MECP2 triplication in 3 brothers - a rarely described cause of familial neurological regression in boys

Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2012 Mar;16(2):209-12. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2011.07.011. Epub 2011 Aug 6.

Abstract

Male patients with large duplications of the methyl CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene have been identified with a characteristic phenotype consisting of infantile hypotonia replaced by spasticity, developmental delay, severe mental retardation and recurrent respiratory infections. Only one patient with MECP2 triplication, with a more severe phenotype has been reported so far. We report three brothers of unrelated parents with MECP2 triplication. Their phenotypic features include macrocephaly with large ears, infantile hypotonia, developmental delay, significant constipation, recurrent severe respiratory tract infections from early childhood, and seizures followed by neurological regression in late childhood. Our cases indicate that MECP2 triplication is similar to or more severe than that of MECP2 duplication syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Constipation / etiology
  • Constipation / genetics
  • Developmental Disabilities / etiology
  • Developmental Disabilities / genetics
  • Disease Progression
  • Ear / abnormalities
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Gene Duplication
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Megalencephaly / etiology
  • Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 / genetics*
  • Muscle Hypotonia / etiology
  • Muscle Hypotonia / genetics
  • Mutation / physiology*
  • Nervous System Diseases / complications
  • Nervous System Diseases / genetics*
  • Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Phenotype
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / etiology
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / genetics
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Seizures / genetics

Substances

  • MECP2 protein, human
  • Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2