Sigrid Claudia Disse1,2, Sandra P Toelle3, Simone Schroeder4, Martin Theiler5, Lisa Weibel5, Philip Broser6, Cornelia Langner7, Dawn Siegel8, Knut Brockmann4, Ines Schoenfelder9, Sascha Meyer10. 1. Department of Neuropediatrics, Children's Hospital at University Medical Center Homburg, Homburg, Germany, phaces-sws.esnek@uks.eu. 2. Children's Hospital Weiden, Kliniken Nordoberpfalz AG, Weiden, Germany, phaces-sws.esnek@uks.eu. 3. Department of Neuropediatrics, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 4. Interdisciplinary Pediatric Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities and Severe Chronic Disorders, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany. 5. Pediatric Skin Center, Department of Dermatology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 6. Center for Pediatric Neurology, Development and Rehabilitation, Ostschweizer Kinderspital, St. Gallen, Switzerland. 7. Pediatric Practice, Neuropediatrics/Epilepsy, Fulda, Germany. 8. Department of Dermatology and Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. 9. Pediatric Practice, Pediatrics and Psychotherapy, Lübben, Germany. 10. Department of Neuropediatrics, Children's Hospital at University Medical Center Homburg, Homburg, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: PHACE syndrome is a rare inborn condition characterized by large facial hemangiomas and variable malformations of the arterial system, heart, central nervous system, and eyes. According to Orphanet estimates, the prevalence is <1.0 per million. Data from Europe are limited to small case series, and there are no population-based data available. OBJECTIVES: We conducted the present study to provide population-based estimates of the disease prevalence of PHACE syndrome in children in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. We compared these first systematic data on PHACE syndrome from Europe to published data from the PHACE Syndrome International Clinical Registry and Genetic Repository (USA). Clinical features in our cohort with PHACE syndrome were assessed in detail, including the need for early supportive measures. METHODS: We used a population-based approach by means of a previously well-established network of child neurologists from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria ("ESNEK") to identify potential patients. The patients' guardians and child neurologists were asked to fill in questionnaires developed in collaboration with the International PHACE Registry. RESULTS: We identified 19 patients with PHACE syndrome. Estimated prevalence rates were 6.5 per million in Switzerland, 0.59 per million in Germany, and 0.65 per million in Austria. A subset of 10 patients from Germany and Switzerland participated in our study, providing detailed clinical assessment (median age: 2.5 years; 9 females, 1 male). Cerebrovascular involvement was frequent (80%). Facial hemangioma extent correlated significantly with the number of organs involved (p = 0.011). In 9 out of 10 patients, facial hemangiomas were treated successfully with oral propranolol. Baseline demographic data as well as the rate of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular anomalies were in line with those from the US International PHACE Registry and other published PHACE cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides population-based estimates for PHACE syndrome in 3 German-speaking countries. The data from Switzerland indicate that PHACE syndrome may be more prevalent than demonstrated by previous reports. Underreporting of PHACE syndrome in Germany and Austria likely accounts for the differences in prevalence rates. The clinical observation of a potential association between the size of facial hemangioma and extent of organ involvement warrants further investigation.
BACKGROUND: PHACE syndrome is a rare inborn condition characterized by large facial hemangiomas and variable malformations of the arterial system, heart, central nervous system, and eyes. According to Orphanet estimates, the prevalence is <1.0 per million. Data from Europe are limited to small case series, and there are no population-based data available. OBJECTIVES: We conducted the present study to provide population-based estimates of the disease prevalence of PHACE syndrome in children in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. We compared these first systematic data on PHACE syndrome from Europe to published data from the PHACE Syndrome International Clinical Registry and Genetic Repository (USA). Clinical features in our cohort with PHACE syndrome were assessed in detail, including the need for early supportive measures. METHODS: We used a population-based approach by means of a previously well-established network of child neurologists from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria ("ESNEK") to identify potential patients. The patients' guardians and child neurologists were asked to fill in questionnaires developed in collaboration with the International PHACE Registry. RESULTS: We identified 19 patients with PHACE syndrome. Estimated prevalence rates were 6.5 per million in Switzerland, 0.59 per million in Germany, and 0.65 per million in Austria. A subset of 10 patients from Germany and Switzerland participated in our study, providing detailed clinical assessment (median age: 2.5 years; 9 females, 1 male). Cerebrovascular involvement was frequent (80%). Facial hemangioma extent correlated significantly with the number of organs involved (p = 0.011). In 9 out of 10 patients, facial hemangiomas were treated successfully with oral propranolol. Baseline demographic data as well as the rate of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular anomalies were in line with those from the US International PHACE Registry and other published PHACE cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides population-based estimates for PHACE syndrome in 3 German-speaking countries. The data from Switzerland indicate that PHACE syndrome may be more prevalent than demonstrated by previous reports. Underreporting of PHACE syndrome in Germany and Austria likely accounts for the differences in prevalence rates. The clinical observation of a potential association between the size of facial hemangioma and extent of organ involvement warrants further investigation.