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Klippel-Feil syndrome 2, autosomal recessive(KFS2)

MedGen UID:
395201
Concept ID:
C1859209
Disease or Syndrome
Synonyms: CERVICAL VERTEBRAL FUSION, AUTOSOMAL RECESSIVE; KFS, AUTOSOMAL RECESSIVE; KFS2; Klippel Feil syndrome autosomal recessive; KLIPPEL-FEIL SYNDROME 2
 
Gene (location): MEOX1 (17q21.31)
 
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0008958
OMIM®: 214300

Definition

Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) is a congenital anomaly characterized by a defect in the formation or segmentation of the cervical vertebrae, resulting in a fused appearance. The clinical triad consists of short neck, low posterior hairline, and limited neck movement, although less than 50% of patients demonstrate all 3 clinical features (Tracy et al., 2004). Clarke et al. (1998) proposed a classification system for KFS in which an autosomal recessive form is characterized by the most rostral fusion at C1 and the presence of severe associated anomalies, including short neck, cardiac defects, and craniofacial anomalies. For a general description and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of Klippel-Feil syndrome, see KFS1 (118100). [from OMIM]

Additional description

From MedlinePlus Genetics
People with Klippel-Feil syndrome may have a wide variety of other features in addition to their spine abnormalities. Some people with this condition have hearing difficulties, eye abnormalities, an opening in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate), genitourinary problems such as abnormal kidneys or reproductive organs, heart abnormalities, or lung defects that can cause breathing problems. Affected individuals may have other skeletal defects including arms or legs of unequal length (limb length discrepancy), which can result in misalignment of the hips or knees. Additionally, the shoulder blades may be underdeveloped so that they sit abnormally high on the back, a condition called Sprengel deformity. Rarely, structural brain abnormalities or a type of birth defect that occurs during the development of the brain and spinal cord (neural tube defect) can occur in people with Klippel-Feil syndrome.

In people with Klippel-Feil syndrome, the fused vertebrae can limit the range of movement of the neck and back as well as lead to chronic headaches and muscle pain in the neck and back that range in severity. People with minimal bone involvement often have fewer problems compared to individuals with several vertebrae affected. The shortened neck can cause a slight difference in the size and shape of the right and left sides of the face (facial asymmetry). Trauma to the spine, such as a fall or car accident, can aggravate problems in the fused area. Fusion of the vertebrae can lead to nerve damage in the head, neck, or back. Over time, individuals with Klippel-Feil syndrome can develop a narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis) in the neck, which can compress and damage the spinal cord. Rarely, spinal nerve abnormalities may cause abnormal sensations or involuntary movements in people with Klippel-Feil syndrome. Affected individuals may develop a painful joint disorder called osteoarthritis around the areas of fused bone or experience painful involuntary tensing of the neck muscles (cervical dystonia). In addition to the fused cervical bones, people with this condition may have abnormalities in other vertebrae. Many people with Klippel-Feil syndrome have abnormal side-to-side curvature of the spine (scoliosis) due to malformation of the vertebrae; fusion of additional vertebrae below the neck may also occur.

In some cases, Klippel-Feil syndrome occurs as a feature of another disorder or syndrome, such as Wildervanck syndrome or hemifacial microsomia. In these instances, affected individuals have the signs and symptoms of both Klippel-Feil syndrome and the additional disorder.

Klippel-Feil syndrome is a bone disorder characterized by the abnormal joining (fusion) of two or more spinal bones in the neck (cervical vertebrae). The vertebral fusion is present from birth. Three major features result from this vertebral fusion: a short neck, the resulting appearance of a low hairline at the back of the head, and a limited range of motion in the neck. Most affected people have one or two of these characteristic features. Less than half of all individuals with Klippel-Feil syndrome have all three classic features of this condition.  https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/klippel-feil-syndrome

Clinical features

From HPO
Ventricular septal defect
MedGen UID:
42366
Concept ID:
C0018818
Congenital Abnormality
A hole between the two bottom chambers (ventricles) of the heart. The defect is centered around the most superior aspect of the ventricular septum.
Conductive hearing impairment
MedGen UID:
9163
Concept ID:
C0018777
Disease or Syndrome
An abnormality of vibrational conductance of sound to the inner ear leading to impairment of sensory perception of sound.
Sensorineural hearing loss disorder
MedGen UID:
9164
Concept ID:
C0018784
Disease or Syndrome
A type of hearing impairment in one or both ears related to an abnormal functionality of the cochlear nerve.
Abnormal pinna morphology
MedGen UID:
167800
Concept ID:
C0857379
Congenital Abnormality
An abnormality of the pinna, which is also referred to as the auricle or external ear.
Klippel-Feil syndrome
MedGen UID:
9645
Concept ID:
C0022738
Disease or Syndrome
Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) is a congenital anomaly characterized by a defect in the formation or segmentation of the cervical vertebrae, resulting in a fused appearance. The clinical triad consists of short neck, low posterior hairline, and limited neck movement, although less than 50% of patients demonstrate all 3 clinical features (Tracy et al., 2004). Genetic Heterogeneity of Klippel-Feil Syndrome Additional forms of KFS include autosomal recessive KFS2 (214300), caused by mutation in the MEOX1 gene (600147) on chromosome 17q21, autosomal dominant KFS3 (613702), caused by mutation in the GDF3 gene (606522) on chromosome 12p13, and autosomal recessive KFS4 (616549), caused by mutation in the MYO18B gene (607295) on chromosome 22q12. See also MURCS association (601076), in which Klippel-Feil anomaly is associated with urogenital anomalies.
Scoliosis
MedGen UID:
11348
Concept ID:
C0036439
Disease or Syndrome
The presence of an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.
Congenital elevation of scapula
MedGen UID:
56291
Concept ID:
C0152438
Congenital Abnormality
A congenital skeletal deformity characterized by the elevation of one scapula (thus, one scapula is located superior to the other).
Fused cervical vertebrae
MedGen UID:
854386
Concept ID:
C3887527
Congenital Abnormality
A congenital anomaly characterized by a joining (fusion) of two or more cervical vertebral bodies with one another.
Cleft upper lip
MedGen UID:
40327
Concept ID:
C0008924
Congenital Abnormality
A gap or groove in the upper lip. This is a congenital defect resulting from nonfusion of tissues of the lip during embryonal development.
Short neck
MedGen UID:
99267
Concept ID:
C0521525
Finding
Diminished length of the neck.
Low posterior hairline
MedGen UID:
383755
Concept ID:
C1855728
Finding
Hair on the neck extends more inferiorly than usual.
Limited neck range of motion
MedGen UID:
395202
Concept ID:
C1859212
Finding
Cleft palate
MedGen UID:
756015
Concept ID:
C2981150
Congenital Abnormality
Cleft palate is a developmental defect of the palate resulting from a failure of fusion of the palatine processes and manifesting as a separation of the roof of the mouth (soft and hard palate).

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Chemke J, Nisani R, Fischel RE
Clin Genet 1980 Feb;17(2):167-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.1980.tb00127.x. PMID: 7363502

Diagnosis

Altuame FD, Haldeman-Englert C, Cupler E, Al Muhaizea MA, Al-Zaidan HI, Hashem M, Alkuraya FS
Am J Med Genet A 2021 Feb;185(2):370-376. Epub 2020 Nov 11 doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61957. PMID: 33179433
Di Maio L, Marcelli V, Vitale C, Menzione M, De Giorgio A, Briganti F, Perretti A, Marciano E, Filla A, De Michele G
Can J Neurol Sci 2006 May;33(2):237-9. doi: 10.1017/s0317167100005059. PMID: 16736738

Prognosis

Altuame FD, Haldeman-Englert C, Cupler E, Al Muhaizea MA, Al-Zaidan HI, Hashem M, Alkuraya FS
Am J Med Genet A 2021 Feb;185(2):370-376. Epub 2020 Nov 11 doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61957. PMID: 33179433

Clinical prediction guides

Minatogawa M, Tsukahara Y, Yuzuriha S, Kosho T
Am J Med Genet A 2021 Dec;185(12):3909-3915. Epub 2021 Jul 19 doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62423. PMID: 34278706
Altuame FD, Haldeman-Englert C, Cupler E, Al Muhaizea MA, Al-Zaidan HI, Hashem M, Alkuraya FS
Am J Med Genet A 2021 Feb;185(2):370-376. Epub 2020 Nov 11 doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61957. PMID: 33179433
Bayrakli F, Guclu B, Yakicier C, Balaban H, Kartal U, Erguner B, Sagiroglu MS, Yuksel S, Ozturk AR, Kazanci B, Ozum U, Kars HZ
BMC Genet 2013 Sep 28;14:95. doi: 10.1186/1471-2156-14-95. PMID: 24073994Free PMC Article

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