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Cantu syndrome, or hypertrichotic osteochondrodysplasia, is a condition characterized by a range of severe and systemic defects in the body.

Credit: Evgeny Atamanenko/Shutterstock.com

It was first described in 1982 and is caused by mutations in two distinctive genes that code for the regulatory or pore-forming subunits of K_ATP channels in the heart. Only about 50 cases of this rare disorder have been reported the world over. Most have detectable mutations in the ABCC9 or (much rarer) KCNJ8 genes.

These mutations cause gain-of-function in the isoforms of the ATP-sensitive potassium channels called K_ATP , which are present mainly in heart muscle. This causes regulatory or pore-forming dysfunction of these channels, respectively, depending on the subunit encoded by the affected gene.

Inheritance

Cantu syndrome is transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner, so 50% of the offspring of an affected individual may potentially inherit the disease. Most cases are due to new mutations, however.

Clinical features

Cantu syndrome is characterized by a combination of:

• Generalized hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth) including thick hair over the scalp, and excessive hair over the forehead, back, face and limbs
• History of fetal macrosomia and/or polyhydramnios
• Coarse facial features, such as a broad nose, long philtrum, wide mouth, flaring nostrils, and epicanthal folds
• Macrocephaly, commonly present at birth or developing in childhood
• Cardiomegaly
• Patent ductus arteriosus (50%), which may sometimes be extremely large and may need early closure
• Pericardial effusion (20%)
• Skeletal abnormalities (osteochondrodysplasia), such as thickened skull, broad ribs, and scoliosis, which do not usually require treatment except for scoliosis, in some cases
• Lymphedema, which may be present at birth, but typically resolves without treatment
• Abnormal blood vessels, such as tortuous vessels in the retina, or convoluted arteriovenous communications in the lungs at multiple sites, or dilated and tortuous vessels within the central nervous system and systemic circulations, with kcnj8 mutations
• Behavioral problems, such as anxiety, mood fluctuations, or obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Intelligence is typically normal, but may be higher than usual or sometimes mildly subnormal
• Other manifestations, such as pulmonary hypertension, abnormal connective tissue with hyper-extensible joints and loose skin, little subcutaneous fat, gut abnormalities, such as umbilical hernia and upper gastrointestinal bleeds, craniosynostosis or premature fusion of cranial bones, and occasionally stunted growth due to growth hormone deficiency
• Fetuses with Cantu syndrome are at risk for developing macrosomia and polyhydramnios, with their related consequences,­ such as preterm labor, premature birth and increased operative deliveries.
• There are two other syndromes caused by ABCC9 mutations, namely, acromegaloid facial appearance (AFA) and hypertrichosis with acromegaloid facial features (HAFF).

Diagnosis and management

The diagnosis depends on the clinical symptoms and signs, and is confirmed by genetic testing for a mutation in ABCC9 or KCNJ8. The child must be evaluated for heart, and bone abnormalities other than those, which are obvious at presentation. Brain neuroimaging is required if the patient has persistent headaches or other neurologic symptoms.

Management is based on the symptoms. Hypertrichosis may be treated with depilatory therapies, whether mechanical (shaving) or more sophisticated methods. Heart defects and scoliosis must be treated as early as required. Edema may require compression stockings if persistent or troublesome.

Yearly follow ups are mandatory to monitor the heart size as well as function and other complications. Genetic counseling is offered to the family if one of the above mutations is detected in a proband. Some clinically unaffected parents may have germline or somatic mosaicism and may have thus escaped serious manifestations.

Further Reading

• All Cantu Syndrome Content
• All Child Health Content
• How Long should my Child Sleep for?
• Growing Pains
• Headaches in Children

Written by

Dr. Liji Thomas

Dr. Liji Thomas is an OB-GYN, who graduated from the Government Medical College, University of Calicut, Kerala, in 2001. Liji practiced as a full-time consultant in obstetrics/gynecology in a private hospital for a few years following her graduation. She has counseled hundreds of patients facing issues from pregnancy-related problems and infertility, and has been in charge of over 2,000 deliveries, striving always to achieve a normal delivery rather than operative.