Overview Of Nail Patella Syndrome
Nail Patella Syndrome is characterized by abnormalities of the nails, knees, elbows, and pelvis. The features of this condition vary in severity between affected individuals, even among members of the same family.
Nail abnormalities are seen in almost all individuals with nail patella syndrome. The nails may be absent or underdeveloped and discolored, split, ridged, or pitted. The fingernails are more likely to be affected than the toenails, and the thumbnails are usually the most severely affected. In many people with this condition, the areas at the base of the nails (lunulae) are triangular instead of the usual crescent shape.
Individuals with nail patella syndrome also commonly have skeletal abnormalities involving the knees, elbows, and hips. The kneecaps (patellae) are small, irregularly shaped, or absent, and dislocation of the patella is common. Some people with this condition may not be able to fully extend their arms or turn their palms up while keeping their elbows straight. The elbows may also be angled outward (cubitus valgus) or have abnormal webbing. Many individuals with nail patella syndrome have horn-like outgrowths of the iliac bones of the pelvis (iliac horns). These abnormal projections may be felt through the skin, but they do not cause any symptoms and are usually detected on a pelvic x-ray. Iliac horns are very common in people with this condition and are rarely, if ever, seen in people without.
Other areas of the body may also be affected by nail patella syndrome, particularly the eyes and kidneys. Individuals with this condition are at risk of developing increased pressure within the eyes (glaucoma) at an early age. Some people develop kidney disease, which can progress to kidney failure.
Commonly Associated With
- Fong disease
- hereditary onycho-osteodysplasia
- hereditary osteo-onychodysplasia
- Osterreicher syndrome
- pelvic horn syndrome
- Turner-Kieser syndrome
Causes Of Nail Patella Syndrome
Mutations in the LMX1B gene cause nail patella syndrome. The LMX1B gene provides instructions for producing a protein that attaches (binds) to specific regions of DNA and regulates the activity of other genes. On the basis of this role, the LMX1B protein is called a transcription factor. The LMX1B protein appears to be particularly important during the early embryonic development of the limbs, kidneys, and eyes. Mutations in the LMX1B gene lead to the production of an abnormally short, nonfunctional protein or affect the protein’s ability to bind to DNA. It is unclear how mutations in the LMX1B gene lead to the signs and symptoms of this condition.
Other
The prevalence of nail patella syndrome is estimated to be 1 in 50,000 individuals. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder. In most cases, an affected person inherits the mutation from one affected parent. Other cases may result from new mutations in the LMX1B gene. These cases occur in people with no history of the disorder in their families.
