3c Syndrome

Cranio-cerebello-cardiac (3C) syndrome is a rare multiple congenital anomalies syndrome characterized by craniofacial (prominent occiput and forehead, hypertelorism, ocular coloboma, cleft palate), cerebellar (Dandy-Walker malformation, cerebellar vermis hypoplasia) and cardiac (tetralogy of Fallot, atrial and ventricular septal defects) anomalies (see these terms).

Epidemiology

To date < 50 cases have been described. The syndrome appears to be panethnic.

Clinical description

3C syndrome is a congenital disorder characterized by distinctive craniofacial features including, in decreasing frequency, low-set ears, hypertelorism, down-slanting palpebral fissures, depressed nasal bridge, prominent occiput, prominent forehead, cleft palate, micrognathia, ocular coloboma. Additional craniofacial features encompass nevus flammeus (on forehead), low posterior hairline, sparse scalp hair, eyebrows and eyelashes, open mouth with protruding tongue, and short neck. In 80% of cases, cerebellar anomalies are present and include primarily Dandy-Walker malformation or Dandy-Walker variant, cerebellar vermis hypoplasia and enlargement of cisterna magma. Affected individuals have gross motor and speech delay and intellectual disability. The cardiovascular anomalies include atrial and ventricular septal defects, patent arterial duct, tetralogy of Fallot, double outlet right ventricle, hypoplastic left heart syndrome (see these terms), aortic or pulmonary stenosis, and other valvular anomalies. Postnatal short stature is noted in most patients, and growth hormone deficiency has been reported in two patients. Additional anomalies, noted in >10% of patients, include feeding difficulties, single umbilical artery, small hands with single transverse crease, camptodactyly, equinovarus deformity, hydronephrosis, shallow scrotum, undescended testis, cryptorchidism, micropenis, hypospadias, nail hypoplasia, hearing loss, malrotation of the gut. Skeletal defects may be present with rib and vertebral anomalies (hemivertebrae). Rarely observed features include ocular (congenital glaucoma, optic nerve atrophy with eyelid ptosis, heteochromatic iris, posterior embryotoxon), renal (multicystic dysplastic kidney, horseshoe kidneys, unilateral renal agenesis) and anal (anal atresia, anteriorly placed anus malformations) anomalies. Single occurrences of renal hypoplasia, nipple hypoplasia, penile hypoplasia, unilateral adrenal aplasia, immunodeficiency have also been reported.

Etiology

The exact etiology is still unknown but mutations in KIAA0196 (8q24.13; coding for strumpellin) have been identified in a First Nations cohort and these mutations may be involved in the pathophysiology of 3C syndrome.

Diagnostic methods

The diagnostic criteria for 3C syndrome include congenital heart malformation(s) other than isolated patent arterial duct; Dandy-Walker malformation, cerebellar vermis hypoplasia, or enlarged cisterna; and cleft palate, ocular coloboma or four of the following: prominent occiput, prominent forehead, hypertelorism, micrognathia, downslanting palpebral fissures, depressed nasal bridge, low-set ears.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis includes Joubert syndrome, Ellis Van Creveld syndrome, Cornelia de Lange syndrome, distal monosomy 6p (see these terms) and Dandy Walker malformation.

Antenatal diagnosis

Prenatal diagnosis may be suspected after an ultrasound examination revealing characteristic major structural anomalies of 3C syndrome. Prenatal testing is available for families in which the disease-causing mutations have been previously identified.

Genetic counseling

Sporadic and familial cases have been reported. Transmission is autosomal recessive. Phenotypic variability exists between siblings.

Management and treatment

Management is mainly symptomatic and multidisciplinary approaches including educational programs, physical, occupational, and speech therapy may help to improve hypotonia and reduce motor developmental delay. Cardiac malformation requires specific care, often surgery.

Prognosis

Prognosis is determined by the cardiovascular malformation. Motor delay is common and associated with hypotonia secondary to cerebellar anomalies.