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Dyskeratosis congenita, autosomal dominant 2(DKCA2)

MedGen UID:
462793
Concept ID:
C3151443
Disease or Syndrome
Synonyms: DKCA2; DYSKERATOSIS CONGENITA, AUTOSOMAL DOMINANT 2
 
Gene (location): TERT (5p15.33)
 
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0013521
OMIM®: 613989

Disease characteristics

Dyskeratosis congenita and related telomere biology disorders (DC/TBD) are caused by impaired telomere maintenance resulting in short or very short telomeres. The phenotypic spectrum of telomere biology disorders is broad and includes individuals with classic dyskeratosis congenita (DC) as well as those with very short telomeres and an isolated physical finding. Classic DC is characterized by a triad of dysplastic nails, lacy reticular pigmentation of the upper chest and/or neck, and oral leukoplakia, although this may not be present in all individuals. People with DC/TBD are at increased risk for progressive bone marrow failure (BMF), myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myelogenous leukemia, solid tumors (usually squamous cell carcinoma of the head/neck or anogenital cancer), and pulmonary fibrosis. Other findings can include eye abnormalities (epiphora, blepharitis, sparse eyelashes, ectropion, entropion, trichiasis), taurodontism, liver disease, gastrointestinal telangiectasias, and avascular necrosis of the hips or shoulders. Although most persons with DC/TBD have normal psychomotor development and normal neurologic function, significant developmental delay is present in both forms; additional findings include cerebellar hypoplasia (Hoyeraal Hreidarsson syndrome) and bilateral exudative retinopathy and intracranial calcifications (Revesz syndrome and Coats plus syndrome). Onset and progression of manifestations of DC/TBD vary: at the mild end of the spectrum are those who have only minimal physical findings with normal bone marrow function, and at the severe end are those who have the diagnostic triad and early-onset BMF. [from GeneReviews]
Authors:
Sharon A Savage  |  Marena R Niewisch   view full author information

Additional description

From OMIM
Dyskeratosis congenita is a multisystem disorder caused by defective telomere maintenance. Features are variable and include bone marrow failure, pulmonary and liver fibrosis, premature graying of the hair, immunodeficiency, and gastrointestinal disease (Armanios et al., 2005; Jonassaint et al., 2013). For a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of dyskeratosis congenita, see DKCA1 (127550).  http://www.omim.org/entry/613989

Clinical features

From HPO
Urethral stricture
MedGen UID:
1641821
Concept ID:
C4551691
Pathologic Function
Narrowing of the urethra associated with inflammation or scar tissue.
Palmoplantar keratosis
MedGen UID:
44017
Concept ID:
C0022596
Disease or Syndrome
Abnormal thickening of the skin localized to the palm of the hand and the sole of the foot.
Primary dilated cardiomyopathy
MedGen UID:
2880
Concept ID:
C0007193
Disease or Syndrome
Familial dilated cardiomyopathy is a genetic form of heart disease. It occurs when heart (cardiac) muscle becomes thin and weakened in at least one chamber of the heart, causing the open area of the chamber to become enlarged (dilated). As a result, the heart is unable to pump blood as efficiently as usual. To compensate, the heart attempts to increase the amount of blood being pumped through the heart, leading to further thinning and weakening of the cardiac muscle. Over time, this condition results in heart failure.\n\nIt usually takes many years for symptoms of familial dilated cardiomyopathy to cause health problems. They typically begin in mid-adulthood, but can occur at any time from infancy to late adulthood. Signs and symptoms of familial dilated cardiomyopathy can include an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), shortness of breath (dyspnea), extreme tiredness (fatigue), fainting episodes (syncope), and swelling of the legs and feet. In some cases, the first sign of the disorder is sudden cardiac death. The severity of the condition varies among affected individuals, even in members of the same family.
Short stature
MedGen UID:
87607
Concept ID:
C0349588
Finding
A height below that which is expected according to age and gender norms. Although there is no universally accepted definition of short stature, many refer to "short stature" as height more than 2 standard deviations below the mean for age and gender (or below the 3rd percentile for age and gender dependent norms).
Failure to thrive
MedGen UID:
746019
Concept ID:
C2315100
Disease or Syndrome
Failure to thrive (FTT) refers to a child whose physical growth is substantially below the norm.
Hepatic fibrosis
MedGen UID:
116093
Concept ID:
C0239946
Disease or Syndrome
The presence of excessive fibrous connective tissue in the liver. Fibrosis is a reparative or reactive process.
Chronic diarrhea
MedGen UID:
96036
Concept ID:
C0401151
Finding
The presence of chronic diarrhea, which is usually taken to mean diarrhea that has persisted for over 4 weeks.
Esophageal stricture
MedGen UID:
1637009
Concept ID:
C4551650
Disease or Syndrome
A pathological narrowing of the esophagus that is caused by the development of a ring of scar tissue that constricts the esophageal lumen.
Cerebellar hypoplasia
MedGen UID:
120578
Concept ID:
C0266470
Congenital Abnormality
Cerebellar hypoplasia is a descriptive term implying a cerebellum with a reduced volume, but a normal shape and is stable over time.
Global developmental delay
MedGen UID:
107838
Concept ID:
C0557874
Finding
A delay in the achievement of motor or mental milestones in the domains of development of a child, including motor skills, speech and language, cognitive skills, and social and emotional skills. This term should only be used to describe children younger than five years of age.
Aplastic anemia
MedGen UID:
8063
Concept ID:
C0002874
Disease or Syndrome
Aplastic anemia is a serious disorder of the bone marrow that affects between 2 and 5 persons per million per year. About 75% of these cases are classified as idiopathic (Young, 2000). In about 15% of cases a drug or infection can be identified that precipitates the aplasia, although why only some individuals are susceptible is unclear. In about 5 to 10% of patients, the aplastic anemia is constitutional--i.e., is familial or presents with one or more associated somatic abnormalities (summary by Vulliamy et al., 2002).
Pancytopenia
MedGen UID:
18281
Concept ID:
C0030312
Disease or Syndrome
An abnormal reduction in numbers of all blood cell types (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets).
Thrombocytopenia
MedGen UID:
52737
Concept ID:
C0040034
Disease or Syndrome
A reduction in the number of circulating thrombocytes.
Bone marrow hypocellularity
MedGen UID:
383749
Concept ID:
C1855710
Finding
A reduced number of hematopoietic cells present in the bone marrow relative to marrow fat.
Avascular necrosis
MedGen UID:
10200
Concept ID:
C0027543
Disease or Syndrome
A disease where there is cellular death (necrosis) of bone components due to interruption of the blood supply.
Osteoporosis
MedGen UID:
14535
Concept ID:
C0029456
Disease or Syndrome
Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone density and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue with a consequent increase in bone fragility. According to the WHO criteria, osteoporosis is defined as a BMD that lies 2.5 standard deviations or more below the average value for young healthy adults (a T-score below -2.5 SD).
Microcephaly
MedGen UID:
1644158
Concept ID:
C4551563
Finding
Head circumference below 2 standard deviations below the mean for age and gender.
Pulmonary fibrosis
MedGen UID:
11028
Concept ID:
C0034069
Disease or Syndrome
Replacement of normal lung tissues by fibroblasts and collagen.
Leukopenia
MedGen UID:
6073
Concept ID:
C0023530
Disease or Syndrome
An abnormal decreased number of leukocytes in the blood.
Neutropenia
MedGen UID:
163121
Concept ID:
C0853697
Finding
An abnormally low number of neutrophils in the peripheral blood.
Oral mucosa leukoplakia
MedGen UID:
9738
Concept ID:
C0023532
Neoplastic Process
A thickened white patch on the oral mucosa that cannot be rubbed off.
Abnormality of the dentition
MedGen UID:
78084
Concept ID:
C0262444
Finding
Any abnormality of the teeth.
Nail dystrophy
MedGen UID:
66368
Concept ID:
C0221260
Disease or Syndrome
Onychodystrophy (nail dystrophy) refers to nail changes apart from changes of the color (nail dyschromia) and involves partial or complete disruption of the various keratinous layers of the nail plate.
Premature graying of hair
MedGen UID:
75524
Concept ID:
C0263498
Finding
Development of gray hair at a younger than normal age.
White forelock
MedGen UID:
91023
Concept ID:
C0344312
Finding
A triangular depigmented region of white hairs located in the anterior midline of the scalp.
Nail dysplasia
MedGen UID:
331737
Concept ID:
C1834405
Congenital Abnormality
The presence of developmental dysplasia of the nail.
Reticulated skin pigmentation
MedGen UID:
481205
Concept ID:
C3279575
Finding

Recent clinical studies

Prognosis

Vittal A, Niewisch MR, Bhala S, Kudaravalli P, Rahman F, Hercun J, Kleiner DE, Savage SA, Koh C, Heller T, Giri N
Hepatology 2023 Dec 1;78(6):1777-1787. Epub 2023 May 16 doi: 10.1097/HEP.0000000000000461. PMID: 37184208Free PMC Article

Clinical prediction guides

Vittal A, Niewisch MR, Bhala S, Kudaravalli P, Rahman F, Hercun J, Kleiner DE, Savage SA, Koh C, Heller T, Giri N
Hepatology 2023 Dec 1;78(6):1777-1787. Epub 2023 May 16 doi: 10.1097/HEP.0000000000000461. PMID: 37184208Free PMC Article

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