebral fissures, and widely spaced eyes [Risheg et al 2007, Clark et al 2009]. High arched palate, micrognathia, open mouth, narrow auditory canals, fullness of the upper eyelids, and craniosynostosis have also been described [Clark et al 2009].
Growth. Absolute or relative macrocephaly is frequently associated with FGS1 [Clark et al 2009]. Most individuals have a head circumference percentile greater than height percentile [Risheg et al 2007]. Although most affected individuals have normal height, short stature is not uncommon [Clark et al 2009].
Development. Although mild-to-severe cognitive impairment has been reported in the majority of individuals with FGS1, an affected individual may have a borderline to low-normal IQ if other family members have an average to above-average IQ [Clark et al 2009].
Behavior. Behavior abnormalities are commonly found in individuals with FGS1. Problems with expressive language can contribute to behavior issues including aggression, inattention, and anxiety [Clark et al 2009].
Central nervous system. Hypotonia has been described in the majority of affected individuals [Clark et al 2009]. The most common brain MRI finding is partial or complete agenesis of the corpus callosum [Risheg et al 2007, Clark et al 2009]. Seizures and EEG abnormalities have been described [Risheg et al 2007].
Ophthalmologic. Strabismus is relatively common in individuals with FGS1. Large corneas, optic atrophy, nystagmus, cataract, coloboma, phthisis bulbi, retinal detachment, and decreased visual acuity have also been reported [Clark et al 2009].
Gastrointestinal. Constipation, feeding problems in infancy, and gastroesophageal reflux disease are commonly associated with FGS1. Anal anomalies are a frequent finding and can include imperforate anus, anal stenosis, anal fistula, and anteriorly displaced anus [Risheg et al 2007, Clark et al 2009]. Pyloric stenosis and megacolon have also been identified [Clark et al 2009].
Musculoskeletal. The most characteristic musculoskeletal feature is broad thumbs and halluces. The thumbs are typically wide and flat. Single transverse palmar creases and short hands and fingers have been less commonly observed [Risheg et al 2007]. Fetal pads on the fingers and toes have been identified [Clark et al 2009]. Fingernails have been described as distally adherent to the soft tissue.
Other musculoskeletal features described in individuals with FGS1 include: cutaneous syndactyly, oligodactyly, joint hypermobility, joint contractures, limited elbow supination, ectrodactyly, clinodactyly, duplicated thumbs and halluces, spinal curvature, pectus excavatum, rib anomalies, and hip dysplasia [Clark et al 2009].
Genitourinary. Cryptorchidism and inguinal hernia are relatively common [Risheg et al 2007, Clark et al 2009]. Renal cysts and renal stones are less commonly reported [Clark et al 2009].
Cardiovascular. Congenital heart defects have been identified in approximately 60% of individuals with FGS1. Septal defects are most commonly reported. Other cardiac features include: atrioventricular canal defect, hypoplastic left heart, mitral valve prolapse, pulmonary artery hypertension, and patent ductus arteriosus [Clark et al 2009].
Morbidity and mortality. Early infant mortality and multiple miscarriages have been reported in families with FGS1. However, mortality rate is not substantially elevated following infancy, with long-term survival reported and several individuals surviving beyond age 50 years [Clark et al 2009].
Heterozygous females. Carrier females in families with FGS1 are typically unaffected [Clark et al 2009]. X-chromosome inactivation studies in females from six families with FGS1 caused by the p.Arg961Trp
MED12 pathogenic variant were markedly skewed (>90%) in three families, moderately skewed (80%-90%) in one family, and random in two families [Risheg et al 2007].
Lujan Syndrome (LS)
A pathogenic p.Asn1007Ser missense variant in MED12 has been reported in three families with LS. A number of LS features (including intellectual disability, hypotonia, and dysgenesis of the corpus callosum) overlap with FGS1 [Schwartz et al 2007, Khan et al 2016]. Features of LS that distinguish it from FGS1 include tall and thin habitus, prominent nasal bridge, short philtrum, and high narrow palate.
Craniofacial. Individuals with LS characteristically have a tall narrow face, prominent nasal bridge, malar flattening, short philtrum, high narrow palate, dental crowding, and micrognathia. Hypotelorism is a relatively common finding. Other reported features include: dolichocephaly, prominent forehead, downslanted palpebral fissures, ptosis, narrow nose, open mouth, double row of teeth, and abnormal ears [Schwartz et al 2007].
Growth. A large head circumference (>75th percentile) has been reported in most individuals with LS. One affected male was reported with borderline microcephaly. Affected individuals are typically tall and thin with height greater than 75th percentile. Individuals have been described as having a marfanoid appearance. However, the arm span percentile was not significantly greater than the height percentile in individuals reported with the p.Asn1007Ser pathogenic variant [Schwartz et al 2007].
Development. Most individuals with LS have mild-to-moderate intellectual disability. Affected individuals with normal development and an IQ above 70 have been reported [Khan et al 2016]. Speech is often hypernasal [Schwartz et al 2007, Khan et al 2016].
Behavior. Individuals with LS are commonly hyperactive, aggressive, shy, and attention-seeking. Asperger syndrome was diagnosed in one individual [Schwartz et al 2007].
Central nervous system. Hypotonia is a characteristic feature of LS. In addition, abnormalities of the corpus callosum and seizures have been reported [Schwartz et al 2007].
Ophthalmologic. Strabismus has been identified in individuals with LS [Schwartz et al 2007].
Gastrointestinal. Dysphagia and nasal regurgitation were reported in one individual [Khan et al 2016].
Musculoskeletal. Long hands, long fingers, and hyperextensible digits are common. Broad thumbs, pectus excavatum, long second toe, pes planus, and contractures have also been reported [Schwartz et al 2007].
Genitourinary. Small testes, large testes, and varicoceles have been reported in individuals with LS [Schwartz et al 2007].
Cardiovascular. A male with LS was found to have mild aortic regurgitation and minimal mitral valve prolapse [Khan et al 2016].
Heterozygous females. Carrier females in families with LS caused by the p.Asn1007Ser pathogenic variant are typically unaffected. X-chromosome inactivation studies did not detect significant skewing [Schwartz et al 2007].
X-Linked Ohdo Syndrome (XLOS)
XLOS is characterized by blepharophimosis, intellectual disability, and coarse facial features [Vulto-van Silfhout et al 2013]. Pathogenic missense variants in MED12 associated with XLOS have typically been described in affected males [Vulto-van Silfhout et al 2013, Isidor et al 2014, Patil et al 2017, Rubin et al 2020]. Murakami et al [2020] reported a novel MED12 variant in a female.
Craniofacial. Individuals with XLOS characteristically have blepharophimosis, ptosis, sparse eyebrows, and epicanthal folds along with a wide and low nasal bridge, broad nasal tip, small mouth, maxillary hypoplasia, micrognathia, and triangular face [Vulto-van Silfhout et al 2013]. Less commonly reported clinical features include a high prominent forehead, frontal hair upsweep, thick arched eyebrows, hypertelorism, high narrow palate, thin vermilion of the upper lip, microdontia, small posteriorly rotated ears, low-set ears, and narrow auditory canals [Vulto-van Silfhout et al 2013, Patil et al 2017].
Growth. Although growth can be normal, short stature and microcephaly have also been reported [Vulto-van Silfhout et al 2013, Patil et al 2017].
Development. Mild-to-severe developmental delay with little to no speech is typical [Vulto-van Silfhout et al 2013, Patil et al 2017].
Behavior. Individuals with XLOS commonly have behavior issues that include hyperactivity, hand flapping, and aggression. Many are described as being friendly. Autism has been reported in one individual [Vulto-van Silfhout et al 2013].
Central nervous system. Hypotonia is common. Seizures and corpus callosum dysgenesis have also been reported [Vulto-van Silfhout et al 2013, Isidor et al 2014].
Auditory. Hearing loss is relatively common in individuals with XLOS [Vulto-van Silfhout et al 2013, Patil et al 2017].
Ophthalmologic. Strabismus, microphthalmia, and hypermetropia have been identified in individuals with XLOS [Vulto-van Silfhout et al 2013, Murakami et al 2020].
Gastrointestinal. Feeding problems, constipation, Hirschsprung disease, and anteriorly displaced anus have been reported [Vulto-van Silfhout et al 2013, Isidor et al 2014, Patil et al 2017].
Musculoskeletal. Joint hypermobility is relatively common in XLOS. Other reported musculoskeletal issues include long thin fingers, short thumbs, camptodactyly, clinodactyly, overriding toes, horizontal palmar creases, scoliosis, narrow thorax, short neck, winged scapula, short humeri with enlarged metaphyses, and hip dysplasia [Vulto-van Silfhout et al 2013, Isidor et al 2014, Patil et al 2017, Murakami et al 2020].
Genitourinary. Cryptorchidism, small penis, hypospadias, chordee, inguinal hernia, hydrocele, and shawl scrotum have been reported in individuals with XLOS [Vulto-van Silfhout et al 2013, Patil et al 2017]. Hypoplastic kidneys and renal cysts have also been reported [Isidor et al 2014].
Cardiovascular. Tetralogy of Fallot, atrioventricular canal, pulmonic stenosis, and septal defects have been reported [Isidor et al 2014, Patil et al 2017, Rubin et al 2020].
Dermatologic. A female with XLOS was reported with patchy skin hypopigmentation [Murakami et al 2020].
Immunology. Three sibs with XLOS were reported with low B-cell levels [Rubin et al 2020].
Perinatal. Oligohydramnios and hydrops have been reported in fetuses with XLOS [Vulto-van Silfhout et al 2013, Isidor et al 2014].
Heterozygous females. Carrier females in families with XLOS are typically unaffected. X-chromosome inactivation studies revealed significant (>90%) skewing in two families [Vulto-van Silfhout et al 2013]. A female reported with clinical features of XLOS was found to have moderate skewing (87%) [Murakami et al 2020].
Hardikar Syndrome (HS)
HS is characterized by cleft lip and/or cleft palate, biliary anomalies, pigmentary retinopathy, intestinal malrotation, coarctation of the aorta, and normal cognition [Li et al 2021]. Only females have been reported to have MED12-related HS; pathogenic frameshift or nonsense variants have been described in seven females [Li et al 2021].
Craniofacial. Orofacial clefting was present in the following reported females with HS due to a MED12 variant: cleft lip and palate in four females, cleft palate in two females, and cleft lip in one female [Li et al 2021]. Mild micrognathia was reported in one affected female. Preauricular pits are common with preauricular tags, abnormal helices, duplicated tragus, and posteriorly rotated ears also reported. A paranasal root pit has been reported in one individual [Li et al 2021].
Growth. Some affected females have been reported as having short stature and being underweight. Microcephaly was reported in one affected female and borderline macrocephaly in another [Li et al 2021].
Development. Females reported to have HS have not had any developmental or cognitive issues [Li et al 2021].
Auditory. Hearing loss has been reported in two females with HS [Li et al 2021].
Ophthalmologic. Pigmentary retinopathy is relatively common with retinal findings identified in five of seven females with HS and an MED12 variant. Strabismus and ptosis have also been reported [Li et al 2021].
Gastrointestinal. Biliary anomalies, intestinal malrotation, and choledochal cysts are relatively common. Diaphragmatic hernia, absent gall bladder, Meckel diverticulum, duodenal stenosis, cholestasis, hepatic fibrosis, imperforate anus, and constipation have also been reported [Li et al 2021].
Musculoskeletal. Affected females have been reported with developmental hip dysplasia, single transverse palmar creases, clinodactyly, 2-3 toe syndactyly, hypoplastic toenails, and sacral dimple [Li et al 2021].
Genitourinary. Hydronephrosis and ectopic ureters have been reported in multiple affected females with HS. Megaureter, cloacal anomalies, bladder exstrophy, and vaginal atresia have also been reported [Li et al 2021].
Cardiovascular. Coarctation of the aorta has been reported in affected females. Ventricular septal defect, pulmonic stenosis, and patent ductus arteriosus have also been reported. Carotid artery aneurysm was reported in one female. One female reported had a fatal intracranial hemorrhage [Li et al 2021].
Nonspecific Intellectual Disability (NSID)
Both males and females have been reported with MED12-related NSID. Individuals with NSID can have a wide range of clinical features that often overlap with, but are not reported to be consistent with, other MED12-related disorders.
Craniofacial. Males and females with NSID often have craniofacial features that overlap syndromic MED12-related disorders. Common craniofacial features include blepharophimosis, ptosis, epicanthal folds, downslanting palpebral fissures, small ears, low-set posteriorly rotated ears, hypertelorism, and prominent forehead [Langley et al 2015, Polla et al 2021]. Additional craniofacial features reported include coarse face, triangular face, long face, brachycephaly, deep-set eyes, anteverted nares, high nasal bridge, malar hypoplasia, micrognathia, prognathism, small mouth, short philtrum, and sparse hair [Lesca et al 2013, Charzewska et al 2018, Amodeo et al 2020, Rubinato et al 2020, Polla et al 2021]. Males with NSID have been reported with hypotelorism [Langley et al 2015]. Large ears have also been reported [Yamamoto & Shimojima 2015, Charzewska et al 2018], as well as orofacial anomalies including cleft lip, cleft palate, high palate, bifid uvula, velopharyngeal insufficiency, and Pierre Robin sequence [Prescott et al 2016, Rubinato et al 2020, Wang et al 2020, Polla et al 2021]. Thin lips, preauricular pits, preauricular tags, and craniosynostosis have also been reported [Rubinato et al 2020, Riccardi et al 2021].
Dental. A variety of dental anomalies have been reported in females including crowded teeth, widely spaced teeth, and supernumerary incisor [Polla et al 2021, Riccardi et al 2021]. Large incisors have been reported in males and females [Yamamoto & Shimojima 2015, Lahbib et al 2019, Riccardi et al 2021]. Males have been reported with hypodontia [Rubinato et al 2020].
Growth. Females with NSID due to missense variants in MED12 typically have normal growth or tall stature, while females with NSID due to truncating variants are not uncommonly reported with short stature that may become more evident over time. Microcephaly and macrocephaly have rarely been reported in females [Polla et al 2021, Gonzalez et al 2021]. Obesity has been reported in one female [Gonzalez et al 2021]. Males have been reported with tall stature and relative macrocephaly [Rubinato et al 2020]. Short stature, failure to thrive, and microcephaly have also been reported in males [Langley et al 2015, Charzewska et al 2018].
Development. Males with NSID have been reported with borderline-to-severe intellectual disability, speech delay, hypernasal speech, dyspraxia, and dysgraphia [Lesca et al 2013, Charzewska et al 2018, Rubinato et al 2020]. Females with NSID due to truncating and missense variants have been reported with mild-to-profound intellectual disability [Polla et al 2021, Riccardi et al 2021]. One female with a de novo missense variant was reported to have an IQ of 83 by Polla et al [2021]. Significant speech delay is common in females [Polla et al 2021].
Behavior. Autistic features and attention issues are relatively common in females [Polla et al 2021, Riccardi et al 2021]. Autism has also been reported in males [Lahbib et al 2019]. Males have also been reported with friendly personalities along with anxiety, aggression, and psychosis [Charzewska et al 2018, Rubinato et al 2020].
Central nervous system. Hypotonia is relatively common in females with NSID. Seizures have been reported more commonly in females with missense variants in MED12 than with truncating variants. Abnormalities of the corpus callosum are relatively common in females. Affected females have also been reported with ventriculomegaly [Polla et al 2021]. White matter anomalies were reported in one female [Riccardi et al 2021]. Males with NSID have been reported with hypotonia, corpus callosum abnormalities, seizures, and mega cisterna magna [Charzewska et al 2018, Rubinato et al 2020].
Auditory. Hearing loss has been reported in males and females with NSID [Prescott et al 2016, Rubinato et al 2020, Polla et al 2021, Riccardi et al 2021]. A male was reported with inner ear anomalies [Prescott et al 2016].
Ophthalmologic. Strabismus and nystagmus are relatively common in females with NSID [Polla et al 2021]. Hypermetropia, astigmatism, lacrimal duct stenosis, and stellate irides have also been reported in affected females [Riccardi et al 2021]. Strabismus and horizontal gaze paresis have been reported in males [Prescott et al 2016, Charzewska et al 2018, Rubinato et al 2020].
Gastrointestinal. Feeding issues are relatively common in individuals with NSID [Langley et al 2015, Polla et al 2021]. Anteriorly placed anus, anal stenosis, sacral dimple, constipation, and anomalies of the larynx have also been reported in females [Polla et al 2021, Riccardi et al 2021]. Males have been reported with constipation, feeding problems, gastroesophageal reflux, anal anomaly, and Hirschsprung disease [Langley et al 2015, Yamamoto & Shimojima 2015, Charzewska et al 2018].
Musculoskeletal. Syndactyly, scoliosis, pectus anomalies, and rhizomelia have been reported in females with MED12-related NSID [Polla et al 2021, Riccardi et al 2021]. Vertebral anomalies, wide neck, long hands, camptodactyly, joint contractures, pes planus, short feet, sandal gap, single palmar creases, and joint hypermobility have been reported in males [Prescott et al 2016, Charzewska et al 2018, Amodeo et al 2020, Rubinato et al 2020].
Genitourinary. Cryptorchidism, chordee, genital hypoplasia, inguinal hernia, and urinary incontinence have been reported in males [Langley et al 2015, Charzewska et al 2018, Rubinato et al 2020].
Cardiovascular. Tetralogy of Fallot, atrioventricular septal defect, pulmonic stenosis, narrow aortic arch, patent ductus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, and tricuspid valve insufficiency have been reported in females [Wang et al 2020, Polla et al 2021, Riccardi et al 2021]. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome has been reported in one female [Polla et al 2021]. Males have been reported with truncus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect, aortopulmonary window, and tricuspid regurgitation [Amodeo et al 2020].
Dermatologic. Females with NSID have been reported to have anomalies of pigmentation [Polla et al 2021, Riccardi et al 2021].