U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination

Miller Dieker syndrome(MDLS)

MedGen UID:
78538
Concept ID:
C0265219
Disease or Syndrome
Synonyms: Lissencephaly Syndrome, Miller-Dieker; MDLS
SNOMED CT: Lissencephaly syndrome (204036008); Miller Dieker syndrome (253148005); Miller-Dieker syndrome (253148005); Miller-Dieker lissencephaly syndrome (253148005)
Modes of inheritance:
Autosomal dominant inheritance
MedGen UID:
141047
Concept ID:
C0443147
Intellectual Product
Source: Orphanet
A mode of inheritance that is observed for traits related to a gene encoded on one of the autosomes (i.e., the human chromosomes 1-22) in which a trait manifests in heterozygotes. In the context of medical genetics, an autosomal dominant disorder is caused when a single copy of the mutant allele is present. Males and females are affected equally, and can both transmit the disorder with a risk of 50% for each child of inheriting the mutant allele.
 
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0009532
OMIM®: 247200
Orphanet: ORPHA531

Disease characteristics

PAFAH1B1-related lissencephaly / subcortical band heterotopia (SBH) comprises a spectrum of severity. Affected newborns typically have mild-to-moderate hypotonia, feeding difficulties, and poor head control. During the first years, neurologic examination typically demonstrates poor visual tracking and response to sounds, axial hypotonia, and mild distal spasticity that can transition over time to more severe spasticity. Seizures occur in more than 90% of individuals with lissencephaly and often include infantile spasms. Seizures are often drug resistant, but even with good seizure control, the best developmental level achieved (excluding the few individuals with partial lissencephaly) is the equivalent of about age three to five months. In individuals with PAFAH1B1-related lissencephaly/SBH, developmental delay ranges from mild to severe. Other findings in PAFAH1B1-related lissencephaly/SBH include feeding issues and aspiration (which may result in need for gastrostomy tube placement), progressive microcephaly, and occasional developmental regression. [from GeneReviews]
Authors:
Stefanie Brock  |  William B Dobyns  |  Anna Jansen   view full author information

Additional descriptions

From OMIM
Features of the Miller-Dieker syndrome include classic lissencephaly (pachygyria, incomplete or absent gyration of the cerebrum), microcephaly, wrinkled skin over the glabella and frontal suture, prominent occiput, narrow forehead, downward slanting palpebral fissures, small nose and chin, cardiac malformations, hypoplastic male extrenal genitalia, growth retardation, and mental deficiency with seizures and EEG abnormalities. Life expectancy is grossly reduced, with death most often occurring during early childhood (summary by Schinzel, 1988). Lissencephaly means 'smooth brain,' i.e., brain without convolutions or gyri. Deletion of or mutation in the LIS1 gene (PAFAH1B1; 601545) appears to cause the lissencephaly because point mutations have been identified in this gene in isolated lissencephaly sequence (ILS; see 607432). Facial dysmorphism and other anomalies in Miller-Dieker patients appear to be the consequence of deletion of additional genes distal to LIS1. Toyo-oka et al. (2003) presented evidence that the gene whose deletion is responsible for the greater severity of Miller-Dieker syndrome compared to isolated lissencephaly is the gene encoding 14-3-3-epsilon (YWHAE; 605066).  http://www.omim.org/entry/247200
From MedlinePlus Genetics
Miller-Dieker syndrome is a condition characterized by a pattern of abnormal brain development called lissencephaly. Normally, the surface of the brain (cerebral cortex) has folds and grooves. Lissencephaly causes the surface of the brain to be abnormally smooth, with fewer folds and grooves. In people with Miller-Dieker syndrome, lissencephaly is typically associated with severe intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, weak muscle tone (hypotonia), and seizures. Seizures usually begin in the first few months of life.  

People with Miller-Dieker syndrome often have distinctive facial features that include a prominent forehead; a sunken appearance in the middle of the face (midface hypoplasia); a small, upturned nose; low-set and abnormally shaped ears; a small jaw; and a thick upper lip.  Some individuals with this condition also grow more slowly than their peers. Less often, affected individuals have heart problems, kidney abnormalities, or an opening in the wall of the abdomen (an omphalocele) that allows the abdominal organs to protrude through the navel. Because of these severe health issues, most individuals with Miller-Dieker syndrome do not survive beyond early childhood.  https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/miller-dieker-syndrome

Clinical features

From HPO
Cryptorchidism
MedGen UID:
8192
Concept ID:
C0010417
Congenital Abnormality
Cryptorchidism, or failure of testicular descent, is a common human congenital abnormality with a multifactorial etiology that likely reflects the involvement of endocrine, environmental, and hereditary factors. Cryptorchidism can result in infertility and increases risk for testicular tumors. Testicular descent from abdomen to scrotum occurs in 2 distinct phases: the transabdominal phase and the inguinoscrotal phase (summary by Gorlov et al., 2002).
Pelvic kidney
MedGen UID:
67446
Concept ID:
C0221209
Congenital Abnormality
A developmental defect in which a kidney is located in an abnormal anatomic position within the pelvis.
Polydactyly
MedGen UID:
57774
Concept ID:
C0152427
Congenital Abnormality
A congenital anomaly characterized by the presence of supernumerary fingers or toes.
Single transverse palmar crease
MedGen UID:
96108
Concept ID:
C0424731
Finding
The distal and proximal transverse palmar creases are merged into a single transverse palmar crease.
Clinodactyly of the 5th finger
MedGen UID:
340456
Concept ID:
C1850049
Congenital Abnormality
Clinodactyly refers to a bending or curvature of the fifth finger in the radial direction (i.e., towards the 4th finger).
Deep palmar crease
MedGen UID:
387849
Concept ID:
C1857539
Finding
Excessively deep creases of the palm.
Abnormal heart morphology
MedGen UID:
6748
Concept ID:
C0018798
Congenital Abnormality
Any structural anomaly of the heart.
Abnormal cardiovascular system morphology
MedGen UID:
892473
Concept ID:
C4049796
Anatomical Abnormality
Any structural anomaly of the heart and blood vessels.
Fetal growth restriction
MedGen UID:
4693
Concept ID:
C0015934
Pathologic Function
An abnormal restriction of fetal growth with fetal weight below the tenth percentile for gestational age.
Failure to thrive
MedGen UID:
746019
Concept ID:
C2315100
Disease or Syndrome
Failure to thrive (FTT) refers to a child whose physical growth is substantially below the norm.
Duodenal atresia
MedGen UID:
75602
Concept ID:
C0266174
Congenital Abnormality
A developmental defect resulting in complete obliteration of the duodenal lumen, that is, an abnormal closure of the duodenum.
Abnormality of the abdominal wall
MedGen UID:
867301
Concept ID:
C4021664
Anatomical Abnormality
The presence of any abnormality affecting the abdominal wall.
Low-set ears
MedGen UID:
65980
Concept ID:
C0239234
Congenital Abnormality
Upper insertion of the ear to the scalp below an imaginary horizontal line drawn between the inner canthi of the eye and extending posteriorly to the ear.
Posteriorly rotated ears
MedGen UID:
96566
Concept ID:
C0431478
Congenital Abnormality
A type of abnormal location of the ears in which the position of the ears is characterized by posterior rotation (the superior part of the ears is rotated towards the back of the head, and the inferior part of the ears towards the front).
Seizure
MedGen UID:
20693
Concept ID:
C0036572
Sign or Symptom
A seizure is an intermittent abnormality of nervous system physiology characterized by a transient occurrence of signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain.
Lissencephaly
MedGen UID:
78604
Concept ID:
C0266463
Finding
A spectrum of malformations of cortical development caused by insufficient neuronal migration that subsumes the terms agyria, pachygyria and subcortical band heterotopia. See also neuropathological definitions for 2-, 3-, and 4-layered lissencephaly.
Macrogyria
MedGen UID:
120579
Concept ID:
C0266483
Congenital Abnormality
Pachygyria is a malformation of cortical development with abnormally wide gyri with sulci 1,5-3 cm apart and abnormally thick cortex measuring more than 5 mm (radiological definition). See also neuropathological definitions for 2-, 3-, and 4-layered lissencephaly.
Gray matter heterotopia
MedGen UID:
452349
Concept ID:
C0266491
Finding
Heterotopia or neuronal heterotopia are macroscopic clusters of misplaced neurons (gray matter), most often situated along the ventricular walls or within the subcortical white matter.
Hypoplasia of the corpus callosum
MedGen UID:
138005
Concept ID:
C0344482
Congenital Abnormality
Underdevelopment of the corpus callosum.
Epileptic spasm
MedGen UID:
315948
Concept ID:
C1527366
Disease or Syndrome
A sudden flexion, extension, or mixed extension-flexion of predominantly proximal and truncal muscles that is usually more sustained than a myoclonic movement but not as sustained as a tonic seizure. Limited forms may occur
Cavum septum pellucidum
MedGen UID:
327087
Concept ID:
C1840380
Finding
If the two laminae of the septum pellucidum are not fused then a fluid-filled space or cavum is present. The cavum septum pellucidum is present at birth but usually obliterates by the age of 3 to 6 months. It is up to 1cm in width and the walls are parallel. It is an enclosed space and is not part of the ventricular system or connected with the subarachnoid space.
Motor delay
MedGen UID:
381392
Concept ID:
C1854301
Finding
A type of Developmental delay characterized by a delay in acquiring motor skills.
Progressive spastic paraplegia
MedGen UID:
344505
Concept ID:
C1855483
Finding
Agyria
MedGen UID:
361827
Concept ID:
C1879312
Congenital Abnormality
A congenital abnormality of the cerebral hemisphere characterized by lack of gyrations (convolutions) of the cerebral cortex. Agyria is defined as cortical regions lacking gyration with sulci great than 3 cm apart and cerebral cortex thicker than 5 mm.
Intellectual disability
MedGen UID:
811461
Concept ID:
C3714756
Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction
Intellectual disability, previously referred to as mental retardation, is characterized by subnormal intellectual functioning that occurs during the developmental period. It is defined by an IQ score below 70.
Infantile spasms
MedGen UID:
854616
Concept ID:
C3887898
Disease or Syndrome
Infantile spasms represent a subset of "epileptic spasms". Infantile Spasms are epileptic spasms starting in the first year of life (infancy).
Inguinal hernia
MedGen UID:
6817
Concept ID:
C0019294
Finding
Protrusion of the contents of the abdominal cavity through the inguinal canal.
Micrognathia
MedGen UID:
44428
Concept ID:
C0025990
Congenital Abnormality
Developmental hypoplasia of the mandible.
Joint contracture of the hand
MedGen UID:
56382
Concept ID:
C0158113
Finding
Contractures of one ore more joints of the hands meaning chronic loss of joint motion due to structural changes in non-bony tissue.
Frontal bossing
MedGen UID:
67453
Concept ID:
C0221354
Congenital Abnormality
Bilateral bulging of the lateral frontal bone prominences with relative sparing of the midline.
Camptodactyly
MedGen UID:
195780
Concept ID:
C0685409
Congenital Abnormality
The distal interphalangeal joint and/or the proximal interphalangeal joint of the fingers or toes cannot be extended to 180 degrees by either active or passive extension.
Congenital omphalocele
MedGen UID:
162756
Concept ID:
C0795690
Congenital Abnormality
An omphalocele is an abdominal wall defect limited to an open umbilical ring, and is characterized by the herniation of membrane-covered internal organs into the open base of the umbilical cord. Omphalocele is distinguished from gastroschisis (230750), in which the abdominal wall defect is located laterally to a normally closed umbilical ring with herniation of organs that are uncovered by membranes (summary by Bugge, 2010). On the basis of clinical manifestations, epidemiologic characteristics, and the presence of additional malformations, Yang et al. (1992) concluded that omphalocele and gastroschisis are casually and pathogenetically distinct abdominal wall defects. Omphalocele can be a feature of genetic disorders, such as Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (130650) and the Shprintzen-Goldberg syndrome (182210).
Midline brain calcifications
MedGen UID:
383696
Concept ID:
C1855487
Finding
Infantile muscular hypotonia
MedGen UID:
395993
Concept ID:
C1860834
Finding
Muscular hypotonia (abnormally low muscle tone) manifesting in infancy.
Microcephaly
MedGen UID:
1644158
Concept ID:
C4551563
Finding
Head circumference below 2 standard deviations below the mean for age and gender.
Recurrent aspiration pneumonia
MedGen UID:
152887
Concept ID:
C0747651
Disease or Syndrome
Increased susceptibility to aspiration pneumonia, defined as pneumonia due to breathing in foreign material, as manifested by a medical history of repeated episodes of aspiration pneumonia.
Abnormality of metabolism/homeostasis
MedGen UID:
867398
Concept ID:
C4021768
Finding
Delayed eruption of teeth
MedGen UID:
68678
Concept ID:
C0239174
Finding
Delayed tooth eruption, which can be defined as tooth eruption more than 2 SD beyond the mean eruption age.
Upslanted palpebral fissure
MedGen UID:
98390
Concept ID:
C0423109
Finding
The palpebral fissure inclination is more than two standard deviations above the mean for age (objective); or, the inclination of the palpebral fissure is greater than typical for age.
Epicanthus
MedGen UID:
151862
Concept ID:
C0678230
Congenital Abnormality
Epicanthus is a condition in which a fold of skin stretches from the upper to the lower eyelid, partially covering the inner canthus. Usher (1935) noted that epicanthus is a normal finding in the fetus of all races. Epicanthus also occurs in association with hereditary ptosis (110100).
Anteverted nares
MedGen UID:
326648
Concept ID:
C1840077
Finding
Anteriorly-facing nostrils viewed with the head in the Frankfurt horizontal and the eyes of the observer level with the eyes of the subject. This gives the appearance of an upturned nose (upturned nasal tip).
Thick upper lip vermilion
MedGen UID:
339521
Concept ID:
C1846423
Finding
Height of the vermilion of the upper lip in the midline more than 2 SD above the mean. Alternatively, an apparently increased height of the vermilion of the upper lip in the frontal view (subjective).
Wide nasal bridge
MedGen UID:
341441
Concept ID:
C1849367
Finding
Increased breadth of the nasal bridge (and with it, the nasal root).
Short nose
MedGen UID:
343052
Concept ID:
C1854114
Finding
Distance from nasion to subnasale more than two standard deviations below the mean, or alternatively, an apparently decreased length from the nasal root to the nasal tip.
Bitemporal hollowing
MedGen UID:
343363
Concept ID:
C1855488
Finding
Depression of profile in both temporal regions.
Thin upper lip vermilion
MedGen UID:
355352
Concept ID:
C1865017
Finding
Height of the vermilion of the upper lip in the midline more than 2 SD below the mean. Alternatively, an apparently reduced height of the vermilion of the upper lip in the frontal view (subjective).
Cleft palate
MedGen UID:
756015
Concept ID:
C2981150
Congenital Abnormality
Cleft palate is a developmental defect of the palate resulting from a failure of fusion of the palatine processes and manifesting as a separation of the roof of the mouth (soft and hard palate).
Sacral dimple
MedGen UID:
98428
Concept ID:
C0426848
Finding
A cutaneous indentation resulting from tethering of the skin to underlying structures (bone) of the intergluteal cleft.
Polyhydramnios
MedGen UID:
6936
Concept ID:
C0020224
Pathologic Function
The presence of excess amniotic fluid in the uterus during pregnancy.
Decreased fetal movement
MedGen UID:
68618
Concept ID:
C0235659
Finding
An abnormal reduction in quantity or strength of fetal movements.
Cataract
MedGen UID:
39462
Concept ID:
C0086543
Disease or Syndrome
A cataract is an opacity or clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its capsule.

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Zhang YL, Jing XY, Zhen L, Pan M, Han J, Li DZ
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2022 Jul;274:28-32. Epub 2022 May 6 doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2022.04.025. PMID: 35567955
Li C, Zhang J, Li J, Qiao G, Zhan Y, Xu Y, Yang H
Mol Diagn Ther 2021 May;25(3):339-349. Epub 2021 Apr 7 doi: 10.1007/s40291-021-00522-w. PMID: 33826125
Shi X, Huang W, Lu J, He W, Liu Q, Wu J
Ann Hum Genet 2021 Mar;85(2):92-96. Epub 2020 Oct 7 doi: 10.1111/ahg.12407. PMID: 33026665

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Liang B, Yu D, Zhao W, Wang Y, Wu X, Chen L, Lin N, Huang H, Xu L
BMC Med Genomics 2022 Dec 21;15(1):268. doi: 10.1186/s12920-022-01423-5. PMID: 36544138Free PMC Article
Zhang YL, Jing XY, Zhen L, Pan M, Han J, Li DZ
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2022 Jul;274:28-32. Epub 2022 May 6 doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2022.04.025. PMID: 35567955
Sabitha KR, Shetty AK, Upadhya D
Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021 Feb;121:201-219. Epub 2020 Dec 25 doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.12.025. PMID: 33370574Free PMC Article
Nam KH, Yi SA, Jang HJ, Han JW, Lee J
Arch Pharm Res 2020 Sep;43(9):877-889. Epub 2020 Aug 5 doi: 10.1007/s12272-020-01260-z. PMID: 32761309
Martin JB
Ann Neurol 1993 Dec;34(6):757-73. doi: 10.1002/ana.410340603. PMID: 8250524

Diagnosis

Cera AJ, Mokha S, Sunderji S, Cortez D, Bautista GM
Pediatr Ann 2023 Aug;52(8):e283-e291. Epub 2023 Aug 1 doi: 10.3928/19382359-20230613-02. PMID: 37561828Free PMC Article
Liang B, Yu D, Zhao W, Wang Y, Wu X, Chen L, Lin N, Huang H, Xu L
BMC Med Genomics 2022 Dec 21;15(1):268. doi: 10.1186/s12920-022-01423-5. PMID: 36544138Free PMC Article
Zhang YL, Jing XY, Zhen L, Pan M, Han J, Li DZ
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2022 Jul;274:28-32. Epub 2022 May 6 doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2022.04.025. PMID: 35567955
Shi X, Huang W, Lu J, He W, Liu Q, Wu J
Ann Hum Genet 2021 Mar;85(2):92-96. Epub 2020 Oct 7 doi: 10.1111/ahg.12407. PMID: 33026665
Dallapiccola B, Mingarelli R, Novelli G
Biomed Pharmacother 1995;49(2):83-93. doi: 10.1016/0753-3322(96)82592-3. PMID: 7605907

Therapy

Ohara K, Katada A, Kumai T, Ominato H, Hirata-Nozaki Y, Sabusawa T, Yamaki H, Kono M, Komatsuda H, Wakisaka R, Takahara M, Hayashi T, Harabuchi Y
Auris Nasus Larynx 2023 Aug;50(4):628-631. Epub 2022 May 12 doi: 10.1016/j.anl.2022.04.011. PMID: 35568581
Østergaard JR, Graakjær J, Brandt C, Birkebæk NH
Eur J Med Genet 2012 Jan;55(1):22-6. Epub 2011 Oct 24 doi: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2011.09.004. PMID: 22085993
Saito T, Hanai S, Takashima S, Nakagawa E, Okazaki S, Inoue T, Miyata R, Hoshino K, Akashi T, Sasaki M, Goto Y, Hayashi M, Itoh M
Cereb Cortex 2011 Mar;21(3):588-96. Epub 2010 Jul 12 doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhq125. PMID: 20624841
Munakata M, Kobayashi K, Niisato-Nezu J, Tanaka S, Kakisaka Y, Ebihara T, Ebihara S, Haginoya K, Tsuchiya S, Onuma A
Tohoku J Exp Med 2008 Apr;214(4):327-32. doi: 10.1620/tjem.214.327. PMID: 18441508
de Rijk-van Andel JF, Arts WF, Barth PG, Loonen MC
Dev Med Child Neurol 1990 Aug;32(8):707-17. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.1990.tb08431.x. PMID: 2210085

Prognosis

Kim YJ, Byun SY, Jo SA, Shin YB, Cho EH, Lee EY, Hwang SH
Korean J Lab Med 2011 Jan;31(1):49-53. doi: 10.3343/kjlm.2011.31.1.49. PMID: 21239872Free PMC Article
Kato M, Dobyns WB
Hum Mol Genet 2003 Apr 1;12 Spec No 1:R89-96. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddg086. PMID: 12668601
Chong SS, Tanigami A, Roschke AV, Ledbetter DH
Genome Res 1996 Aug;6(8):735-41. doi: 10.1101/gr.6.8.735. PMID: 8858348
Holzgreve W, Feil R, Louwen F, Miny P
Childs Nerv Syst 1993 Nov;9(7):408-12. doi: 10.1007/BF00306194. PMID: 8306357
Dobyns WB, Stratton RF, Greenberg F
Am J Med Genet 1984 Jul;18(3):509-26. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.1320180320. PMID: 6476009

Clinical prediction guides

Bosch DG, Boonstra FN, Reijnders MR, Pfundt R, Cremers FP, de Vries BB
Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2014 Nov;18(6):677-84. Epub 2014 May 22 doi: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2014.05.002. PMID: 24912731
Schinzel A, Niedrist D
Am J Med Genet 2001 Summer;106(2):119-24. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.1576. PMID: 11579431
Dobyns WB, Andermann E, Andermann F, Czapansky-Beilman D, Dubeau F, Dulac O, Guerrini R, Hirsch B, Ledbetter DH, Lee NS, Motte J, Pinard JM, Radtke RA, Ross ME, Tampieri D, Walsh CA, Truwit CL
Neurology 1996 Aug;47(2):331-9. doi: 10.1212/wnl.47.2.331. PMID: 8757001
Dobyns WB, Truwit CL
Neuropediatrics 1995 Jun;26(3):132-47. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-979744. PMID: 7477752
Kuchelmeister K, Bergmann M, Gullotta F
Childs Nerv Syst 1993 Nov;9(7):394-9. doi: 10.1007/BF00306191. PMID: 8306354

Supplemental Content

Table of contents

    Clinical resources

    Practice guidelines

    • PubMed
      See practice and clinical guidelines in PubMed. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.

    Recent activity

    Your browsing activity is empty.

    Activity recording is turned off.

    Turn recording back on

    See more...