Holoprosencephaly in an Egyptian baby with ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft syndrome: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft lip or palate syndrome (OMIM No. 129900) is characterized by the triad of ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia and facial clefting (of the lip and/or palate). Holoprosencephaly denotes a failure in the division of the embryonic forebrain (prosencephalon) into distinct lateral cerebral hemisphere. The association between ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft lip or palate syndrome and holoprosencephaly is very rare. Here we report holoprosencephaly in an Egyptian infant with ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft lip or palate syndrome. CASE PRESENTATION: An 11-month-old Egyptian female baby was referred to our institution for an evaluation of poor growth; the pregnancy and perinatal history were uneventful. On examination, her growth parameters were below the third centile, she had bilateral ectrodactyly of both hands and feet, dry rough skin, sparse hair of the scalp and operated right cleft lip and cleft palate. Computerized tomography of her brain revealed holoprosencephaly. CONCLUSION: The importance of the early diagnosis of this syndrome should be emphasized in order to implement a multidisciplinary approach for proper management of such cases.