Jacobsen Syndrome

Original Editor - Rania Nasr Top Contributors - Rania Nasr, Rucha Gadgil, Audrey Brown and Kim Jackson

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Jacobsen syndrome (JS) is a rare contiguous gene syndrome caused by partial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 11 (1). It was first described by Jacobsen in 1973[1]. It is also known as 11q terminal deletion disorder because the deletion occurs at the end of the long (q) arm of chromosome 11[2].

Incidence and Prevalence[edit | edit source]

Jacobsen syndrome is an uncommon genetic syndrome, with around 200 cases reported worldwide. The prevalence of JS has been estimated to be at 1 in 100,000 newborns with a female/male ratio of 2:1. Around 8-15% of cases are caused by a deletion from a balanced parental chromosome translocation or rearrangement. Considering that 85092% of cases are of a de novo origin[3].

The severity of symptoms depends on the location and size of the deletion. The prevalence of Intellectual disability in individuals with JS is 97%. developmental delay 68-75%, platelet anomalies 88.5-94%, congenital cardiac malformation 56%, [3] Around 20% of children die during the first two years of life, the main causes are complications of CHD and bleeding disorder caused by thrombocytopenia[4]

Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]

Jacobsen Syndrome
  1. Growth retardation: weight and height below the 5th percentile[1].
  2. Craniofacial dysmorphism: trigonocephaly, high prominent forehead, flat occiput, thin and brittle hair, down slanting palpebral fissure, palpebral ptosis, epicanthal folds, iris coloboma, arched eyebrows, hyper telorism, small and low set ears, short nose with large and depressed nasal bridge, anteverted nostrils, down turning corners of the mouth, large mouth, high palate, dental anomalies, micrognathia[1].
  3. Limbs anomalies: brachydactyly, clinodactyly, comptodactyly, bilateral simian crease, clubfoot, muscular atrophy, stiff joints, pectus excavatum, dorsal scoliosis, lumbar lordosis[1].
  4. Neuromotor and psychiatric disabilities: delayed standing and walking, language learning difficulties, compulsive, hetero-aggressive and auto-aggressive behavior[1]. Increased possibility of autism spectrum disorder characterized by impaired socialization and communication skills[5].
  5. syndromic primary immune deficiency (SPID)[6].
  6. Most of the people with Jacobsen syndrome are diagnosed with  Paris-Trousseau syndrome which is a bleeding disorder[7].
  7. Additional signs and symptoms appears in puberty: primary amenorrhea, genital infantilism, repeated episodes of sinusitis[1].

Diagnostic Procedures[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis is based on clinical findings (thrombocytopenia, intellectual deficit, and facial dysmorphic features) and must be confirmed by cytogenetics analysis[2]

Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Some of the clinical features of children with Jacobsen syndrome are shared with Tuner and Noonan syndrome; such as short and wide neck, short stature, ptosis, pulmonary or aortic stenosis, and down-slanting palpebral fissure. Some children with JS have had clinical diagnosis of Kabuki syndrome due to mental retardation, unusual palpebral fissures, short stature, and finger-pads[2].

Management[edit | edit source]

Jacobsen syndrome is a chromosomal disorder in which children with JS will have a global developmental delays, presented by delayed motor and speech milestones. Hence, they should be referred to physical and/or occupational therapists in order to overcome the motor developmental delay[8].

Intensive neurodevelopmental treatment (Bobath approach) three times weekly, 60 minutes a day, for 3 months is recommended as it shows improved gross motor function and higher compliance than conventional NDT[9].

Bobath approach is developed through observation of the child and the desire to find the best solution to overcome the motor delay. Each child should be assessed in terms of individual movement expression and the potential to maximize their movement efficiency. Treatment cannot be repetitive or stereotype as it has to continuously adapt to the individual's progression. The Bobath approach is a goal-oriented and task-specific concept that aims to change the construct both the internal and external environment in which the individual and the nervous system can function efficiently and effectively.

Integrating play within NDT is proven to have many benefits in improving developmental delay. It improves cognitive and perceptual skills and acts as a stimuli for normal movement patterns by providing appropriate activities.

The adaptation of children with activity is essential for an effective play activity. That involves:

  1. Adapting the shape,size and consistency of the used material.
  2. Modifying the procedure and rules of the play activity.
  3. Adjusting the position of materials and the child.
  4. Controlling the degree of interpersonal interaction. If the motor demand is high, the cognitive demand has to be lowered to meet the changing needs f the child[10].

[11]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 JURCĂ AD, Kozma K, Ioana M, STREAŢĂ I, PETCHEŞI CD, Bembea M, JURCĂ MC, CUC EA, Vesa CM, BUHAŞ CL. Morphological and genetic abnormalities in a Jacobsen syndrome. Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2017;58(4):1531-4.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Mattina T, Perrotta CS, Grossfeld P. Jacobsen syndrome. Orphanet journal of rare diseases. 2009 Dec;4(1):9.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Chávez EP, López JT, Miranda JM, Huerta LM, Cabrera AP, Vega MD, Baas OM, Cuevas-Covarrubias SA. Jacobsen Syndrome: Surgical Complications due to Unsuspected Diagnosis, the Importance of Molecular Studies in Patients with Craniosynostosis. Molecular syndromology. 2015;6(5):229-35.
  4. Descartes M, R.Korf B, M.Mikhail F. Swaiman's Pediatric Neurology. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2017.
  5. Akshoomoff N, Mattson SN, Grossfeld PD. Evidence for autism spectrum disorder in Jacobsen syndrome: identification of a candidate gene in distal 11q. Genetics in Medicine. 2015 Feb;17(2):143.
  6. 1.     Dalm VA, Driessen GJ, Barendregt BH, van Hagen PM, van der Burg M. The 11q terminal deletion disorder jacobsen syndrome is a syndromic primary immunodeficiency. Journal of clinical immunology. 2015 Nov 1;35(8):761-8.
  7. Ichimiya Y, Wada Y, Kunishima S, Tsukamoto K, Kosaki R, Sago H, Ishiguro A, Ito Y. 11q23 deletion syndrome (Jacobsen syndrome) with severe bleeding: a case report. Journal of medical case reports. 2018 Dec;12(1):3.
  8. Noritz GH, Murphy NA. Motor delays: early identification and evaluation. Pediatrics. 2013 May 27:peds-2013.
  9. Lee KH, Park JW, Lee HJ, Nam KY, Park TJ, Kim HJ, Kwon BS. Efficacy of intensive neurodevelopmental treatment for children with developmental delay, with or without cerebral palsy. Annals of rehabilitation medicine. 2017 Feb 1;41(1):90-6.
  10. Anderson J, Hinojosa J, Strauch C. Integrating play in neurodevelopmental treatment. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 1987 Jul 1;41(7):421-6.
  11. MoveForwardPT. Physical Therapy -- Toys for Children with Developmental Delays and Disabilities. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ1PeQWSfAs [last accessed 3/10/2019]