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Cat Eye Syndrome

Cat eye syndrome (CES) is characterized clinically by the combination of coloboma of the iris and anal atresia with fistula, downslanting palpebral fissures, preauricular tags and/or pits, frequent occurrence of heart and renal malformations, and normal or near-normal mental development

Prevalence

1 / 100 000

1–9 per 100,000

US Estimated

Similar to US

Europe Estimated

Age of Onset

Congenital

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ICD-10

Q92.4

Inheritance Pattern

Autosomal dominant

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Autosomal recessive

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Mitochondrial/Multigenic

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X-linked dominant

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X-linked recessive

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Rare View

Cat Eye Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder caused by an abnormal extra chromosome, typically involving chromosome 22. This condition can affect multiple parts of the body, with symptoms varying widely among individuals.

 

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5 Facts you should know

FACT

1

A chromosome abnormality that affects many different parts of the body

FACT

2

Clinical and phenotypic features are variable, and neurologic disturbance with delays of mental, psychologic, and motor development may be present

FACT

3

It is characterized clinically by the combination of coloboma of the iris and anal atresia with fistula, downslanting palpebral fissures, preauricular tags and/or pits, and frequent occurrence of heart and renal malformations

FACT

4

Cat eye syndrome is a rare genetic disease, characterized by modifications of chromosome 22 (partial trisomy or tetrasomy)

FACT

5

Life expectancy in cat eye syndrome (also known as Schmid-Fraccaro syndrome) depends on the number and variety of malformations, but in most cases the prognosis is favorable

Cat Eye Syndrome is also known as...

Cat Eye Syndrome is also known as:

  • Schmid-Fraccaro syndrome
  • CES
  • Chromosome 22 partial tetrasomy

What’s your Rare IQ?

Regarding chromosomal abnormalities in Cat Eye Syndrome, which feature sets it apart?

Common signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary widely and may include

Ocular

  • Iris coloboma (often vertical, “cat-eye” appearance)
  • Microphthalmia

Craniofacial

  • Preauricular tags or pits
  • Downslanting palpebral fissures
  • Facial asymmetry

Cardiac

  • Congenital heart defects (e.g., total anomalous pulmonary venous return, septal defects)

Gastrointestinal

  • Anal atresia or imperforate anus
  • Intestinal malformations

Renal

  • Kidney malformations
  • Hydronephrosis

Neurologic / Developmental

  • Developmental delay (variable)
  • Mild to moderate intellectual disability in some individuals

Current treatments

There is no cure for cat eye syndrome. Management is supportive and multidisciplinary

Organ-specific management

Surgical repair of cardiac, GI, ocular defects

Developmental support

Early intervention, speech/occupational therapy

Genetic counseling

References:

Schmid W, Fraccaro M. Partial trisomy 22: a new syndrome? Humangenetik. 1975;28(4):347–360. doi:10.1007/BF00275570 — Original description of the chromosomal abnormality now known as Cat Eye Syndrome. Bertini V, Riva D, Battini R, et al. Phenotype–genotype correlations in Cat Eye Syndrome with 22q11 duplications. Am J Med Genet A. 2004;129A(2):112–120. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.30312 — Expanded clinical and genetic characterization. Greenwood R, Hirschhorn K. Cat Eye Syndrome (partial tetrasomy 22q11): a review of clinical features and diagnostic considerations. J Med Genet. 1995;32(10):813–821. doi:10.1136/jmg.32.10.813 — Comprehensive review of clinical features and diagnostics. Zaghloul NA, Quarrell OW. Update on Cat Eye Syndrome: clinical and cytogenetic perspectives. Expert Rev Mol Med. 2018;20:e3. doi:10.1017/erm.2018.3 — Modern insights into cytogenetics and phenotype variability. McGinniss MJ, Crabtree JS, Holmes LB. Cardiac anomalies in Cat Eye Syndrome: prevalence and surgical outcomes. Am Heart J. 1999;138(5 Pt 1):911–917. doi:10.1016/S0002-8703(99)70173-7 — Analysis of major congenital anomalies in CES.