Restricted Intrauterine Growth as a Guiding Symptom for Prenatal Genetic Diagnosis of Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome in Bicorial Diamniotic Twin Gestation

Abstract

Wolf Hirschhorn syndrome, also known as monosomy of the short arm of chromosome 4 (4p) or 4p-syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder first described in 1961 by doctors Cooper and Hirschhorn. The prevalence of this syndrome is extremely low, taking into account that the figure may be underestimated given the early gestational losses and the difficulty in prenatal diagnosis. The objective of the study is to present a clinical case of Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, presenting with multiple congenital morphological anomalies, as well as a neurological and intellectual retardation of variable degree. We report the case of a patient with a bicorial biamniotic twin gestation after a cycle of IVF-ICSI. The second twin was diagnosed with a Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, after performing the corresponding study due to a discordance of estimated weights and restricted intrauterine growth of this second fetus. The development of important craniofacial alterations, delay of normal prenatal and postnatal growth, and mental and intellectual deficiency of variable degree characterize the classic clinical presentation. Experts must make prenatal diagnosis. Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome can be suspected by a restricted intrauterine growth, as it occurs in 80-90 % of fetuses with this pathology. Once diagnosed, the genetic study of the parents is recommended, since up to 15 % of the parents can suffer a balanced chromosomal rearrangement in the short arm of chromosome 4.