Lacrimo‐auriculo‐dento‐digital syndrome: A novel mutation in a Korean family and review of literature

BACKGROUND: Lacrimo‐auriculo‐dento‐digital (LADD) syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in one of the three genes: fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2), FGFR3, or FGF10. Affected patients have hypoplasia/aplasia of lacrimal ducts/glands, hypoplasia/aplasia of salivary glands, dental anomalies, ear anomalies, hearing loss, and digital anomalies. CASE PRESENTATION: Proband was an 11‐year‐old male with xerostomia, xerophthalmia, and a referring diagnosis of Sjogren syndrome. He presented with microdontia, hypodontia, low‐set/cupped ear auricles, and hearing loss in the left ear. METHODS: Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed on proband. Variations and segregation within the family were verified using Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Molecular studies revealed a novel heterozygous missense mutation in exon 11 of FGFR2: c.1547C>T (p.Ala516Val), compatible with LADD syndrome. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a family with LADD syndrome in Korea. The combination of xerostomia and xerophthalmia, seen in patients with LADD syndrome, may be misdiagnosed as Sjogren syndrome. WES may be a useful clinical tool in ascertaining the affected gene in patients with suspected genetic disorders. Here, a literature review and summary of 23 case reports/series of LADD syndrome are presented, which may help to identify patients with this condition.