About hall-pallister syndrome

What is hall-pallister syndrome?

Pallister-Hall syndrome (PHS) is an extremely rare genetic disorder that is typically apparent at birth. The symptoms and findings associated with the disorder may vary greatly in range and severity from patient to patient. However, in many individuals with PHS-associated abnormalities may include the presence of extra fingers and/or toes; an abnormal division of the epiglottis (bifid epiglottis); a malformation of the hypothalamus (hypothalamic hamartoma), a portion of the brain that coordinates the function of the pituitary gland and has several other functions; decreased pituitary function; and/or a condition in which a thin covering blocks the anal opening or the passage that normally connects the anus and the lowest part of the large intestine (rectum) fails to develop (imperforate anus). Additional symptoms and findings may include characteristic malformations of the head and facial area and/or other abnormalities. PHS is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern and is caused by mutations (gene changes) in the GLI3 gene.

What are the symptoms for hall-pallister syndrome?

Extra toes symptom was found in the hall-pallister syndrome condition

Symptoms and findings in individuals with PHS may vary greatly in range and severity from patient to patient. Whereas some affected individuals may have only a few characteristic abnormalities, others may have a majority of symptoms and physical features associated with the disorder.

The most common characteristic features of PHS include the presence of Extra fingers and/or toes (polydactyly); fusion (osseous syndactyly) of certain fingers and/or toes (digits); and Improper development (dysplasia) of the nails. In some affected persons, the polydactyly associated with PHS may be characterized by the presence of an extra digit between the third and fourth digits (mesoaxial polydactyly) of the hands and/or feet. Affected individuals may have an extra (supernumerary) digit on the “pinky” (ulnar) side of the hand or the outer (fibular) aspect of the foot (postaxial polydactyly). Many individuals with PHS may also have a condition in which a thin covering blocks the anal opening or the passage that normally connects the anus and the lowest part of the large intestine (rectum) fails to develop (imperforate anus).

According to reports in the medical literature, one of the most significant features of PHS is the presence of a malformation of the hypothalamus (hypothalamic hamartoma), a portion of the brain that coordinates the function of the pituitary gland and that regulates many additional bodily functions. The pituitary gland is the hormone-producing gland at the base of the brain. This is a malformation (and is not a tumor) of the hypothalamus and may cause abnormalities in pituitary function in those who are severely affected. Impaired pituitary function can cause an abnormally small penis (micropenis), low functioning of the thyroid (hypothyroidism), growth hormone deficiency, precious puberty, or more rarely, can cause Diabetes or lack of cortisol production. Seizures are also commonly associated with a hypothalamic hamartoma.

In some infants affected by severe hypothalamic hamartoma, decreased or absent pituitary function (hypopituitarism) may be present at birth. This may lead to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), abnormal electrolyte levels, and unusually high acid levels in blood and body tissue (metabolic acidosis). Affected individuals may also experience lethargy and an abnormal yellowish discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and whites of the eyes (jaundice). Hypopituitarism may result in severe, life-threatening complications without prompt, appropriate treatment. (For more information on hypopituitarism, see the Related Disorders section of this report.)

Infants with PHS may also have distinctive features of the head and facial (craniofacial) area including unusually small ears that are rotated toward the back of the head; a short nose with upturned nostrils (anteverted nares) and a broad or flat nasal bridge; and/or an unusually long vertical groove in the middle of the upper lip (philtrum). Affected individuals may also have an unusually small tongue (microglossia); an abnormal cleft or fissure in the larynx, the organ in the throat that is involved in voice production and that prevents food from entering the airway during swallowing; and abnormal division of the epiglottis (bifid epiglottis), the flap of cartilage in front of the entrance to the larynx.

Some individuals with PHS may have additional abnormalities. These may include the presence of certain teeth at birth (natal teeth), abnormal folds of movement-limiting mucous membrane tissue in the cheek area of the mouth (buccal frenula), abnormally short arms and/or legs (limbs), and/or dislocated hips. In some affected individuals, additional abnormalities may include abnormal development of the lobes of the lungs, absence (agenesis) and/or Improper development (dysplasia) of the kidneys; and/or heart defects that are present at birth (congenital heart defects).

Although most individuals with PHS do not have life-threatening malformations, some affected individuals have an early lethality variant of the disorder. This early lethality is most likely attributable to adrenocortical hormone deficiency caused by the hypothalamic hamartoma or severe airway malformations such as laryngotracheal clefts.

What are the causes for hall-pallister syndrome?

PHS is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern with wide variability in expression and is caused by mutations in the GLI3 gene. In affected families, most individuals with the familial GLI3 gene mutation will have symptoms and findings associated with the disorder (high penetrance). However, in such instances, the characteristics that are manifested may vary in range and severity from patient to patient. The variability within a particular family appears to be less than the variability in affected members of different families. GLI3 is the only gene known to be associated with PHS, and 95% of affected individuals have an identifiable gene mutation.

The GLI3 gene has been located on the short arm (p) of chromosome 7 (7p13). Chromosomes are found in the nucleus of all body cells. They carry the genetic characteristics of each individual. Pairs of human chromosomes are numbered from 1 through 22, with an unequal 23rd pair of X and Y chromosomes for males, and two X chromosomes for females. Each chromosome has a short arm designated as “p” and a long arm identified by the letter “q”. Chromosomes are further subdivided into many bands that are numbered. For example, “chromosome 7p13” refers to band 1 sub-band 3 on the short arm of chromosome 7.

Genetic traits are determined by two genes, one received from the father and one from the mother. Disorders with autosomal dominant inheritance occur when only a single copy of an abnormal gene is sufficient for the appearance of the disease. In the case of PHS, the disease is caused by the presence of one (of the two) copy of GLI3. The abnormal gene can be inherited from either parent, or can be the result of a new mutation in the affected individual. The risk of passing the abnormal gene from the affected parent to offspring is 50% with each pregnancy regardless of the sex of the resulting child.

In a number of patients with PHS, the GLI3 mutation is not inherited from either parent and is instead a new mutation. In general, these patients are more likely to be severely affected than is a child born to an affected parent.

What are the treatments for hall-pallister syndrome?

Infants with PHS who have decreased or absent pituitary function (hypopituitarism) must be treated immediately with hormonal replacement therapy (i.e., thyroxine, and hydrocortisone). Treatment of hypopituitarism usually resolves the associated symptoms (hypoglycemia, abnormal electrolyte levels, and/or metabolic acidosis). Close monitoring and prompt treatment is imperative to prevent life-threatening complications.

Periodic examinations with specialized equipment to monitor the hypothalamic malformation associated with this disorder are essential. An MRI test is often required since computerized tomography (CT scan) may not always detect hypothalamic hamartomas. Surgical removal of a hamartoma is generally not indicated since it is a malformation and is not a tumor. Surgical removal of extra digits is often performed during infancy, but is increasingly being done later in life due to concerns about potential cognitive effects of general anesthesia in young children.

Seizures may be treated with an anticonvulsant medication such as carbamazepine.

Genetic counseling is recommended for affected individuals and their family members.

What are the risk factors for hall-pallister syndrome?

PHS is an extremely rare disorder that is typically apparent at birth (congenital), appears to affect males and females equally. Approximately 100 patients have been reported in the medical literature, including affected individuals from several large families (kindreds) and single occurrences in which a positive family history has not been found. The range and severity of associated symptoms and findings may vary greatly from one affected individual to the next (variable expressivity). Because PHS is extremely variable and therefore may be under- or misdiagnosed, it may be difficult to determine the true frequency of the disorder in the general population.

Is there a cure/medications for hall-pallister syndrome?

Mutation in gene GL13 causes the disorders in the body from infancy collectively called Hall-Pallister Syndrome.

It affects people with uneven development of many body parts of the body like extra fingers, toes, or skin between fingers.

Diagnosis:
The patient with HPS are infants, and the defects in their palms and toes are the prominent signs of diagnosing the disease. But to rule out the confusion of HPS with other hormonal syndromes, the following evaluations are suggested:

  • Family history and background on gene defects
    •Magnetic Resonance Imaging
    •Renal Ultrasonography
    •Fibreoptic laryngoscopy
    •Molecular genetic testing
  • Limb X-rays
    •Epiglottis check
    •Kidney Ultrasound
    •Cranial MRI
  • Hormonal Replacement Therapies
    •Treatment of Hypopituitarism
    •Periodic Examinations to monitor Malformation
    •Surgical removal of extra fingers or limbs
    •Surgical removal of Malformation
    •Seizure treatment and medications
    •Genetic Counselling
Innovative methods are there to develop usage of mind and clarity of living with the syndrome more effectively. Counseling and researching the same can help with those and learning techniques to help children with Hall-Pallister Syndrome.

Symptoms
Extra Fingers or toes,Fusion of certain fingers,Improper development of Nails,Vertical groove in upper lip,Small tongue
Conditions
Short nose,Unruptured nostrils,Small ears rotated towards back of a head,Abnormal yellowish skin,Abnormal fold in cheeks,Lobes of lung absence
Drugs
Seizure Medication like Carbamazepine,Other symptoms related medicines

Video related to hall-pallister syndrome