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Neurodevelopmental disorder with hypotonia, language delay, and skeletal defects with or without seizures(NEDHLSS)

MedGen UID:
1823986
Concept ID:
C5774213
Disease or Syndrome
Synonym: NEDHLSS
 
Gene (location): CACNA1C (12p13.33)
 
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0859286
OMIM®: 620029

Definition

Neurodevelopmental disorder with hypotonia, language delay, and skeletal defects with or without seizures (NEDHLSS) is characterized by global developmental delay apparent from infancy. Affected individuals show severe hypotonia with delayed walking or inability to walk, poor or absent speech, and impaired intellectual development with behavioral abnormalities. Most patients have early-onset seizures, mild skeletal defects that are usually distal, and nonspecific dysmorphic features. More severely affected individuals have additional congenital abnormalities; however, cardiac involvement is rare (summary by Rodan et al., 2021). [from OMIM]

Clinical features

From HPO
Clubfoot
MedGen UID:
3130
Concept ID:
C0009081
Congenital Abnormality
Clubfoot is a congenital limb deformity defined as fixation of the foot in cavus, adductus, varus, and equinus (i.e., inclined inwards, axially rotated outwards, and pointing downwards) with concomitant soft tissue abnormalities (Cardy et al., 2007). Clubfoot may occur in isolation or as part of a syndrome (e.g., diastrophic dysplasia, 222600). Clubfoot has been reported with deficiency of long bones and mirror-image polydactyly (Gurnett et al., 2008; Klopocki et al., 2012).
Pes planus
MedGen UID:
42034
Concept ID:
C0016202
Anatomical Abnormality
A foot where the longitudinal arch of the foot is in contact with the ground or floor when the individual is standing; or, in a patient lying supine, a foot where the arch is in contact with the surface of a flat board pressed against the sole of the foot by the examiner with a pressure similar to that expected from weight bearing; or, the height of the arch is reduced.
2-3 toe cutaneous syndactyly
MedGen UID:
98470
Concept ID:
C0432040
Congenital Abnormality
Pes valgus
MedGen UID:
299028
Concept ID:
C1578482
Anatomical Abnormality
An outward deviation of the foot at the talocalcaneal or subtalar joint.
Cutaneous syndactyly
MedGen UID:
396250
Concept ID:
C1861921
Congenital Abnormality
A soft tissue continuity in the A/P axis between two digits that extends distally to at least the level of the proximal interphalangeal joints, or a soft tissue continuity in the A/P axis between two digits that lies significantly distal to the flexion crease that overlies the metacarpophalangeal or metatarsophalangeal joint of the adjacent digits.
3-4 finger cutaneous syndactyly
MedGen UID:
868712
Concept ID:
C4023115
Congenital Abnormality
A soft tissue continuity in the A/P axis between fingers 3 and 4.
Prolonged QT interval
MedGen UID:
57494
Concept ID:
C0151878
Finding
Increased time between the start of the Q wave and the end of the T wave as measured by the electrocardiogram (EKG).
Pulmonary arterial hypertension
MedGen UID:
425404
Concept ID:
C2973725
Disease or Syndrome
Pulmonary hypertension is defined mean pulmonary artery pressure of 25mmHg or more and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure of 15mmHg or less when measured by right heart catheterisation at rest and in a supine position.
Postnatal growth retardation
MedGen UID:
395343
Concept ID:
C1859778
Finding
Slow or limited growth after birth.
Constipation
MedGen UID:
1101
Concept ID:
C0009806
Sign or Symptom
Infrequent or difficult evacuation of feces.
Dysphagia
MedGen UID:
41440
Concept ID:
C0011168
Disease or Syndrome
Difficulty in swallowing.
Anal stenosis
MedGen UID:
82644
Concept ID:
C0262374
Anatomical Abnormality
Abnormal narrowing of the anal opening.
Gastroesophageal reflux
MedGen UID:
1368658
Concept ID:
C4317146
Finding
A condition in which the stomach contents leak backwards from the stomach into the esophagus through the lower esophageal sphincter.
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.
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.
Tonic seizure
MedGen UID:
82855
Concept ID:
C0270844
Disease or Syndrome
A tonic seizure is a type of motor seizure characterized by unilateral or bilateral limb stiffening or elevation, often with neck stiffening.
Delayed speech and language development
MedGen UID:
105318
Concept ID:
C0454644
Finding
A degree of language development that is significantly below the norm for a child of a specified age.
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
MedGen UID:
101045
Concept ID:
C0520679
Disease or Syndrome
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common, chronic, complex disease associated with serious cardiovascular and neuropsychologic sequelae and with substantial social and economic costs (Palmer et al., 2003).
Apnea, central sleep
MedGen UID:
99249
Concept ID:
C0520680
Disease or Syndrome
Sleep apnea results from a temporary loss of the central drive to the muscles responsible for breathing.
Global developmental delay
MedGen UID:
107838
Concept ID:
C0557874
Finding
A delay in the achievement of motor or mental milestones in the domains of development of a child, including motor skills, speech and language, cognitive skills, and social and emotional skills. This term should only be used to describe children younger than five years of age.
Focal-onset seizure
MedGen UID:
199670
Concept ID:
C0751495
Disease or Syndrome
A focal-onset seizure is a type of seizure originating within networks limited to one hemisphere. They may be discretely localized or more widely distributed, and may originate in subcortical structures.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
MedGen UID:
220387
Concept ID:
C1263846
Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral disorder that typically begins in childhood and is characterized by a short attention span (inattention), an inability to be calm and stay still (hyperactivity), and poor impulse control (impulsivity). Some people with ADHD have problems with only inattention or with hyperactivity and impulsivity, but most have problems related to all three features.\n\nIn people with ADHD, the characteristic behaviors are frequent and severe enough to interfere with the activities of daily living such as school, work, and relationships with others. Because of an inability to stay focused on tasks, people with inattention may be easily distracted, forgetful, avoid tasks that require sustained attention, have difficulty organizing tasks, or frequently lose items.\n\nHyperactivity is usually shown by frequent movement. Individuals with this feature often fidget or tap their foot when seated, leave their seat when it is inappropriate to do so (such as in the classroom), or talk a lot and interrupt others.\n\nImpulsivity can result in hasty actions without thought for the consequences. Individuals with poor impulse control may have difficulty waiting for their turn, deferring to others, or considering their actions before acting.\n\nIn most affected individuals, ADHD continues throughout life, but in about one-third of individuals, signs and symptoms of ADHD go away by adulthood.\n\nMore than two-thirds of all individuals with ADHD have additional conditions, including insomnia, mood or anxiety disorders, learning disorders, or substance use disorders. Affected individuals may also have autism spectrum disorder, which is characterized by impaired communication and social interaction, or Tourette syndrome, which is a disorder characterized by repetitive and involuntary movements or noises called tics.
Lower limb spasticity
MedGen UID:
220865
Concept ID:
C1271100
Finding
Spasticity (velocity-dependent increase in tonic stretch reflexes with increased muscle tone and hyperexcitable tendon reflexes) in the muscles of the lower limbs, hips, and pelvis.
Delayed gross motor development
MedGen UID:
332508
Concept ID:
C1837658
Finding
A type of motor delay characterized by a delay in acquiring the ability to control the large muscles of the body for walking, running, sitting, and crawling.
Postural instability
MedGen UID:
334529
Concept ID:
C1843921
Finding
A tendency to fall or the inability to keep oneself from falling; imbalance. The retropulsion test is widely regarded as the gold standard to evaluate postural instability, Use of the retropulsion test includes a rapid balance perturbation in the backward direction, and the number of balance correcting steps (or total absence thereof) is used to rate the degree of postural instability. Healthy subjects correct such perturbations with either one or two large steps, or without taking any steps, hinging rapidly at the hips while swinging the arms forward as a counterweight. In patients with balance impairment, balance correcting steps are often too small, forcing patients to take more than two steps. Taking three or more steps is generally considered to be abnormal, and taking more than five steps is regarded as being clearly abnormal. Markedly affected patients continue to step backward without ever regaining their balance and must be caught by the examiner (this would be called true retropulsion). Even more severely affected patients fail to correct entirely, and fall backward like a pushed toy soldier, without taking any corrective steps.
Motor delay
MedGen UID:
381392
Concept ID:
C1854301
Finding
A type of Developmental delay characterized by a delay in acquiring motor skills.
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.
Myoclonic seizure
MedGen UID:
1385980
Concept ID:
C4317123
Sign or Symptom
A myoclonic seizure is a type of motor seizure characterized by sudden, brief (<100 ms) involuntary single or multiple contraction of muscles or muscle groups of variable topography (axial, proximal limb, distal). Myoclonus is less regularly repetitive and less sustained than is clonus.
Intention tremor
MedGen UID:
1642960
Concept ID:
C4551520
Sign or Symptom
A type of kinetic tremor that occurs during target directed movement is called intention tremor. That is, an oscillatory cerebellar ataxia that tends to be absent when the limbs are inactive and during the first part of voluntary movement but worsening as the movement continues and greater precision is required (e.g., in touching a target such as the patient's nose or a physician's finger).
Micrognathia
MedGen UID:
44428
Concept ID:
C0025990
Congenital Abnormality
Developmental hypoplasia of the mandible.
Hypotonia
MedGen UID:
10133
Concept ID:
C0026827
Finding
Hypotonia is an abnormally low muscle tone (the amount of tension or resistance to movement in a muscle). Even when relaxed, muscles have a continuous and passive partial contraction which provides some resistance to passive stretching. Hypotonia thus manifests as diminished resistance to passive stretching. Hypotonia is not the same as muscle weakness, although the two conditions can co-exist.
Frontal bossing
MedGen UID:
67453
Concept ID:
C0221354
Congenital Abnormality
Bilateral bulging of the lateral frontal bone prominences with relative sparing of the midline.
Flexion contracture
MedGen UID:
83069
Concept ID:
C0333068
Anatomical Abnormality
A flexion contracture is a bent (flexed) joint that cannot be straightened actively or passively. It is thus a chronic loss of joint motion due to structural changes in muscle, tendons, ligaments, or skin that prevents normal movement of joints.
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.
Axial hypotonia
MedGen UID:
342959
Concept ID:
C1853743
Finding
Muscular hypotonia (abnormally low muscle tone) affecting the musculature of the trunk.
Shallow orbits
MedGen UID:
351328
Concept ID:
C1865244
Finding
Reduced depth of the orbits associated with prominent-appearing ocular globes.
Appendicular hypotonia
MedGen UID:
868520
Concept ID:
C4022919
Finding
Muscular hypotonia of one or more limbs.
Stridor
MedGen UID:
11613
Concept ID:
C0038450
Sign or Symptom
Stridor is a high pitched sound resulting from turbulent air flow in the upper airway.
Congenital laryngomalacia
MedGen UID:
120500
Concept ID:
C0264303
Anatomical Abnormality
Laryngomalacia is a congenital abnormality of the laryngeal cartilage in which the cartilage is floppy and prolapses over the larynx during inspiration.
Narrow mouth
MedGen UID:
44435
Concept ID:
C0026034
Congenital Abnormality
Distance between the commissures of the mouth more than 2 SD below the mean. Alternatively, an apparently decreased width of the oral aperture (subjective).
Round face
MedGen UID:
116087
Concept ID:
C0239479
Finding
The facial appearance is more circular than usual as viewed from the front.
Thin vermilion border
MedGen UID:
108294
Concept ID:
C0578038
Finding
Height of the vermilion of the medial part of the lip more than 2 SD below the mean, or apparently reduced height of the vermilion of the lip in the frontal view. The vermilion is the red part of the lips (and confusingly, the vermilion itself is also often referred to as being equivalent the lips).
Depressed nasal bridge
MedGen UID:
373112
Concept ID:
C1836542
Finding
Posterior positioning of the nasal root in relation to the overall facial profile for age.
Sparse scalp hair
MedGen UID:
346499
Concept ID:
C1857042
Finding
Decreased number of hairs per unit area of skin of the scalp.
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).
Downturned corners of mouth
MedGen UID:
356471
Concept ID:
C1866195
Anatomical Abnormality
A morphological abnormality of the mouth in which the angle of the mouth is downturned. The oral commissures are positioned inferior to the midline labial fissure.
Inversion of nipple
MedGen UID:
82844
Concept ID:
C0269269
Anatomical Abnormality
The presence of nipples that instead of pointing outward are retracted inwards.
Proptosis
MedGen UID:
41917
Concept ID:
C0015300
Disease or Syndrome
An eye that is protruding anterior to the plane of the face to a greater extent than is typical.
Optic nerve hypoplasia
MedGen UID:
137901
Concept ID:
C0338502
Disease or Syndrome
Underdevelopment of the optic nerve.

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Charalambous M, Muñana K, Patterson EE, Platt SR, Volk HA
J Vet Intern Med 2024 Jan-Feb;38(1):19-40. Epub 2023 Nov 3 doi: 10.1111/jvim.16928. PMID: 37921621Free PMC Article
Zuberi SM, Wirrell E, Yozawitz E, Wilmshurst JM, Specchio N, Riney K, Pressler R, Auvin S, Samia P, Hirsch E, Galicchio S, Triki C, Snead OC, Wiebe S, Cross JH, Tinuper P, Scheffer IE, Perucca E, Moshé SL, Nabbout R
Epilepsia 2022 Jun;63(6):1349-1397. Epub 2022 May 3 doi: 10.1111/epi.17239. PMID: 35503712
Abboud H, Probasco JC, Irani S, Ances B, Benavides DR, Bradshaw M, Christo PP, Dale RC, Fernandez-Fournier M, Flanagan EP, Gadoth A, George P, Grebenciucova E, Jammoul A, Lee ST, Li Y, Matiello M, Morse AM, Rae-Grant A, Rojas G, Rossman I, Schmitt S, Venkatesan A, Vernino S, Pittock SJ, Titulaer MJ; Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance Clinicians Network
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2021 Jul;92(7):757-768. Epub 2021 Mar 1 doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2020-325300. PMID: 33649022Free PMC Article

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Ziobro J, Shellhaas RA
Semin Neurol 2020 Apr;40(2):246-256. Epub 2020 Mar 6 doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1702943. PMID: 32143234
Shellhaas RA
Handb Clin Neurol 2019;162:347-361. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-64029-1.00017-5. PMID: 31324320
Guerreiro CA
Indian J Med Res 2016 Nov;144(5):657-660. doi: 10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_1051_16. PMID: 28361817Free PMC Article
Gavvala JR, Schuele SU
JAMA 2016 Dec 27;316(24):2657-2668. doi: 10.1001/jama.2016.18625. PMID: 28027373
Patterson JL, Carapetian SA, Hageman JR, Kelley KR
Pediatr Ann 2013 Dec;42(12):249-54. doi: 10.3928/00904481-20131122-09. PMID: 24295158

Diagnosis

Wirrell E
Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2022 Apr 1;28(2):230-260. doi: 10.1212/CON.0000000000001074. PMID: 35393959
Mauritz M, Hirsch LJ, Camfield P, Chin R, Nardone R, Lattanzi S, Trinka E
Epileptic Disord 2022 Feb 1;24(1):26-49. doi: 10.1684/epd.2021.1376. PMID: 34789447
Ziobro J, Shellhaas RA
Semin Neurol 2020 Apr;40(2):246-256. Epub 2020 Mar 6 doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1702943. PMID: 32143234
Shellhaas RA
Handb Clin Neurol 2019;162:347-361. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-64029-1.00017-5. PMID: 31324320
Johnson EL
Med Clin North Am 2019 Mar;103(2):309-324. Epub 2018 Dec 3 doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2018.10.002. PMID: 30704683

Therapy

Pizzo F, Collotta AD, Di Nora A, Costanza G, Ruggieri M, Falsaperla R
Expert Rev Neurother 2022 Feb;22(2):169-177. Epub 2022 Feb 25 doi: 10.1080/14737175.2022.2030220. PMID: 35144527
Rosenthal ES
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Clin Drug Investig 2021 Mar;41(3):211-220. Epub 2021 Feb 9 doi: 10.1007/s40261-021-01003-y. PMID: 33559102Free PMC Article
Kotulska K, Kwiatkowski DJ, Curatolo P, Weschke B, Riney K, Jansen F, Feucht M, Krsek P, Nabbout R, Jansen AC, Wojdan K, Sijko K, Głowacka-Walas J, Borkowska J, Sadowski K, Domańska-Pakieła D, Moavero R, Hertzberg C, Hulshof H, Scholl T, Benova B, Aronica E, de Ridder J, Lagae L, Jóźwiak S; EPISTOP Investigators
Ann Neurol 2021 Feb;89(2):304-314. Epub 2020 Nov 27 doi: 10.1002/ana.25956. PMID: 33180985Free PMC Article
Beniczky S, Jeppesen J
Curr Opin Neurol 2019 Apr;32(2):198-204. doi: 10.1097/WCO.0000000000000658. PMID: 30664069

Prognosis

Nandan A, Zhou YM, Demoe L, Waheed A, Jain P, Widjaja E
J Int Med Res 2023 Nov;51(11):3000605231213231. doi: 10.1177/03000605231213231. PMID: 38008901Free PMC Article
Tatum WO, Langston ME, Acton EK
Epileptic Disord 2016 Jun 1;18(2):148-54. doi: 10.1684/epd.2016.0823. PMID: 27238051
Patterson JL, Carapetian SA, Hageman JR, Kelley KR
Pediatr Ann 2013 Dec;42(12):249-54. doi: 10.3928/00904481-20131122-09. PMID: 24295158
Judge BS, Rentmeester LL
Psychiatr Clin North Am 2013 Jun;36(2):245-60. Epub 2013 Apr 11 doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2013.02.004. PMID: 23688690
Rennie JM
Eur J Pediatr 1997 Feb;156(2):83-7. doi: 10.1007/s004310050559. PMID: 9039506

Clinical prediction guides

Baud MO, Proix T, Rao VR, Schindler K
Curr Opin Neurol 2020 Apr;33(2):163-172. doi: 10.1097/WCO.0000000000000798. PMID: 32049738
Meisel C, Loddenkemper T
Neuropharmacology 2020 Aug 1;172:107898. Epub 2019 Dec 5 doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107898. PMID: 31839204
Xu MY
Stroke Vasc Neurol 2019 Mar;4(1):48-56. Epub 2018 Dec 9 doi: 10.1136/svn-2018-000175. PMID: 31105979Free PMC Article
Acharya UR, Hagiwara Y, Adeli H
Epilepsy Behav 2018 Nov;88:251-261. Epub 2018 Oct 11 doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.09.030. PMID: 30317059
Abend NS, Wusthoff CJ
J Clin Neurophysiol 2012 Oct;29(5):441-8. doi: 10.1097/WNP.0b013e31826bd90d. PMID: 23027101Free PMC Article

Recent systematic reviews

Pressler RM, Abend NS, Auvin S, Boylan G, Brigo F, Cilio MR, De Vries LS, Elia M, Espeche A, Hahn CD, Inder T, Jette N, Kakooza-Mwesige A, Mader S, Mizrahi EM, Moshé SL, Nagarajan L, Noyman I, Nunes ML, Samia P, Shany E, Shellhaas RA, Subota A, Triki CC, Tsuchida T, Vinayan KP, Wilmshurst JM, Yozawitz EG, Hartmann H
Epilepsia 2023 Oct;64(10):2550-2570. Epub 2023 Sep 1 doi: 10.1111/epi.17745. PMID: 37655702
Jafarpour S, Hirsch LJ, Gaínza-Lein M, Kellinghaus C, Detyniecki K
Seizure 2019 May;68:9-15. Epub 2018 May 21 doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2018.05.013. PMID: 29871784
Steinert T, Fröscher W
Pharmacopsychiatry 2018 Jul;51(4):121-135. Epub 2017 Aug 29 doi: 10.1055/s-0043-117962. PMID: 28850959
Mewasingh LD
BMJ Clin Evid 2014 Jan 31;2014 PMID: 24484859Free PMC Article
Beghi E, Carpio A, Forsgren L, Hesdorffer DC, Malmgren K, Sander JW, Tomson T, Hauser WA
Epilepsia 2010 Apr;51(4):671-5. Epub 2009 Sep 3 doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2009.02285.x. PMID: 19732133

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