Clinical Description
DDX3X-related neurodevelopmental disorder (DDX3X-NDD) typically occurs in females and rarely in males. DDX3X-NDD in both females and males is associated with a broad spectrum of clinical features with variable expression and severity. Table 2 presents the most common clinical characteristics observed in the three largest cohorts of females with DDX3X-NDD observed to date comprising a total of 149 unique individuals [Snijders Blok et al 2015, Wang et al 2018, Lennox et al 2020]. Note that data from individuals included in more than one report were removed. Data from four smaller reports are included in the discussion following Table 2 [Kellaris et al 2018, Beal et al 2019, Nicola et al 2019, Scala et al 2019].
Characteristics typically present are intellectual disability (ID), tone abnormalities, and associated feeding difficulty, joint laxity, and scoliosis. Other common features include ophthalmologic abnormalities, hearing loss, congenital heart defects, and respiratory difficulties. Neuroblastoma has been observed in three individuals, all of whom presented early in life and responded favorably to treatment.
Table 2.
Clinical Findings in Females with DDX3X-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder
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Finding | Report 1 [Snijders Blok et al 2015] | Report 2 [Wang et al 2018] | Report 3 [Lennox et al 2020] |
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DD/ID | 38/38 (100%) | 28/28 (100%) | 84/84 (100%) |
Behavior issues | 20/38 (53%) | 6/28 (21%) | See footnote 1. |
Hypotonia | 29/38 (76%) | 19/28 (68%) | 66/83 (80%) |
Hypertonia alone or a mixture of hyper- & hypotonia | See footnote 2. | 2/12 (17%) | 38/83 (46%) |
Epilepsy/seizures | 6/38 (16%) | NA | 17/83 (20%) |
Movement disorders | 17/38 (45%) 2 | 17/28 (61%) | 18/83 (22%) |
Microcephaly | 12/38 (32%) | 7/28 (25%) | 25/74 (34%) |
Vision issues | 13/38 (34%) | 9/28 (32%) | 32/82 (39%) |
Respiratory | NA | 5/28 (18%) | NA |
Congenital heart abnormalities | NA | 5/7 3 (71%) | 11/82 (13%) |
Skeletal (scoliosis) | 4/38 (11%) | NA | 8/82 (10%) |
Hearing impairment | 3/38 (8%) | NA | 4/78 (5%) |
Precocious puberty | 5/38 (13%) | NA | 7/82 (9%) |
Cleft lip/palate/uvula | 3/38 (8%) | NA | NA |
Note: Some overlap of participants exists in the three reported cohorts; to address the overlap, cohort 1 has been reported in its entirety and the overlaps subtracted from cohorts 2 and 3. One male overlaps in Reports 1 and 2, but (being male) is not counted in the table. Twenty of the 104 females in Report 3 were previously reported.
DD = developmental delay; ID = intellectual disability; NA = not applicable (not specified or reported in the study)
- 1.
In Lennox et al [2020], 49 children were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) self-reported by parents. The mean CBCL was 58.3, with a SD of 10 – significantly different from neurotypical controls, p<0.001.
- 2.
- 3.
Evaluated by echocardiogram
DDX3X-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder in Females
Developmental delay/disability. All females with DDX3X-NDD reported to date (within the limits of ascertainment) likely meet criteria for ID (or developmental delays when too young for the diagnosis of a disability), ranging from mild to severe [Snijders Blok et al 2015, Wang et al 2018, Lennox et al 2020].
Systematic IQ testing has not been published for females with DDX3X-NDD, so in most instances the term ID is inferentially chosen from parentally reported delayed milestones. In one report four categories were identified: 10/38 individuals with mild or moderate ID, 10/38 with moderate or moderate to severe ID, 15/38 with severe ID, and 3/38 with developmental delay (DD) who were younger than age five years [Snijders Blok et al 2015].
In another study, in which the parents of 53 affected girls used the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS) to self-report their child's adaptive behavioral skills, the mean composite standard score was 56.6, which is significantly below the mean score of 100 (standard deviation: 15) in the neurotypical population.
In addition, affected individuals with polymicrogyria (PMG) were more delayed developmentally, with an average VABS of 43.8 versus 57.5 in those without PMG (p<0.05) [Lennox et al 2020].
Speech-language delays or disorders are common: After age five years, 52% of females with DDX3X-NDD were nonverbal [Lennox et al 2020]. While a systematic review of progression of milestones has not been reported, in one report a female age 47 years was reported to have learned to sit at age two years, walk at age eight years, and say simple words [Wang et al 2018]. Data on the use of sign language or alternative communication methods have not been reported.
Behavioral issues include autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and hyperactivity, self-injurious behavior, poor impulse control, aggression, and other inappropriate behaviors [Snijders Blok et al 2015, Wang et al 2018, Lennox et al 2020]. In one study of 42 individuals, scores on the Social Communication Questionnaire completed by parents/caregivers indicated that 67% were above the at-risk threshold for ASD [Lennox et al 2020].
Tone abnormalities included either isolated hypotonia or a mixture of hypertonia and hypotonia in which truncal tone is lower and limb tone is increased.
Movement disorders are present at a young age and can include dyskinesia, ataxia, and dystonia, sometimes expressed as a stiff-legged or wide-based gait. One female was reported to have striking dystonic episodes [Beal et al 2019].
Seizure types include myoclonic-atonic seizures (episodes of brief shock-like jerks of a muscle or group of muscles as well as drop attacks), infantile spasms, focal partial seizures, or generalized absence spells. Seizures are more common in females with polymicrogyria [Lennox et al 2020].
Microcephaly is more frequent in persons with polymicrogyria (6/9) [Lennox et al 2020], nearly all of whom had an occipital frontal circumference two to three standard deviations below the mean.
Ophthalmologic findings include refractive errors, cortical visual impairment, optic atrophy, coloboma (type not specified in 4/92 individuals in Lennox et al), nystagmus, and strabismus (25/92, or 27%) [Wang et al 2018, Lennox et al 2020].
Respiratory findings can include obstructive sleep apnea, tachypnea, and chronic respiratory failure [Wang et al 2018].
Cardiac abnormalities, in addition to those included in Table 2, include atrial septal defect (ASD), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and patent foramen ovale (PFO) [Nicola et al 2019], ASD and ventricular septal defect (VSD) [Dikow et al 2017], and (in 1 of 6 females) a VSD [Beal et al 2019].
Skeletal. Scoliosis is likely secondary to hypotonia. In one report 37% (14/38) of individuals had joint laxity [Snijders Blok et al 2015].
Hearing impairment can be conductive, sensorineural, or both. Age of onset is unknown; whether hearing loss is progressive or not is unknown.
Precocious puberty (defined as onset of pubertal changes before age 8 years in girls and age 9 years in boys). While observed in a minority of females [Snijders Blok et al 2015, Lennox et al 2020], the real frequency may be higher, as both cohorts include females younger than the average age at which precocious puberty is observed.
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