A new autosomal recessive syndrome of ocular colobomas, ichthyosis, brain malformations and endocrine abnormalities in an inbred Emirati family

We report on an inbred Emirati family of Baluchi origin with ocular colobomas, ichthyosis, and endocrine abnormalities associated with midline brain malformations and mental retardation. All affected children had ocular colobomas, developmental delay and midline brain malformations. Hypoplastic pituitary gland was present in all three investigated children. Ichthyosiform dermatitis appeared in infancy in all surviving children. Other variable features include congenital heart defects, hypertrichosis and dark skin involving the dorsum of hands and feet associated with mild degree of palmo-plantar keratoderma. Some of the features in this family overlap the CHIME (Coloboma of the eye, Heart defect, Ichthyosiform dermatosis, Mental retardation, and Ear defect) syndrome. However, several features described in CHIME syndrome were not present in these children. These include deafness, seizures, oligodontia, and hair abnormalities. Some of the features in these children also overlap with septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) but optic-nerve hypoplasia, mandatory for the diagnosis of SOD, was present in one child only. We suggest that these children have a new autosomal recessive syndrome of ocular colobomas and ichthyosis.