Shah-Waardenburg syndrome and PCWH associated with SOX10 mutations: a case report and review of the literature

Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2006 Jan;10(1):11-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2005.10.004. Epub 2006 Feb 28.

Abstract

Shah-Waardenburg syndrome is a rare congenital disorder with variable clinical expression, characterised by aganglionosis of the rectosigmoïd (Hirschsprung disease), and abnormal melanocyte migration, resulting in pigmentary abnormalities and sensorineural deafness (Waardenburg syndrome). Mutations in the EDN, EDNRB and SOX10 genes can be found in patients with this syndrome. SOX10 mutations are specifically associated with a more severe phenotype called PCWH: peripheral demyelinating neuropathy, central dysmyelinating leukodystrophy, Waardenburg syndrome, and Hirschsprung disease. Neuronal expression of SOX10 occurs in neural crest cells during early embryonic development and in glial cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems during late embryonic development and in adults. We present a 4-year-old girl with the PCWH phenotype associated with a de novo nonsense mutation (S384X) in SOX10. Main clinical features were mental retardation, peripheral neuropathy, deafness, Hirschsprung disease, distal arthrogryposis, white hairlock, and growth retardation. She presented with hypotonia, developmental delay, reduced peripheral nerve conduction velocities, and radiologically assessed central hypomyelination. Subsequently, the formation of abnormal myelin within the central and peripheral nervous system was functionally and radiologically assessed. Children presenting with features of Waardenburg syndrome and neurological dysfunction should be tested for mutations in the SOX10 gene to enable diagnosis and counselling.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain / pathology
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Demyelinating Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Demyelinating Diseases / genetics*
  • Demyelinating Diseases / pathology
  • Female
  • Growth / physiology
  • High Mobility Group Proteins / genetics*
  • Hirschsprung Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Hirschsprung Disease / genetics*
  • Hirschsprung Disease / pathology
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Muscle Hypotonia / genetics
  • Muscle Hypotonia / pathology
  • Mutation
  • Neural Conduction / physiology
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Radiography
  • SOXE Transcription Factors
  • Syndrome
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Waardenburg Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
  • Waardenburg Syndrome / genetics*
  • Waardenburg Syndrome / pathology

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • High Mobility Group Proteins
  • SOX10 protein, human
  • SOXE Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors