Clinical presentation of PTEN mutations in childhood in the absence of family history of Cowden syndrome

Abstract

Background: PTEN gene (MIM 601628) is a tumor suppressor gene implicated in PTEN hamartoma tumor syndromes (PHTS) including Cowden syndrome, Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, and Proteus-like syndrome. Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome is considered as the pediatric form of PHTS. More recently, children presenting autism spectrum disorders with macrocephaly (ASD-M) have been reported.

Methods: We report clinical data from seven patients diagnosed in childhood with a PTEN germline mutation, excluding cases of familial Cowden syndrome.

Results: This study underlines the variability of phenotype associated with PTEN mutations diagnosed at pediatric age. Most of the patients did not fulfill usual criteria of Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome or ASD-M.

Conclusion: PTEN testing should be considered in any child presenting with severe macrocephaly (>+4SD) and another feature of PHTS.

Keywords: Arteriovenous malformation; Autism spectrum disorder; Bannayan–Riley–Ruvalcaba syndrome; Developmental delay; Macrocephaly; PTEN.