Meckel-Gruber syndrome: A rare and lethal anomaly with review of literature

Abstract

Meckel-Gruber syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive lethal malformation characterized by typical manifestations of occipital encephalocele, bilateral polycystic kidneys and post axial polydactyly. The worldwide incidence varies from 1 in 13,250 to 1 in 140,000 live births. Highest incidence was reported in Gujarati Indians. We report a rare case of Meckel-Gruber syndrome and review of literature.

Introduction

Meckel-Gruber syndrome (MGS) is a triad of occipital encephalocele, large polycystic kidneys, and postaxial polydactyly. It is a rare, lethal autosomal recessive condition mapped to 6 different loci in different chromosomes.[1] Meckel-Gruber syndrome is a condition characterized by ciliopathies caused by dysfunction of cilia and flagella. Polycystic liver and kidney disease, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, Alstrom syndrome, and Joubert syndrome also belong to the same group.[2] We report a female baby with a typical triad of Meckel-Gruber syndrome.

Case Report

A full term baby born of a non-consanguineous marriage, in non-Gujarati (Sindhi) community was brought with a swelling over occipital region. Antenatal Ultrasonography (USG) was suggestive of occipital encephalocele, polyhydramnios and dysplastic kidneys. On examination there was a fleshy mass of size 5 × 5 cm with exposed meninges with flat anterior fontanel [Figure 1]. Left hand and foot each had an extra digit on medial side [Figure 2]. Fundus examination was normal. Spine examination was normal. USG Brain showed normal brain parenchyma, mildly dilated third ventricle and bone defect in posterior part of calvarium with herniation of brain tissue. USG abdomen was suggestive of bilateral multicystic dysplastic kidneys [Figure 3]. Computerized tomography (CT) brain was suggestive of large occipital encephalocele with normal ventricles [Figure 4]. Excision with duraplasty was done in prone position. Patient needed mechanical ventilation postoperatively, and the baby expired due to ventilator associated pneumonia.

Figure 1.

Large fleshy mass of size 5 × 5 cm with exposed meninges

Figure 2.

Polydactyly

Figure 3.

USG picture showing multicystic dysplastic kidneys

Figure 4.

Plain CT scan brain showing occipital encephalocele

Discussion

Meckel-Gruber syndrome (MGS) was first described by Johann Friedrich Meckel in 1822 in two siblings who died of identical malformations of occipital encephalocele, polycystic kidneys and polydactyly.[3,4] George B Gruber in 1934 reported many familial cases with similar features and coined the term ‘dysencephalia splanchnocystica’.[5] In 1969, Opitz and Howe proposed the name ‘Meckel syndrome’.[6] The worldwide incidence of MGS varies from 1 in 13,250 to 1 in 140,000 live births.[7]

The highest incidence of 1 per 1,300 live births (carrier rate of 1 in 18) was reported in Gujarati Indians by Young et al. in Perinatal mortality survey for the years 1976 to 1982. There is evidence which indicates that the gene frequency of Meckel's syndrome is particularly high in the Leicestershire Asian Hindu community originating from the Gujarat State in Western India.[8] The incidence is also high among Belgians and Bedouins in Kuwait (1 in 3,500 with a carrier rate of 1 in 30), Finnish population (1 in 9000 with a carrier rate of 1 in 50). Meckel-Gruber syndrome affects with equal incidence in males and females.

Review of literature [Table 1] reveals only ten neonates surviving beyond birth.[3,6,7,8,9,10,11,12] John D. Vince in 1998 first documented a Papua New Guinean family affected by Meckel-Gruber syndrome. Three babies in the family met diagnostic criteria for the syndrome but first two cases were not documented.[13] Mortality is 100%. There are only 2 reports of babies surviving beyond infancy. According to Ramadani, there is one report of a long survivor who died at the age of 28 months.[14] In 1995, Paavola reported another atypical case of a long survivor who died at 18 months of life.[2]

Table 1.

Reported cases of Meckel-Gruber syndrome

Meckel-Gruber syndrome inherits in families as autosomal recessive disease with a 25% chance of recurrence in each pregnancy. Although Meckel-Gruber syndrome has been reported commonly in consanguineous marriages, it is also known to occur in children from non-consanguineous marriages[15] suggesting that the single gene defect occurs more commonly in the latter population than mutant genes associated with other autosomal recessive disorders that are usually related with consanguineous marriages. It is mapped to 6 different loci in different chromosomes 17q21-24 (MGS1), 11q13 (MGS2), 8q21.3-q22.1 (MGS3), 12q21.31-q21.33 (MGS4), 16q12.2 (MGS5), and 4p15.3 (MGS6).[1] This mapping suggests genetic heterogeneity in Meckel-Gruber syndrome.

The major diagnostic criteria of MGS include at least 2 of these 3 classic manifestations, cystic renal dysplasia, occipital encephalocele or other anomalies of central nervous system and polydactyly (found in 100%, 90% and 83.3% respectively).[16,17] MGS is associated with many other anomalies, which form minimal diagnostic criteria and include facial abnormalities, ambiguous genitalia, cardiac septal defects, gastro intestinal anomalies like omphalocele and CNS abnormalities like agenesis of corpus callosum, Dandy-Walker cyst, Arnold-Chiari malformations. Perinatal diagnosis of MGS can be made by routine ultrasonic screening for fetal anomalies. MGS can be diagnosed as early as 14 weeks of gestation by ultrasound by characteristic findings of occipital encephalocele, polycystic kidneys and post axial polydactyly.[6] These findings are easier to pick on USG in early gestation; as later on it is difficult due to severe oligohydramnios. Measurement of alpha fetoprotein levels in maternal serum or amniotic fluid after 12 weeks of gestation may help to detect encephalocele or any neural tube defects.[18]

In an autopsy review of 9 cases, Blankenberg concluded that following hepatic lesions are consistent features like arrested development of the intrahepatic biliary system, reactive bile duct proliferation, bile duct dilatation, portal fibrosis and vascular obliteration.[9] Meticulous autopsy in the suspected cases is necessary to establish the diagnosis of various possible anomalies associated with this syndrome.

Meckel-Gruber syndrome is a lethal disorder. Most infants are stillborn or die within few hours or days after birth. A few sometimes survive for few months with poor quality of life. The high mortality and morbidity is due to non functional kidneys, liver and pulmonary hypoplasia. The parents can be counseled about the outcome and prognosis of the fetus and recurrence risk for the next pregnancy. Fetal autopsy is advised to establish the correct diagnosis.

Conclusion

Meckel-Gruber syndrome is a lethal and rare autosomal recessive condition characterized by occipital encephalocele, polycystic kidneys and post axial polydactyly. Counseling forms an integral part of management especially about the recurrence risk of subsequent pregnancies. Our aim of this review is to enhance the knowledge and spread awareness about this rare and lethal anomaly.