Inv(4)(p16q21). A five-generation pedigree with 24 carriers and no recombinants

Achondrogenesis type II with polydactyly

We report on a newborn male infant who presented the typical findings of achondrogenesis type II (Langer-Saldino), and who also showed postaxial polydactyly on both feet and bilateral microtia. Polydactyly is frequently part of the short-rib syndromes, but has not been reported in achondrogenesis. The hypothesis of polydactyly as part of a contiguous gene syndrome is discussed.

Pericentric inversions of chromosome 4: report of a new family and review of the literature

A family was cytogenetically studied because of the birth of a male child with a multiple congenital anomaly pattern, in whom a dup (4q) recombinant was found. His phenotypically normal mother's karyotype showed an apparently balanced pericentric inversion in a chromosome 4. So as to analyze the occurrence of recombinants, the cytogenetic data from this family are compared with those of the 18 previously reported familial cases of pericentric inversions (PIs) of chromosome 4. The congenital anomalies observed in the child strongly suggest Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome but some of his clinical features seem to be pathogenetically related to the presence of lymphedema during the intrauterine period. In the multiple congenital anomaly pattern observed in this patient, the lymphedema could be the consequence of the large 4q duplication. The review of chromosome 4 PIs with 4q duplication suggests that the q3 region should be examined when edema is detected prenatally.

Paternal pericentric inversion of chromosome 4 as a cause of recurrent pregnancy loss

A paternal pericentric inversion of chromosome 4 was ascertained through karyotype analysis of an abortus specimen proven to be 46,XX,rec(4),dup q, inv (4)(p13q28). The relationship of paternal pericentric inversion to pregnancy loss is discussed, and a recommendation for karyotype analysis of recurrent abortion specimens is made.

Short rib-polydactyly syndrome and pericentric inversion of chromosome 4

We report on a newborn infant with clinical and radiological manifestations of some type of short rib-polydactyly syndrome who died soon after birth. Chromosomal studies on peripheral blood lymphocytes and chondrocytes demonstrated an apparently balanced pericentric inversion of chromosome 4 (present in the mother also). This association may have occurred by chance but, if not, the chromosomal breakpoints could interrupt the gene responsible for short rib-polydactyly syndromes, or else be related to the mechanism of short rib-polydactyly syndromes.