Atelosteogenesis type 2

Synonyms

3

Overview

Atelosteogenesis type 2 (AO2, AO II) is a severe disorder of cartilage and bone development. Infants born with this condition have very short arms and legs, a narrow chest, and a prominent, rounded abdomen. This disorder is also characterized by an opening in the roof of the mouth (a cleft palate), distinctive facial features, an inward- and upward-turning foot (clubfoot), and unusually positioned thumbs (hitchhiker thumbs). However those that that survive birth die soon after from respiratory failure.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of atelosteogenesis type 2 include an opening in the roof of the mouth (a cleft palate), characteristic facial features, an inward- and upward-turning foot (clubfoot), and unusually positioned thumbs (hitchhiker thumbs). Atelosteogenesis type 2 causes serious health problems and infants with this disorder are usually stillborn or die soon after birth from respiratory failure. Some infants, however, have lived for a short time with intensive medical support.

• Narrow chest
• Short arms
• Short legs
• Dislocated limbs

Causes

Atelosteogenesis type 2 is one of several skeletal disorders caused by mutations in the SLC26A2 gene. This gene provides instructions for making a protein that is essential for the normal development of cartilage and for its conversion to bone. Cartilage is a tough, flexible tissue that makes up much of the skeleton during early development. Most cartilage is later converted to bone, except for the cartilage that continues to cover and protect the ends of bones and is present in the nose and external ears. Mutations in the SLC26A2 gene disrupt the structure of developing cartilage, preventing bones from forming properly and resulting in the skeletal problems characteristic of atelosteogenesis type 2.

Resources

• NIH
• Genetics Home Reference