Palatal anomalies-widely spaced teeth-facial dysmorphism-developmental delay syndrome

What it is

From: Orphanet

Palatal anomalies-widely spaced teeth-facial dysmorphism-developmental delay syndrome is a rare, genetic multiple congenital anomalies/dysmorphic syndrome characterized by global developmental delay, axial hypotonia, palate abnormalities (including cleft palate and/or high and narrow palate), dysmorphic facial features (including prominent forehead, hypertelorism, downslanting palpebral fissures, wide nasal bridge, thin lips and widely spaced teeth), and short stature. Additional manifestations may include digital anomalies (such as brachydactyly, clinodactyly, and hypoplastic toenails), a single palmar crease, lower limb hypertonia, joint hypermobility, as well as ocular and urogenital anomalies.

Reported clinical features and what the terms mean

The following findings are associated with this condition in Orphanet. They are not a checklist for diagnosing yourself, and they do not all occur in every affected person. Some are examination, imaging or laboratory findings that cannot be recognised at home.

The frequency labels describe how often a finding was reported among people with the condition in the source. They do not give the chance that a person with that symptom has the condition. Definitions below reproduce HPO terminology; they explain the term, not the likely severity in an individual.

Abnormal palate morphology · Frequent (79-30%)

Any abnormality of the palate, i.e., of roof of the mouth.

Abnormality of canine · Frequent (79-30%)

An abnormality of canine tooth.

Brachydactyly · Frequent (79-30%)

Digits that appear disproportionately short compared to the hand/foot. The word brachydactyly is used here to describe a series distinct patterns of shortened digits (brachydactyly types A-E). This is the sense used here.

Delayed ability to walk · Frequent (79-30%)

A failure to achieve the ability to walk at an appropriate developmental stage. Most children learn to walk in a series of stages, and learn to walk short distances independently between 12 and 15 months.

Delayed speech and language development · Frequent (79-30%)

A degree of language development that is significantly below the norm for a child of a specified age.

Downslanted palpebral fissures · Frequent (79-30%)

The palpebral fissure inclination is more than two standard deviations below the mean.

Exotropia · Frequent (79-30%)

A form of strabismus with one or both eyes deviated outward.

Global developmental delay · Frequent (79-30%)

A delay in the achievement of motor or mental milestones in the domains of development of a child, including motor skills, speech and language, cognitive skills, and social and emotional skills. This term should only be used to describe children younger than five years of age.

Hypotonia · Frequent (79-30%)

Hypotonia is an abnormally low muscle tone (the amount of tension or resistance to movement in a muscle). Even when relaxed, muscles have a continuous and passive partial contraction which provides some resistance to passive stretching. Hypotonia thus manifests as diminished resistance to passive stretching. Hypotonia is not the same as muscle weakness, although the two conditions can co-exist.

Prominent forehead · Frequent (79-30%)

Forward prominence of the entire forehead, due to protrusion of the frontal bone.

Strabismus · Frequent (79-30%)

A misalignment of the eyes so that the visual axes deviate from bifoveal fixation. The classification of strabismus may be based on a number of features including the relative position of the eyes, whether the deviation is latent or manifest, intermittent or constant, concomitant or otherwise and according to the age of onset and the relevance of any associated refractive error.

Thin upper lip vermilion · Frequent (79-30%)

Height of the vermilion of the upper lip in the midline more than 2 SD below the mean. Alternatively, an apparently reduced height of the vermilion of the upper lip in the frontal view (subjective).

Wide nasal bridge · Frequent (79-30%)

Increased breadth of the nasal bridge (and with it, the nasal root).

Widely spaced teeth · Frequent (79-30%)

Increased spaces (diastemata) between most of the teeth in the same dental arch.

Other findings in the same source

From: Orphanet

Additional reported features include Anteverted nares (Occasional (29-5%)); Blue sclerae (Occasional (29-5%)); Cerebral white matter hypoplasia (Occasional (29-5%)); Chordee (Occasional (29-5%)); Clinodactyly of the 5th finger (Occasional (29-5%)); Clonus (Occasional (29-5%)); Colpocephaly (Occasional (29-5%)); Cryptorchidism (Occasional (29-5%)); Delayed myelination (Occasional (29-5%)); Enlarged cerebellum (Occasional (29-5%)). This is a selected summary, not a complete description of the condition.

When it may begin

From: Orphanet

Infancy; Neonatal

Inheritance in the source

From: Orphanet

Autosomal dominant; Not applicable

Frequency and the population described

From: Orphanet

Reported case(s): 3.0; Worldwide. This is a published case count, not prevalence. Point prevalence: <1 / 1 000 000; Worldwide; Class only.

Which doctor should you see?

The suggested department for discussing Palatal anomalies-widely spaced teeth-facial dysmorphism-developmental delay syndrome is Clinical Genetics, with a clinical geneticist as the relevant type of clinician. Paediatrician (children) or physician (adults), with clinical geneticist referral.

This is an editorial referral starting point. The appropriate clinic depends on the person’s age, symptoms, previous diagnosis and local services. The first clinician can decide whether another specialty or a team is needed; a department label does not confirm the diagnosis.

How to prepare for an assessment

Bring a short timeline of the main symptoms: when they first appeared, whether they are constant or episodic, what seems to change them, and how they affect daily activities. Include previous reports, discharge summaries, current medicines and supplements, allergies, and any relevant family history. A dated record is more useful than trying to match every feature in an online article.

Ask the clinician what is already established and what remains uncertain. If a test is suggested, ask what question it answers, what its limitations are and how the result would change the next step. The information here is not an instruction to arrange every possible test. In children, bring growth, developmental and school information if it is relevant to the concern.

• Does the exact genetic or chromosome finding explain the observed features?
• Would a genetic counsellor help the family understand the result?
• Which organ-specific assessments are appropriate for this particular diagnosis?

Treatment discussions and follow-up

The material gathered for this draft does not provide a complete condition-specific treatment pathway for Palatal anomalies-widely spaced teeth-facial dysmorphism-developmental delay syndrome. That gap does not mean that treatment is unavailable. A clinician needs to establish the diagnosis and review current guidance before recommending medicines, procedures, rehabilitation or other support.

Before leaving the appointment, clarify the next review date, who will communicate results, and whom to contact if the situation changes. Discuss difficulties with sleep, work, school, mobility, eating or emotional wellbeing when these are relevant. Practical support may require coordination between the treating clinician and other services.

The collected references do not establish a complete prevention or long-term outlook section for this entry. Missing information should not be interpreted as proof that prevention is impossible or that a particular outcome is inevitable. Ask what is known for the exact subtype, stage and personal circumstances, and which uncertainties remain.

When to seek emergency help

Severe breathing difficulty, collapse, new stroke-like symptoms, a seizure that is prolonged or repeated without recovery, uncontrolled major bleeding, or an immediate risk of self-harm require emergency help. In India, call 112 or reach the nearest emergency department. This is a general, non-exhaustive warning list; it is not a condition-specific triage tool.