Retinitis pigmentosa-juvenile cataract-short stature-intellectual disability syndrome

What it is

From: Orphanet

A rare, genetic, syndromic rod-cone dystrophy disorder characterized by psychomotor developmental delay from early childhood, intellectual disability, short stature, mild facial dysmorphism (e.g. upslanted palpebral fissures, hypoplastic alae nasi, malar hypoplasia, attached earlobes), excessive dental spacing and malocclusion, juvenile cataract and ophthalmologic findings of atypical retinitis pigmentosa (i.e. salt-and-pepper retinopathy, attenuated retinal arterioles, generalized rod-cone dysfunction, mottled macula, peripapillary sparing of retinal pigment epithelium).

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 facial shape · Very frequent (99-80%)

An abnormal morphology (form) of the face or its components.

Global developmental delay · Very frequent (99-80%)

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.

Intellectual disability, moderate · Very frequent (99-80%)

Moderate intellectual disability (ID) is defined as a type of ID characterized by moderately sub-average adaptive functioning and intellectual functioning, with an intelligence quotient (IQ) the range of 35-49.

Juvenile cataract · Very frequent (99-80%)

A type of cataract that is not apparent at birth but that arises in childhood or adolescence.

Progressive visual loss · Very frequent (99-80%)

A reduction of previously attained ability to see.

Rod-cone dystrophy · Very frequent (99-80%)

An inherited retinal disease subtype in which the rod photoreceptors appear to be more severely affected than the cone photoreceptors. Typical presentation is with nyctalopia (due to rod dysfunction) followed by loss of mid-peripheral field of vision, which gradually extends and leaves many patients with a small central island of vision due to the preservation of macular cones.

Short stature · Very frequent (99-80%)

A height below that which is expected according to age and gender norms. Although there is no universally accepted definition of short stature, many refer to "short stature" as height more than 2 standard deviations below the mean for age and gender (or below the 3rd percentile for age and gender dependent norms).

Underdeveloped nasal alae · Very frequent (99-80%)

Thinned, deficient, or excessively arched ala nasi.

Progressive night blindness · Very frequent (99-80%)

Attached earlobe · Frequent (79-30%)

Attachment of the lobe to the side of the face at the lowest point of the lobe without curving upward.

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.

Broad columella · Frequent (79-30%)

Increased width of the columella.

Constriction of peripheral visual field · Frequent (79-30%)

An absolute or relative decrease in retinal sensitivity extending from edge (periphery) of the visual field in a concentric pattern. The visual field is the area that is perceived simultaneously by a fixating eye.

Dental malocclusion · Frequent (79-30%)

Dental malocclusion refers to an abnormality of the occlusion, or alignment, of the teeth and the way the upper and lower teeth fit together, resulting in overcrowding of teeth or in abnormal bite patterns.

Other findings in the same source

From: Orphanet

Additional reported features include Diastema (Frequent (79-30%)); Incoordination (Frequent (79-30%)); Low-set ears (Frequent (79-30%)); Malar flattening (Frequent (79-30%)); Micrognathia (Frequent (79-30%)); Patchy atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (Frequent (79-30%)); Poor fine motor coordination (Frequent (79-30%)); Short neck (Frequent (79-30%)); Specific learning disability (Frequent (79-30%)); Upslanted palpebral fissure (Frequent (79-30%)). This is a selected summary, not a complete description of the condition.

When it may begin

From: Orphanet

Childhood

Inheritance in the source

From: Orphanet

Autosomal recessive

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.

Understanding the inheritance label

From: MedlinePlus Genetics

An autosomal recessive pattern usually involves disease-causing changes in both copies of a gene. Parents may each carry one altered copy without having the condition themselves. A genetic counsellor can explain carrier testing and reproductive implications using the actual laboratory findings, rather than the condition name alone.

Which doctor should you see?

The suggested department for discussing Retinitis pigmentosa-juvenile cataract-short stature-intellectual disability syndrome is Ophthalmology, with a ophthalmologist as the relevant type of clinician. Ophthalmologist; paediatric services for children as appropriate.

Additional services that may be relevant, depending on the findings, include: Clinical Genetics.

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.

• Which part of the eye or visual pathway is affected?
• What change in vision requires immediate contact with the eye service?
• What are the aims and alternatives of any proposed eye treatment?

Treatment discussions and follow-up

The material gathered for this draft does not provide a complete condition-specific treatment pathway for Retinitis pigmentosa-juvenile cataract-short stature-intellectual disability 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.