Bladder exstrophy-epispadias complex and triple-X syndrome: incidental finding or causality?

Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2014 Oct;100(10):797-800. doi: 10.1002/bdra.23299. Epub 2014 Sep 8.

Abstract

Background: Bladder exstrophy is a rare malformation. Prenatal diagnosis is usually an incidental finding on routine ultrasound examination. Triple-X syndrome (karyotype 47,XXX) is the most frequent sex chromosome aneuploidy in live-born females (approximately 1 in 1000). The diagnosis is often not made because women with 47,XXX karyotype have no or hardly any clinical symptoms during life.

Methods: Prenatal diagnosis of triple X karyotype is usually an incidental finding when an invasive prenatal diagnosis is performed for other reasons.

Results: Here, we report on two cases with bladder exstrophy and triple-X syndrome, one in a fetus and one in an adult. In view of two previous reports of this association in literature, causality of these two conditions should be considered.

Conclusion: A gene dosage effect as possible underlying mechanisms will be discussed.

Keywords: BEEC; bladder exstrophy; noninvasive prenatal testing; triple X; trisomy-X.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bladder Exstrophy / diagnostic imaging
  • Bladder Exstrophy / etiology
  • Bladder Exstrophy / genetics*
  • Chromosomes, Human, X / genetics
  • Epispadias / diagnostic imaging
  • Epispadias / etiology
  • Epispadias / genetics*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Fetus
  • Gene Dosage / genetics*
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Karyotyping
  • Sex Chromosome Aberrations
  • Sex Chromosome Disorders of Sex Development / complications
  • Sex Chromosome Disorders of Sex Development / genetics*
  • Trisomy / genetics*
  • Ultrasonography

Supplementary concepts

  • Bladder Exstrophy and Epispadias Complex
  • Triple X syndrome