U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination

Microcephaly 4, primary, autosomal recessive(MCPH4)

MedGen UID:
347655
Concept ID:
C1858516
Disease or Syndrome
Synonym: Microcephaly, Primary Autosomal Recessive, 4
 
Gene (location): KNL1 (15q15.1)
 
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0011437
OMIM®: 604321

Definition

Primary microcephaly (MCPH) is a clinical diagnosis made when an individual has a head circumference more than 3 standard deviations below the age- and sex-matched population mean and mental retardation, with no other associated malformations and with no apparent etiology. Most cases of primary microcephaly show an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance (summary by Woods et al., 2005). For a general phenotypic description and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of primary microcephaly, see MCPH1 (251200). [from OMIM]

Additional description

From MedlinePlus Genetics
Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (often shortened to MCPH, which stands for "microcephaly primary hereditary") is a condition in which infants are born with a very small head and a small brain. The term "microcephaly" comes from the Greek words for "small head."

Infants with MCPH have an unusually small head circumference compared to other infants of the same sex and age. Head circumference is the distance around the widest part of the head, measured by placing a measuring tape above the eyebrows and ears and around the back of the head. Affected infants' brain volume is also smaller than usual, although they usually do not have any major abnormalities in the structure of the brain. The head and brain grow throughout childhood and adolescence, but they continue to be much smaller than normal.

People with MCPH usually have few or no other features associated with the condition. Some have a narrow, sloping forehead; mild seizures; problems with attention or behavior; or short stature compared to others in their family. The condition typically does not affect any other major organ systems or cause other health problems.

MCPH causes intellectual disability, which is typically mild to moderate and does not become more severe with age. Most affected individuals have delayed speech and language skills. Motor skills, such as sitting, standing, and walking, may also be mildly delayed.  https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/autosomal-recessive-primary-microcephaly

Clinical features

From HPO
Short stature
MedGen UID:
87607
Concept ID:
C0349588
Finding
A height below that which is expected according to age and gender norms. Although there is no universally accepted definition of short stature, many refer to "short stature" as height more than 2 standard deviations below the mean for age and gender (or below the 3rd percentile for age and gender dependent norms).
Aggressive behavior
MedGen UID:
1375
Concept ID:
C0001807
Individual Behavior
Behavior or an act aimed at harming a person, animal, or physical property (e.g., acts of physical violence; shouting, swearing, and using harsh language; slashing someone's tires).
Impulsivity
MedGen UID:
43850
Concept ID:
C0021125
Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction
Acting on the spur of the moment in response to immediate stimuli; acting on a momentary basis without a plan or consideration of outcomes; having difficulty establishing or following plans; experiencing a sense of urgency and engaging in self-harming behavior when under emotional distress.
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.
Bimanual synkinesia
MedGen UID:
473166
Concept ID:
C0454455
Disease or Syndrome
Involuntary movements of one hand that accompany and mirror intentional movements of the opposite hand.
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.
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.
Cerebellar vermis hypoplasia
MedGen UID:
333548
Concept ID:
C1840379
Finding
Underdevelopment of the vermis of cerebellum.
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.
Micrognathia
MedGen UID:
44428
Concept ID:
C0025990
Congenital Abnormality
Developmental hypoplasia of the mandible.
Primary microcephaly
MedGen UID:
383046
Concept ID:
C2677180
Finding
Head circumference below 2 standard deviations below the mean for age and gender at birth.
Thick eyebrow
MedGen UID:
377914
Concept ID:
C1853487
Finding
Increased density/number and/or increased diameter of eyebrow hairs.
Low hanging columella
MedGen UID:
344656
Concept ID:
C1856119
Finding
Columella extending inferior to the level of the nasal base, when viewed from the side.
Sloping forehead
MedGen UID:
346640
Concept ID:
C1857679
Finding
Inclination of the anterior surface of the forehead from the vertical more than two standard deviations above the mean (objective); or apparently excessive posterior sloping of the forehead in a lateral view.
Synophrys
MedGen UID:
98132
Concept ID:
C0431447
Congenital Abnormality
Meeting of the medial eyebrows in the midline.
Hypertelorism
MedGen UID:
9373
Concept ID:
C0020534
Finding
Although hypertelorism means an excessive distance between any paired organs (e.g., the nipples), the use of the word has come to be confined to ocular hypertelorism. Hypertelorism occurs as an isolated feature and is also a feature of many syndromes, e.g., Opitz G syndrome (see 300000), Greig cephalopolysyndactyly (175700), and Noonan syndrome (163950) (summary by Cohen et al., 1995).

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Seeman P, Gebertová K, Paderová K, Sperling K, Seemanová E
Pediatr Neurol 2004 Mar;30(3):195-200. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2003.07.003. PMID: 15033202

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Spiegel R, Schwahn BC, Squires L, Confer N
J Inherit Metab Dis 2022 May;45(3):456-469. Epub 2022 Mar 3 doi: 10.1002/jimd.12488. PMID: 35192225Free PMC Article
Nasser H, Vera L, Elmaleh-Bergès M, Steindl K, Letard P, Teissier N, Ernault A, Guimiot F, Afenjar A, Moutard ML, Héron D, Alembik Y, Momtchilova M, Milani P, Kubis N, Pouvreau N, Zollino M, Guilmin Crepon S, Kaguelidou F, Gressens P, Verloes A, Rauch A, El Ghouzzi V, Drunat S, Passemard S
J Med Genet 2020 Jun;57(6):389-399. Epub 2020 Feb 3 doi: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2019-106474. PMID: 32015000
Nicholas AK, Swanson EA, Cox JJ, Karbani G, Malik S, Springell K, Hampshire D, Ahmed M, Bond J, Di Benedetto D, Fichera M, Romano C, Dobyns WB, Woods CG
J Med Genet 2009 Apr;46(4):249-53. Epub 2008 Nov 21 doi: 10.1136/jmg.2008.062380. PMID: 19028728Free PMC Article
Bracha HS
Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2006 Jul;30(5):827-53. Epub 2006 Mar 23 doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2006.01.008. PMID: 16563589Free PMC Article
Seeman P, Gebertová K, Paderová K, Sperling K, Seemanová E
Pediatr Neurol 2004 Mar;30(3):195-200. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2003.07.003. PMID: 15033202

Diagnosis

Gönenc II, Elcioglu NH, Martinez Grijalva C, Aras S, Großmann N, Praulich I, Altmüller J, Kaulfuß S, Li Y, Nürnberg P, Burfeind P, Yigit G, Wollnik B
Clin Genet 2022 May;101(5-6):559-564. Epub 2022 Mar 11 doi: 10.1111/cge.14125. PMID: 35218564
Spiegel R, Schwahn BC, Squires L, Confer N
J Inherit Metab Dis 2022 May;45(3):456-469. Epub 2022 Mar 3 doi: 10.1002/jimd.12488. PMID: 35192225Free PMC Article
Kalmin MM, Gower EW, Stringer EM, Bowman NM, Rogawski McQuade ET, Westreich D
Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2019 Jul;33(4):286-290. doi: 10.1111/ppe.12561. PMID: 31347726Free PMC Article
Mahmood S, Ahmad W, Hassan MJ
Orphanet J Rare Dis 2011 Jun 13;6:39. doi: 10.1186/1750-1172-6-39. PMID: 21668957Free PMC Article
Moynihan L, Jackson AP, Roberts E, Karbani G, Lewis I, Corry P, Turner G, Mueller RF, Lench NJ, Woods CG
Am J Hum Genet 2000 Feb;66(2):724-7. doi: 10.1086/302777. PMID: 10677332Free PMC Article

Therapy

Nasser H, Vera L, Elmaleh-Bergès M, Steindl K, Letard P, Teissier N, Ernault A, Guimiot F, Afenjar A, Moutard ML, Héron D, Alembik Y, Momtchilova M, Milani P, Kubis N, Pouvreau N, Zollino M, Guilmin Crepon S, Kaguelidou F, Gressens P, Verloes A, Rauch A, El Ghouzzi V, Drunat S, Passemard S
J Med Genet 2020 Jun;57(6):389-399. Epub 2020 Feb 3 doi: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2019-106474. PMID: 32015000
Kitagawa D, Kohlmaier G, Keller D, Strnad P, Balestra FR, Flückiger I, Gönczy P
J Cell Sci 2011 Nov 15;124(Pt 22):3884-93. Epub 2011 Nov 18 doi: 10.1242/jcs.089888. PMID: 22100914

Prognosis

Batool T, Irshad S, Riaz M, Mahmood Baig S, Nuernberg P, Hussain MS
J Hum Genet 2023 Jul;68(7):469-475. Epub 2023 Mar 3 doi: 10.1038/s10038-023-01132-6. PMID: 36864288
Spiegel R, Schwahn BC, Squires L, Confer N
J Inherit Metab Dis 2022 May;45(3):456-469. Epub 2022 Mar 3 doi: 10.1002/jimd.12488. PMID: 35192225Free PMC Article
Tavasoli AR, Memar EHE, Ashrafi MR, Hosseini SMM, Haghighi R, Ghabeli H, Pourbakhtyaran E, Rasoulinezhad M, Mohammadi P, Heidari M
J Mol Neurosci 2022 Apr;72(4):719-729. Epub 2022 Jan 4 doi: 10.1007/s12031-021-01955-y. PMID: 34982360
Waseem SS, Moawia A, Budde B, Tariq M, Khan A, Ali Z, Khan S, Iqbal M, Malik NA, Haque SU, Altmüller J, Thiele H, Hussain MS, Cirak S, Baig SM, Nürnberg P
Genes (Basel) 2021 Sep 24;12(10) doi: 10.3390/genes12101494. PMID: 34680889Free PMC Article
Kalmin MM, Gower EW, Stringer EM, Bowman NM, Rogawski McQuade ET, Westreich D
Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2019 Jul;33(4):286-290. doi: 10.1111/ppe.12561. PMID: 31347726Free PMC Article

Clinical prediction guides

Batool T, Irshad S, Riaz M, Mahmood Baig S, Nuernberg P, Hussain MS
J Hum Genet 2023 Jul;68(7):469-475. Epub 2023 Mar 3 doi: 10.1038/s10038-023-01132-6. PMID: 36864288
Gönenc II, Elcioglu NH, Martinez Grijalva C, Aras S, Großmann N, Praulich I, Altmüller J, Kaulfuß S, Li Y, Nürnberg P, Burfeind P, Yigit G, Wollnik B
Clin Genet 2022 May;101(5-6):559-564. Epub 2022 Mar 11 doi: 10.1111/cge.14125. PMID: 35218564
Kalmin MM, Gower EW, Stringer EM, Bowman NM, Rogawski McQuade ET, Westreich D
Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2019 Jul;33(4):286-290. doi: 10.1111/ppe.12561. PMID: 31347726Free PMC Article
Rosin N, Elcioglu NH, Beleggia F, Isgüven P, Altmüller J, Thiele H, Steindl K, Joset P, Rauch A, Nürnberg P, Wollnik B, Yigit G
Hum Mol Genet 2015 Jul 1;24(13):3708-17. Epub 2015 Apr 3 doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddv115. PMID: 25839420
Passemard S, Titomanlio L, Elmaleh M, Afenjar A, Alessandri JL, Andria G, de Villemeur TB, Boespflug-Tanguy O, Burglen L, Del Giudice E, Guimiot F, Hyon C, Isidor B, Mégarbané A, Moog U, Odent S, Hernandez K, Pouvreau N, Scala I, Schaer M, Gressens P, Gerard B, Verloes A
Neurology 2009 Sep 22;73(12):962-9. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181b8799a. PMID: 19770472

Supplemental Content

Table of contents

    Clinical resources

    Practice guidelines

    • PubMed
      See practice and clinical guidelines in PubMed. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.

    Recent activity

    Your browsing activity is empty.

    Activity recording is turned off.

    Turn recording back on

    See more...