摘要
BACKGROUND Fetal akinesia deformation sequence(FADS)is a broad spectrum disorder with absent fetal movements as the unifying feature.The etiology of FADS is heterogeneous and mostly still unknown.A prenatal diagnosis of FADS relies on clinical features obtained by ultrasound and fetal muscle pathology.However,the recent advances of next-generation sequencing(NGS)can effectively provide a definitive molecular diagnosis.CASE SUMMARY A fetus presented after 24 wk and 6 d of gestation with absent fetal movements and multiple abnormal ultrasonographic signs.The mother had had a previous abortion due to a similarly affected fetus a year before.A clinical diagnosis of FADS was made.The parents refused cord blood examination and chose abortion.A molecular diagnosis of fetal muscle using NGS of genes found a compound heterozygous mutation in the MUSK gene:c.220C>T(chr9:113449410 p.R74W)and c.421delC(chr9:113457745 p.P141fs).CONCLUSION To our knowledge,this is the first report in China showing that a mutation in MUSK is associated with FADS.This supports previous finding that a lethal mutation of MUSK will cause FADS.A precise molecular diagnosis for genetic counseling and options for a prenatal diagnosis of FADS are very important,especially for recurrent FADS;this may also provide evidence for both prenatal and preimplantation genetic diagnoses.
BACKGROUND Fetal akinesia deformation sequence(FADS) is a broad spectrum disorder with absent fetal movements as the unifying feature.The etiology of FADS is heterogeneous and mostly still unknown.A prenatal diagnosis of FADS relies on clinical features obtained by ultrasound and fetal muscle pathology.However,the recent advances of next-generation sequencing(NGS) can effectively provide a definitive molecular diagnosis.CASE SUMMARY A fetus presented after 24 wk and 6 d of gestation with absent fetal movements and multiple abnormal ultrasonographic signs.The mother had had a previous abortion due to a similarly affected fetus a year before.A clinical diagnosis of FADS was made.The parents refused cord blood examination and chose abortion.A molecular diagnosis of fetal muscle using NGS of genes found a compound heterozygous mutation in the MUSK gene: c.220 C > T(chr9:113449410 p.R74 W) and c.421 delC(chr9: 113457745 p.P141 fs).CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first report in China showing that a mutation in MUSK is associated with FADS.This supports previous finding that a lethal mutation of MUSK will cause FADS.A precise molecular diagnosis for genetic counseling and options for a prenatal diagnosis of FADS are very important,especially for recurrent FADS; this may also provide evidence for both prenatal and preimplantation genetic diagnoses.
基金
Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81701462(to Lv Y)
the China National Health and Family Planning Commission,No.201402006(to Liu CX)