Five-year follow-up outcomes of comprehensive rehabilitation in Korean siblings with cerebral, ocular, dental, auricular, skeletal anomalies (CODAS) syndrome: A case report

RATIONALE: Cerebral, ocular, dental, auricular, skeletal anomalies (CODAS) syndrome is a very rare multisystem disorder, which shows malformations of the central nervous system, ears, eyes, teeth, and skeleton that was first reported in 1991. Only a few cases that sporadically occurred have been reported worldwide. The research investigating the pathogenesis and patterns of CODAS inheritance is still ongoing. There is no satisfactory treatment for this rare genetic disease yet. Due to the lack of curative medical treatment, rehabilitation could play a major role in treatment for genetic disease. PATIENT CONCERNS: To our best knowledge, the 2 children described in this study are the only CODAS syndromes siblings reported in the world so far. These Korean siblings show highly distinctive features consisting of developmental delay, cataracts, vulnerability to tooth decay, epiphyseal dysplasia, and anomalous ears. DIAGNOSES: CODAS syndrome. INTERVENTIONS: Comprehensive long-term rehabilitation treatment during 5 years. OUTCOMES: We report on the progress of the comprehensive long-term rehabilitation treatment at 5-year follow-up. Their fine motor and language skills development improved similarly to that of same-aged children. We observed the positive effect of rehabilitation on the quality of life. LESSONS: The therapy of genetic disorders is challenging for pediatric neurologists and pediatric physiatrists. We suggest that rehabilitation is the best treatment currently available for this genetic disease that yields satisfactory therapeutic effect.