Clinical and genetic aspects of KBG syndrome

Karen Low*, Tazeen Ashraf, Natalie Canham, Jill Clayton-Smith, Charu Deshpande, Alan Donaldson, Richard Fisher, Frances Flinter, Nicola Foulds, Alan Fryer, Kate Gibson, Ian Hayes, Alison Hills, Susan Holder, Melita Irving, Shelagh Joss, Emma Kivuva, Kathryn Lachlan, Alex Magee, Vivienne McConnellMeriel McEntagart, Kay Metcalfe, Tara Montgomery, Ruth Newbury-Ecob, Fiona Stewart, Peter Turnpenny, Julie Vogt, David FitzPatrick, Maggie Williams, Sarah Smithson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

KBG syndrome is characterized by short stature, distinctive facial features, and developmental/cognitive delay and is caused by mutations in ANKRD11, one of the ankyrin repeat-containing cofactors. We describe 32 KBG patients aged 2–47 years from 27 families ascertained via two pathways: targeted ANKRD11 sequencing (TS) in a group who had a clinical diagnosis of KBG and whole exome sequencing (ES) in a second group in whom the diagnosis was unknown. Speech delay and learning difficulties were almost universal and variable behavioral problems frequent. Macrodontia of permanent upper central incisors was seen in 85%. Other clinical features included short stature, conductive hearing loss, recurrent middle ear infection, palatal abnormalities, and feeding difficulties. We recognized a new feature of a wide anterior fontanelle with delayed closure in 22%. The subtle facial features of KBG syndrome were recognizable in half the patients. We identified 20 ANKRD11 mutations (18 novel: all truncating) confirmed by Sanger sequencing in 32 patients. Comparison of the two ascertainment groups demonstrated that facial/other typical features were more subtle in the ES group. There were no conclusive phenotype–genotype correlations. Our findings suggest that mutation of ANKRD11 is a common Mendelian cause of developmental delay. Affected patients may not show the characteristic KBG phenotype and the diagnosis is therefore easily missed. We propose updated diagnostic criteria/clinical recommendations for KBG syndrome and suggest that inclusion of ANKRD11 will increase the utility of gene panels designed to investigate developmental delay.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2835-2846
Number of pages12
JournalThe American Journal of Medical Genetics - Part A (AJMG)
Volume170
Issue number11
Early online date26 Sept 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2016

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • ANKRD11
  • KBG syndrome
  • macrodontia

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