Prenatal findings in a fetus with X-linked recessive type of chondrodysplasia punctata (CDPX1): a case report with novel mutation

X-linked recessive chondrodysplasia punctate (CDPX1; MIM#302950) is a rare congenital disorder of bone and cartilage development, caused by a mutation in the arylsulfatase E (ARSE, MIM*300180) gene located on chromosome Xp22.3 [1]. It was first described by Curry et al. [2], and the incidence of CDPX1 is 1:100000 live births [3]. Maternal immune system disease, exposure to alcohol, or drugs was aetiological factor of chondrodysplasia punctate (CDP) [4‐6]. CDPX1 is characterized by punctate calcification in areas of endochondral bone formation, leading to stippled epiphyses, severe nasal and midfacial hypoplasia; ectopic calcifcations often affecting the airways and in particular the tracheal cartilage; and distal phalangeal hypoplasia [7]. However, the condition of patient is only noticed after birth because of facial features or breathing problems. There have been few reports on prenatal diagnosis of CDPX1 by ultrasound examination [8, 9]. Here we report a fetus with CDPX1, who was affected by a novel ARSE gene mutation.

A 25-year-old woman, gravida 1 para 0, was referred to our hospital at 23 weeks of gestation because of ultrasound abnormality of the fetus that abnormal curvature of spine. Pregnant denied history of immune system disease, exposure to alcohol or drugs such as warfarin and phenytoin.

Ultrasound examination with 5-7 M Hz probe of the fetal system was then performed. Prenatal ultrasound phenotype are as followed: Fetal external genitals is male, face is flat, nose bridge is depressed, nasal tip is collapse (Fig. 1a-c), and the upper alveolar is square (Fig. 1d). The spine loses normal physiological curvature, some vertebral bodies are small, and the spinal canal is narrow. The T9-L1vertebra is most obvious (Fig. 1e, f and j). The inner diameter of the narrowest part is only 2 mm. The diameter of the thoracic spinal canal above the stenosis segment was about 4.1 mm, and that of the lumbar segment below the stenosis segment was about 4.0 mm. Secondary ossification centers appear in the epiphyses of both femurs (Fig. 1g, h, i). Based on these ultrasound phenotypes, we recommend that the patient undergo fetal magnetic resonance and amniotic fluid testing to further clarify the diagnosis.

The GE 1.5 T MRI showed the disappeared normal curvature of the fetal spine, partial depression of lower thoracic segment, thinner of muscular layer, and abnormal and narrow down of the spinal canal in the range of about 1.9 cm. Axial view shows abnormal shape of spinal canal and thinning of adjacent spinal cord (Fig. 2).

CDP is a skeletal disorder characterized by premature ossification of cartilage, which contain different subtypes, including rhizomelic CDP (type1, 2 and 3), CDPX1, X-linked dominant chondrodysplasia punctate (CDPX2) [10]. CDP is commonly seen in the epiphyses of long bones, the spine, and other uncalcified cartilage, as well as in the trachea and the ends of the ribs.

In previous report, CDPX1 is characterized by brachytelephalangy, punctate calcifications affecting the vertebrae, carpal and metacarpal bones, maxillonasal hypoplasia, and mild developmental delay [11]. Punctate calcification is not a specific feature of the disease and has been found in many diseases, such as Zellweger syndrome, Warfarin embryopathy, Vitamin K reductase deficiency, Trisomy 21, Trisomy 18, and Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome etc. [1]. Calcifications can be detected by prenatal ultrasound and x-rays. With the increase of gestational weeks, cartilage begins to ossify and the lesion is often covered by normal calcification, which brings trouble to prenatal diagnosis. Another major abnormality is vertebral involvement, including poor ossification, abnormal shape (wedge, cone, flat), and accompanied by changes in the physiological curvature of the spine, which can reflect the degree of vertebral involvement by observing the physiological curvature. The most common facial findings include midface dysplasia, nasal dysplasia and flat cheekbones, similar to prenatal exposure to warfarin in fetuses. Most fetuses are associated with intrauterine growth restriction. There have been few reports on prenatal diagnosis of CDPX1 by ultrasound examination. Symptoms of CDPX1 fetus diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound include nasal hypoplasia, hydramnios, oligohydramnios, long bone dysplasias and vertebrae abnormalities [8, 9, 12]. Although nasal hypoplasia and long bone dysplasias are often considered characteristic changes of Trisomy 21, chromosomal abnormalities can be excluded by amniotic fluid karyotype analysis. Compared with other types, CDPX1 has mild clinical manifestations and good prognosis. Several cases of CDPX1 with disc dislocation or spinal stenosis have been reported with poor prognosis [13, 14].

In our patient, the clinical diagnosis of CDPX1 was based on the ultrasound examination findings with typical facial hypoplasia, vertebrae abnormalities, and premature ossification of the metaphysis of the diaphysis no maternal history of use of warfarin or phenytoin, an inheritance inheritance pattern consistent with X-linked recessive inheritance, and male sex. CDPX1 is caused by a mutation in the gene, which encodes the Golgi enzyme ARSE, antibodies to its enzymes can cross the placenta to the fetus. Genetic analysis revealed that a novel missense mutation of ARSE gene c.640G > A on X chromosome was found in fetus in this report. Further family study revealed that the fetus inherited the mutation from the mother of the novel mutation.

In conclusion, we report a case of a fetus with CDPX1 in whom a novel missense mutation was identified. Our patient was diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound, MRI and genetic analysis. This case is a novel mutation and presents a typical characterization of the disease, which can expand the spectrum of mutations of the ARSE gene and is helpful for prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of this disease.