Pediatric Cushing syndrome: An early sign of an underling cancer predisposition syndrome

Am J Med Genet A. 2021 Sep;185(9):2824-2828. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62255. Epub 2021 May 7.

Abstract

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a genetic overgrowth and cancer predisposition syndrome that can be associated with a spectrum of clinical features including isolated lateralized overgrowth, macrosomia, macroglossia, organomegaly, omphalocele/umbilical hernia, and distinct facial features. Because of a range of clinical presentations and molecular defects involving Chromosome 11p15, many cases will fall within what is now being defined as the Beckwith-Wiedemann spectrum (BWSp). Cushing syndrome (CS) in infants is a rare neuroendocrinological disease associated with hypercortisolism that has rarely been reported in patients with BWS. Here, we describe the first case of a 5-month-old male with CS secondary to paternal uniparental disomy of Chromosome 11p without additional clinical signs or symptoms of BWS. This case continues to expand the phenotypic spectrum of BWSp.

Keywords: Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome; Cushing syndrome; adrenocortical carcinoma; cancer predisposition syndrome; chromosome microarray; uniparental disomy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome / complications
  • Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome / genetics
  • Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome / pathology*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11 / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary / complications
  • Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary / genetics
  • Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary / pathology*
  • Uniparental Disomy*