Meckel-Gruber syndrome is a rare, lethal ciliopathic genetic disorder, characterized by renal cystic dysplasia, central nervous system malformations (occipital encephalocele), polydactyly (postaxial), hepatic developmental defects, and pulmonary hypoplasia due to oligohydramnios. Meckel–Gruber syndrome is named for Johann Meckel and Georg Gruber. In 2 recorded cases of MGS survival beyond infancy, they survived until 14 and 28 months.

Pathophysiology

Meckel–Gruber syndrome (MKS) is an autosomal recessive lethal malformation. Two MKS genes, MKS1 and MKS3, have been associated with the disorder. A study done recently has described the cellular, sub-cellular and functional characterization of the novel proteins, MKS1 and meckelin, encoded by these genes. The malfunction in the production of these proteins is mainly responsible for this lethal disorder.

Relation to other rare genetic disorders

Recent findings in genetic research have suggested that a large number phenotypically varying rare genetic disorders may share a common genotypical root cause. As Meckel–Gruber syndrome is a ciliopathy, it may be related to other known ciliopathies, such as primary ciliary dyskinesia, Bardet–Biedl syndrome, polycystic kidney and liver disease, nephronophthisis, Alström syndrome, and some forms of retinal degeneration. The MKS1 gene has been identified as being associated with ciliopathy.

Diagnosis

Dysplastic kidneys are prevalent in over 95% of all identified cases. When this occurs, microscopic cysts develop within the kidney and slowly destroy it, causing it to enlarge up to 10 or 20 times its original size. The level of amniotic fluid within the womb may be significantly altered or remain normal, and a normal level of fluid should not be criteria for exclusion of diagnosis. Occipital encephalocele is present in 60% to 80% of all cases, and postaxial polydactyly is present in 55% to 75% of the total number of identified cases. Bowing or shortening of the limbs are also common. Finding at least two of the three phenotypic features of the classical triad in the presence of normal karyotype indicates a high likelihood of Meckel-Gruber Syndrome. Regular ultrasounds and proactive prenatal care can usually detect symptoms early on in pregnancy.

Management

There is no cure for Meckel-Gruber syndrome. Treatment is limited to symptom management and palliative care.

Prognosis

The disease is lethal. Most infants that are not stillborn with Meckel-Gruber syndrome die within hours to days of birth due to renal failure and lung hypoplasia. The longest survival time reported in medical literature is 28 months.

Incidence

While not precisely known, it is estimated that the general rate of incidence, according to Bergsma, for Meckel-Gruber syndrome is 0.02 per 10,000 births. According to another study done six years later, the incidence rate could vary from 0.07 to 0.7 per 10,000 births. This syndrome is a Finnish heritage disease. Its frequency is much higher in Finland, where the incidence is as high as 1.1 per 10,000 births. It is estimated that Meckel-Gruber syndrome accounts for 5% of all neural tube defects there. The Leicestershire Perinatal Mortality Survey for the years 1976 to 1982 had found high incidence of Meckel-Gruber syndrome in Gujarati Indian immigrants.