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Disease Profile

Roberts syndrome

Prevalence
Prevalence estimates on Rare Medical Network websites are calculated based on data available from numerous sources, including US and European government statistics, the NIH, Orphanet, and published epidemiologic studies. Rare disease population data is recognized to be highly variable, and based on a wide variety of source data and methodologies, so the prevalence data on this site should be assumed to be estimated and cannot be considered to be absolutely correct.

Unknown

US Estimated

Europe Estimated

Age of onset

Neonatal

ICD-10

Q73.8

Inheritance

Autosomal dominant A pathogenic variant in only one gene copy in each cell is sufficient to cause an autosomal dominant disease.

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Autosomal recessive Pathogenic variants in both copies of each gene of the chromosome are needed to cause an autosomal recessive disease and observe the mutant phenotype.

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X-linked
dominant X-linked dominant inheritance, sometimes referred to as X-linked dominance, is a mode of genetic inheritance by which a dominant gene is carried on the X chromosome.

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X-linked
recessive Pathogenic variants in both copies of a gene on the X chromosome cause an X-linked recessive disorder.

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Mitochondrial or multigenic Mitochondrial genetic disorders can be caused by changes (mutations) in either the mitochondrial DNA or nuclear DNA that lead to dysfunction of the mitochondria and inadequate production of energy.

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Multigenic or multifactor Inheritance involving many factors, of which at least one is genetic but none is of overwhelming importance, as in the causation of a disease by multiple genetic and environmental factors.

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Not applicable

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Other names (AKA)

SC phocomelia syndrome (mild variant of Roberts syndrome); Roberts-SC phocomelia syndrome; Roberts tetraphocomelia syndrome;

Categories

Congenital and Genetic Diseases; Ear, Nose, and Throat Diseases; Eye diseases;

Summary

Roberts syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by limb and facial abnormalities. Affected individuals are born with abnormalities of all four limbs and typically have shortened arm and leg bones (hypomelia). They may also have phocomelia (in severe cases); abnormal or missing fingers and toes; joint deformities (contractures); and numerous facial abnormalities including cleft lip with or without cleft palate; micrognathia; ear abnormalities; hypertelorism; down-slanting palpebral fissures; small nostrils; and a beaked nose. Microcephaly, intellectual disability, and heart, kidney or genital abnormalities may also be present. Infants with a severe form of Roberts syndrome are often stillborn or die shortly after birth, while mildly affected individuals may live into adulthood. It is caused by mutations in the ESCO2 gene and is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern.[1]

Symptoms

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
80%-99% of people have these symptoms
Aplasia/Hypoplasia of the thumb
Absent/small thumb
Absent/underdeveloped thumb

[ more ]

0009601
Bowing of the long bones
Bowed long bones
Bowing of long bones

[ more ]

0006487
Brachycephaly
Short and broad skull
0000248
Clinodactyly of the 5th finger
Permanent curving of the pinkie finger
0004209
Complete duplication of thumb phalanx
Complete duplication of thumb bones
0009943
Hypertelorism
Wide-set eyes
Widely spaced eyes

[ more ]

0000316
Hypoplasia of the radius
Underdeveloped outer large forearm bone
0002984
Malar flattening
Zygomatic flattening
0000272
Mesomelic arm shortening
0005011
Microcephaly
Abnormally small skull
Decreased circumference of cranium
Decreased size of skull
Reduced head circumference
Small head circumference

[ more ]

0000252
Phocomelia
0009829
Postnatal growth retardation
Growth delay as children
0008897
Proximal placement of thumb
Attachment of thumb close to wrist
0009623
Radial deviation of finger
0009466
Severe intrauterine growth retardation
Severe prenatal growth deficiency
0008846
Sparse hair
0008070
Underdeveloped nasal alae
Underdeveloped tissue around nostril
0000430
30%-79% of people have these symptoms
Abnormality of cardiovascular system morphology
0030680
Absent earlobe
Earlobe, absent
Lobeless ears

[ more ]

0000387
Brachydactyly
Short fingers or toes
0001156
Cataract
Clouding of the lens of the eye
Cloudy lens

[ more ]

0000518
Cleft palate
Cleft roof of mouth
0000175
Cleft upper lip
Harelip
0000204
Clitoral hypertrophy
Enlarged clitoris
0008665
Cryptorchidism
Undescended testes
Undescended testis

[ more ]

0000028
External ear malformation
0008572
Global developmental delay
0001263
Intellectual disability
Mental deficiency
Mental retardation
Mental retardation, nonspecific
Mental-retardation

[ more ]

0001249
Long penis
Enlarged penis
0000040
Micrognathia
Little lower jaw
Small jaw
Small lower jaw

[ more ]

0000347
Midface capillary hemangioma
0007452
Premature birth
Premature delivery of affected infants
Preterm delivery

[ more ]

0001622
Proptosis
Bulging eye
Eyeballs bulging out
Prominent eyes
Prominent globes
Protruding eyes

[ more ]

0000520
Radioulnar synostosis
Fused forearm bones
0002974
Underdeveloped supraorbital ridges
Flattened bony protrusion above eyes
0009891
5%-29% of people have these symptoms
Bilateral single transverse palmar creases
0007598
Blue sclerae
Whites of eyes are a bluish-gray color
0000592
Craniosynostosis
0001363
Finger syndactyly
0006101
Glaucoma
0000501
High palate
Elevated palate
Increased palatal height

[ more ]

0000218
Knee flexion contracture
0006380
Microphthalmia
Abnormally small eyeball
0000568
Nystagmus
Involuntary, rapid, rhythmic eye movements
0000639
Patellar aplasia
Absent kneecap
0006443
Polycystic kidney dysplasia
0000113
Polyhydramnios
High levels of amniotic fluid
0001561
Progressive flexion contractures
0005876
Sandal gap
Gap between 1st and 2nd toes
Gap between first and second toe
Increased space between first and second toes
Sandal gap between first and second toes
Wide space between 1st, 2nd toes
Wide space between first and second toes
Wide-spaced big toe
Widely spaced 1st-2nd toes
Widely spaced first and second toes
Widened gap 1st-2nd toes
Widened gap first and second toe

[ more ]

0001852
Short neck
Decreased length of neck
0000470
Stillbirth
Stillborn
0003826
Synostosis of carpal bones
Fusion of wrist bones
0005048
Thrombocytopenia
Low platelet count
0001873
Wrist flexion contracture
0001239
Percent of people who have these symptoms is not available through HPO
Abnormality of the metacarpal bones
Abnormality of the long bone of hand
0001163
Accessory spleen
0001747
Ankle flexion contracture
0006466
Atrial septal defect
An opening in the wall separating the top two chambers of the heart
Hole in heart wall separating two upper heart chambers

[ more ]

0001631

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Roberts syndrome is suspected in individuals with the following:

  • Prenatal growth delay ranging from mild to severe. Average birth length and weight is typically below the third percentile in most affected infants.
  • Limb malformations including bilateral, symmetric tetraphocomelia (phocomelia of all 4 limbs) or hypomelia (underdevelopment of the limbs) caused by mesomelic shortening (shortening of the middle part of the limb). Upper limbs are typically more severely affected than lower limbs. Other limb malformations include oligodactyly with thumb aplasia (lack of formation) or hypoplasia (underdevelopment), syndactyly, clinodactyly, and elbow and knee flexion contractures (inability to fully straighten the arms and legs).
  • Craniofacial abnormalities including bilateral cleft lip and/or palate, micrognathia (small jaw), hypertelorism (widely-spaced eyes), exophthalmos (bulging eyes), downslanting palpebral fissures, malar hypoplasia (underdeveloped cheek bones), hypoplastic nasal alae, and ear malformations.

The diagnosis of Roberts syndrome relies on a cytogenetic blood test of individuals with the above features. Cytogenetic testing would show the characteristic chromosomal abnormalities that are present in individuals with the condition.[2]

Genetic testing is currently available for Roberts syndrome. GeneTests lists the names of laboratories that are performing genetic testing for Roberts syndrome. To view the contact information for the clinical laboratories conducting testing click here. To access the contact information for the research laboratories performing genetic testing, click here.

Please note: Most of the laboratories listed through GeneTests do not accept direct contact from patients and their families; therefore, if you are interested in learning more, you will need to work with a health care provider or a genetics professional.

Testing Resources

  • The Genetic Testing Registry (GTR) provides information about the genetic tests for this condition. The intended audience for the GTR is health care providers and researchers. Patients and consumers with specific questions about a genetic test should contact a health care provider or a genetics professional.

    Organizations

    Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

    Organizations Supporting this Disease

      Learn more

      These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

      Where to Start

      • Genetics Home Reference (GHR) contains information on Roberts syndrome. This website is maintained by the National Library of Medicine.
      • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.

        In-Depth Information

        • GeneReviews provides current, expert-authored, peer-reviewed, full-text articles describing the application of genetic testing to the diagnosis, management, and genetic counseling of patients with specific inherited conditions.
        • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
        • Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a catalog of human genes and genetic disorders. Each entry has a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 
        • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
        • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Roberts syndrome. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

          References

          1. Roberts syndrome. Genetics Home Reference. January 2009; https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/roberts-syndrome. Accessed 2/11/2011.
          2. Miriam Gordillo, Hugo Vega, Ethylin Wang Jabs. Roberts Syndrome. GeneReviews. April 14, 2009; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1153/. Accessed 2/11/2011.

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