Expanding the phenotypic spectrum of cardiospondylocarpofacial syndrome: From a detailed clinical and radiological observation of a boy with a novel missense variant in MAP3K7

Cardiospondylocarpofacial syndrome (CSCF; OMIM#157800) is characterized by growth impairment, failure to thrive in infancy, multiple valvular disease, carpal and tarsal fusions, vertebral fusions, and joint hypermobility. It is caused by pathogenic variants of MAP3K7, which encodes transforming growth factor-beta activated kinase 1 (TAK1), a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase family (MAPKKK). Only eight individuals with molecularly confirmed CSCF have been reported. Here, we report the first Asian CSCF male with a novel missense variant of MAP3K7 (NM_145331.3: c.467A > T: p.Asp156Val). We compared and reviewed the clinical and molecular findings in previously reported CSCF cases and the present case to better delineate the phenotype of CSCF. In addition to the main symptoms of CSCF, the present case had a mixed phenotype of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and Noonan syndrome. Taking this case together with the previously reported cases, CSCF may overlap with the phenotypes of EDS and Noonan syndrome, suggesting that this finding may contribute to diagnosing CSCF. Another major achievement of this research is to successfully capture the process of carpal fusion in a CSCF case radiographically. This work may expand the phenotypic spectrum of CSCF.

Automated summary

A new case of CSCF in an Asian male with a novel variant of MAP3K7 is reported, showing a mixed phenotype of EDS and Noonan syndrome. This case, together with previously reported cases, suggests that CSCF may overlap with the phenotypes of EDS and Noonan syndrome. Additionally, successfully capturing carpal fusion radiographically in a CSCF case may expand the phenotypic spectrum of the syndrome.