👤 Gulnaz Shafqat

Foetal akinesia deformation sequence (FADS) represents a group of disorders resulting from absent or diminished in utero foetal mobility. The aetiology is multifactorial, including genetic, environmental, maternal, and foetal causes. The absence of foetal movements leading to multiple joint contractures, pulmonary hypoplasia, and intrauterine growth restriction are the key features of foetal akinesia deformation sequence. Herein we describe the case of a 30-year-old gravida 4 (para 2+1) who came for foetal ultrasound at 28 weeks of gestation due to decreased foetal movements. Ultrasound showed features of FADS with fixed flexed position of foetal limbs, pulmonary hypoplasia, polyhydramnios, and intrauterine growth restriction. The timely use of ultrasound enables early detection of these cases and aids in appropriate counselling and management. Show less

Consanguine families display a high degree of homozygosity which increases the risk of family members suffering from autosomal recessive disorders. Thus, homozygous mutations in monogenic obesity genes may be a more frequent cause of childhood obesity in a consanguineous population. We identified 23 probands from 23 Pakistani families displaying autosomal recessive obesity. We have previously excluded mutations in MC4R, LEP and LEPR in all probands. Using a chip-based, target-region capture array, 31 genes involved in monogenic forms of obesity, were screened in all probands. We identified 31 rare non-synonymous possibly pathogenic variants (28 missense and three nonsense) within the 31 selected genes. All variants were heterozygous, thus no homozygous pathogenic variants were found. Two of the rare heterozygous nonsense variants identified (p.R75X and p.R481X) were found in BBS9 within one proband, suggesting that obesity is caused by compound heterozygosity. Sequencing of the parents supported the compound heterozygous nature of obesity as each parent was carrying one of the variants. Subsequent clinical investigation strongly indicated that the proband had Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Mutation screening in 31 genes among probands with severe early-onset obesity from Pakistani families did not reveal the presence of homozygous obesity causing variants. However, a compound heterozygote carrier of BBS9 mutations was identified, indicating that compound heterozygosity must not be overlooked when investigating the genetic etiology of severe childhood obesity in populations with a high degree of consanguinity. Show less