New Genetic Mutations in a Chinese Child with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome-like Spondyloepimetaphyseal Dysplasia: A Case Report

Background: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) spinal deformity type 2 has clinical features similar to those of spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia with joint laxity, type 1 (SEMDJL1). They have similar clinical manifestations and a similar genetic basis, both of which can be caused by mutations in the gene. Hence, genetic screening and careful clinical examination are key to the differential diagnosis of these two diseases.

Case Presentation: A 4-month-old boy was admitted to our hospital in order to find the causes of developmental delay. The clinical examination revealed that the child was delayed, with an excessive range of motion of joints, patent foramen ovale, and was accompanied by skin aging; the child was suspected to have EDS. However, unlike EDS, the child had normal muscle tension, and at the same time had a spinal deformity, mild kyphosis, widened right hip joint space, as well as a special face, joint laxity, and slender fingers, which were typical characteristics of SEMDJL1. A gene analysis showed two suspicious mutations in the gene: c.808G > A(p.(G270S)) and c.942G > C(p.(W314C)), which were verified to be compound heterozygous mutations by analyzing genes in his parents. This mutation was not included in the HGMD, ClinVar, and other mutation databases, and thus was a newly discovered mutation.

Conclusion: Using the clinical and genetic analyses, this study reported a Chinese case with EDS-like SEMDJL1 for the first time. Two pathogenic mutations were discovered in the gene: c.808G > A(p.(G270S)) and c.942G > C(p.(W314C)).