Oculo-facio-cardio-dental syndrome: skewed X chromosome inactivation in mother and daughter suggest X-linked dominant Inheritance.

Oculo-facio-cardio-dental syndrome (OFCD) is an uncommon multiple congenital anomaly syndrome that is characterized by congenital cataracts, multiple minor facial dysmorphic features, congenital heart defects, and dental anomalies including canine radiculomegaly and oligodontia. Although most cases of OFCD are sporadic, since all reported OFCD individuals have been female, it has been suggested that OFCD is an X-linked dominant trait. Here we report two affected female patients with OFCD, a mother and daughter, who both had congenital cataracts, microphthalmia, characteristic dental anomalies, and typical facial dysmorphisms. These features were diagnostic for OFCD; thus, these cases represent the second documented instance of mother-to-daughter OFCD transmission. In addition to the clinical features typically seen in OFCD individuals, the affected daughter exhibited several additional congenital anomalies including intestinal malrotation and hypoplastic thumbs. Thus, these cases further define and expand the OFCD clinical phenotype. These two individuals also displayed a skewed pattern of X chromosome inactivation. Together, these data strongly support the hypothesis that OFCD is inherited as an X-linked dominant condition. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.