Molecular Genetic Analysis of Fraser Syndrome and Fryns Syndrome

Detailed Summary

This study will examine blood or other tissue samples from patients with Fraser syndrome and patients with Fryns syndrome to try to identify the gene responsible for these diseases. Fraser syndrome is characterized by congenital abnormalities including cryptophthalmos (lack of eyelid formation), syndactyly (webbed fingers or toes) and abnormal genitalia. Patients may also have abnormalities of the nose, ears and larynx (voice box), cleft lip or palate, and kidney agenesis. Fryns syndrome is characterized by hernia through the diaphragm, cloudy cornea, coarse facial features, cleft lip or palate, abnormal fingers and toes, heart, kidney and brain malformations and hydrocephalus (accumulation of fluid around the brain). This protocol consists of laboratory study only; it does not involve patient care or patient counseling. Patients with Fraser syndrome or Fryns syndrome are eligible for this study. Parents and healthy siblings of patients will also be included for genetic study, and parents of children with undiagnosed multiple congenital anomalies syndromes will be included for comparison study. Participants will provide a blood sample (about 8 to 10 teaspoons from adults; 1 to 3 teaspoons from children) or sample of skin cells collected by swabbing the inner surface of the cheek. Some patients may undergo a skin biopsy, in which a small skin sample (about 1/8-inch in diameter) is surgically removed. The tissue samples will be used to obtain DNA (genetic material) for laboratory testing. A permanent cell line-a collection of cells grown in the laboratory from the original tissue specimen-will also be established to enable additional testing in the future.

Study Details

Timeline