About kenny caffey syndrome

What is kenny caffey syndrome?

Kenny-Caffey syndrome type 2 (KCS2) is an extremely rare hereditary skeletal disorder characterized by thickening of the long bones, thin marrow cavities in the bones (medullary stenosis), and abnormalities affecting the head and eyes. Most cases are obvious at birth (congenital). The primary outcome of KCS2 is short stature. Intelligence is usually normal. Individuals with KCS may also have recurrent episodes of low levels of calcium in the blood stream (hypocalcemia) that is caused by insufficient production of parathyroid hormones (hpoparathyroidism). In most cases, KCS2 is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder.

What are the symptoms for kenny caffey syndrome?

KSC2 is present at birth (congenital) and low birth weight may be one of the first symptoms. This extremely rare genetic disorder is characterized by abnormalities affecting the skeleton, the head, and the eyes. Recurrent episodes of unusually low levels of calcium (hypocalcemia) in the blood are common. Most affected individuals, exhibit Short stature of adult height ranging from 48 to 59 inches. Intelligence is usually normal.

KCS2 usually affects several bones of the body. Affected individuals may have thickened outer layers (cortexes) of various long bones, and abnormally thin marrow cavities (medullary stenosis). Some individuals may also have abnormal hardening of some bones (osteosclerosis).

KCS2 also affects the head and face. The anterior fontanel is a soft, membrane-covered area between the bones of an infant’s skull that usually closes about 18 months after birth. However, in KCS2, the anterior fontanel is abnormally large, closes late, and a fibrous joint between the bones in the forehead (metopic suture) is spaced wider than usual. As a result, affected infants have an abnormally large head circumference (macrocephaly) with a prominent forehead.

Several abnormalities of the eyes are also associated with KCS2. Affected individuals may have unusually small eyes (microphthalmia), leakage of cerebrospinal fluid into the optic disk of the eye may cause Swelling of the disk (papilledema), and/or farsightedness (hyperopia). In some cases of this disorder, nearsightedness (myopia) has been observed. One case reported in the medical literature noted retinal and corneal calcification. Another case had bilateral optic atrophy.

Episodes of abnormally low levels of calcium in the blood (hypocalcemia) are prevalent in individuals, especially infants, affected by KCS2. Onset of hypocalcemia is usually within two to three months after birth. Other episodes may occur in relation to stress or may follow surgery or illness in an adult. Hypocalcemia is not permanent (transient) and may be caused by insufficient production of parathyroid hormones (hypoparathyroidism). These hormones, along with vitamin D and the hormone calcitonin, regulate the levels of calcium in the blood. The lack of the parathyroid hormones may be due to improper function or absence of the parathyroid glands in people with KCS2. Symptoms of hypoparathyroidism include weakness, muscle cramps; excessive nervousness; loss of memory; headaches, and abnormal sensations such as tingling, burning, and Numbness of the hands. (For more information about “Hypoparathyroidism,” please see the Related Disorders section of this report.)

Low levels of calcium in the blood may also cause a condition called tetany, which is characterized by muscle cramps and periods of high-pitched respiration (stridor). Individuals with KCS2 may also exhibit abnormally low levels of phosphates in the blood (hypophosphatemia), low levels of a hormone that acts to reduce the blood level of calcium (calcitonin), low levels of circulating red blood cells (anemia), and seizures.

People affected by the recessive form of KCS2 have most of the above-mentioned abnormalities and symptoms. They may also exhibit liver disease during the first month of life (neonatal period), abnormally low levels of a certain type of white blood cell (neutropenia), improper function of another type of white blood cell (T-cells), and/or underdeveloped (hypoplastic), malformed nails.

What are the causes for kenny caffey syndrome?

In most cases, KCS2 is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder. Genetic diseases are determined by two genes, one received from the father and one from the mother.

Dominant genetic disorders occur when only a single copy of an abnormal gene is necessary for the appearance of the disease. The abnormal gene can be inherited from either parent, or can be the result of a new mutation (gene change) in the affected individual. The risk of passing the abnormal gene from affected parent to offspring is 50% for each pregnancy regardless of the gender of the resulting child.

Recessive genetic disorders occur when an individual inherits the same abnormal gene for the same trait from each parent. If an individual receives one normal gene and one gene for the disease, the person will be a carrier for the disease, but usually will not show symptoms. The risk for two carrier parents to both pass the defective gene and, therefore, have an affected child is 25% with each pregnancy. The risk to have a child who is a carrier like the parents is 50% with each pregnancy. The chance for a child to receive normal genes from both parents and be genetically normal for that particular trait is 25%.

X-linked recessive genetic disorders are conditions caused by an abnormal gene on the X chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes but one of the X chromosomes is “turned off” and all of the genes on that chromosome are inactivated. Females who have a disease gene present on one of their X chromosomes are carriers for that disorder. Carrier females usually do not display symptoms of the disorder because it is usually the X chromosome with the abnormal gene that is “turned off”. Males have one X chromosome and if they inherit an X chromosome that contains a disease gene, they will develop the disease. Males with X-linked disorders pass the disease gene to all of their daughters, who will be carriers. Males cannot pass an X-linked gene to their sons because males always pass their Y chromosome instead of their X chromosome to male offspring. Female carriers of an X-linked disorder have a 25% chance with each pregnancy to have a carrier daughter like themselves, a 25% chance to have a non-carrier daughter, a 25% to have a son affected with the disease, and a 25% chance to have an unaffected son.

Investigators have determined that the recessive form of Kenny-Caffey syndrome is the same disorder as Hypoparathyroidism-retardation-dysmophic (HRD) syndrome, which is also known as Sanjad-Sakati syndrome. HRD is an extremely rare disorder characterized by hypoparathyroidism that is present at birth (congenital); growth retardation, mental retardation; and characteristic facial abnormalities. Such facial features may include deep-set eyes, abnormally thin upper lip, abnormally small jaw (micrognathia), and a depressed bridge of the nose. Affected individuals may also have skeletal defects, abnormally thin marrow cavities (medullary stenosis), and abnormally low levels of calcium in the blood (hypocalcemia). HRD syndrome is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. HRD syndrome is caused by disruption or changes (mutations) of the tubulin-specific chaperone E (TBCE) gene located on the long arm (q) of chromosome 1 (1q42-q43). Chromosomes, which are present in the nucleus of human cells, carry the genetic information for each individual. Pairs of human chromosomes are numbered from 1 through 22, and an additional 23rd pair of sex chromosomes which include one X and one Y chromosome in males and two X chromosomes in females. Each chromosome has a short arm designated “p” and a long arm designated “q”. Chromosomes are further sub-divided into many bands that are numbered. For example, “chromosome 1q42” refers to band 42 on the long arm of chromosome 1. The numbered bands specify the location of the thousands of genes that are present on each chromosome.

What are the treatments for kenny caffey syndrome?

The treatment of KCS2 is directed toward the specific symptoms that are apparent in each individual. Vitamin D and calcium have been prescribed for and proven effective in treating hypocalcemia. If anemia occurs, iron supplements may be prescribed. People with KCS2 should be monitored regularly by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) who is familiar with the eye abnormalities associated with this syndrome.

Genetic counseling is recommended for affected individuals and their families. A supportive team approach for children with KCS2 may be of benefit. Such a team approach may include physical therapy and other medical, social, or vocational services. Other treatment is symptomatic and supportive.

What are the risk factors for kenny caffey syndrome?

Some cases of autosomal recessive Kenny-Caffey syndrome/HRD syndrome have had parents who were related by blood (consanguineous). All individuals carry 4-5 abnormal genes. Parents who are close relatives (consanguineous) have a higher chance than unrelated parents to both carry the same abnormal gene, which increases the risk to have children with a recessive genetic disorder.

Is there a cure/medications for kenny caffey syndrome?

There is no cure for Kenny Caffey Syndrome yet, but there are some promising treatments.

1. There is a new drug that can help control the symptoms of KCS. It's called M-22, and it works by blocking the action of serotonin receptors in the brain. This helps reduce the severity of some of the symptoms, including seizures and involuntary movement.

2. Another treatment option is deep brain stimulation (DBS), which involves inserting electrodes into specific parts of your brain to deliver electrical impulses that block pain signals from reaching your nerves. DBS can help relieve some of your symptoms and make them easier for you to manage (like muscle spasms or tremors).

3. A third option is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which uses electromagnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in your brain that control movement problems like tremors or stiffness in muscles without affecting other parts of your body like TMS does when used as an antidepressant treatment option.

4. The medications for Kenny Caffey Syndrome are fairly limited and come with a lot of side effects, which can make it difficult to find the right one.

5. The main medication is called Tetrabenazine (Xenazine), which is a dopamine blocker that reduces the symptoms of KCS by blocking excessive dopamine from reaching your brain. It works by reducing tremors and rigidity, making it easier for people with KCS to move around and care for themselves.

6. Tetrabenazine has some serious side effects, however, including nausea and vomiting, drowsiness or sleepiness, uncontrolled movements (such as twitching or jerking), drooling, and dry mouth. These side effects can be severe enough that they outweigh any benefits you might get from taking the drug.

Symptoms
Poor coordination and balance, often leading to difficulty walking,Vision loss,Muscle weakness or paralysis in the arms and legs,Seizures,Stomach problems, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Conditions
Abnormally short fingers and toes,Pronounced facial features like a wide forehead, small eyes, and a flat nose,Small hands with short fingers and limited mobility in the joints,A large head with a prominent forehead and bulging eyes
Drugs
Amitriptyline,Citalopram,Clomipramine,Desipramine

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