Prenatal diagnosis of a cleidocranial dysplasia-like phenotype associated with a de novo balanced t(2q;6q)(q36;q16) translocation

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a congenital disorder of bone development characterized by persistently open or delayed closure of cranial sutures and wormian bones, hypoplastic and/or aplastic clavicles, wide pubic symphysis, dental anomalies and short stature. The condition is inherited as an autosomal-dominant trait and the human CBFA1 gene has been identified as the CCD gene. We describe a prenatal form of the skeletal disorder that included clavicular hypoplasia, absence of ossification of the cranial parietal bones and very poor ossification of the frontal and pubic bones. Growth restriction affecting only the long bones was also noted. The fetal karyotype revealed an apparently de novo balanced t(2q;6q)(q36;q16) translocation. This particular form of skeletal disorder associated with the absence of family history and an apparently de novo balanced translocation led the parents to opt for termination of the pregnancy. Copyright © 2003 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.