Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) is a rare genetic disorder, leading to the defect of neurogenic brain development. Individuals with MCPH reveal reduced head circumference and intellectual disability. Several MCPH loci have been identified from several populations. Genetic heterogeneity of this disorder represents molecular testing challenge. An 8 yr old female, born from consanguineous parents, was attended to Fardis Central Lab, Alborz, Iran. Based on the reduced circumference and intellectual disability, MCPH was diagnosed. Whole exome sequencing of the patient identified a novel homozygous frameshift mutation (c. 2738dupT, p. Cys914fs) in exon 9 Abnormal Spindle-like Microcephaly )ASPM( gene. By Sanger sequencing, segregation analysis showed that both parents were heterozygous carriers for this variant. The novel frameshift mutation likely truncates the protein, resulting in loss of normal function ASPM in homozygous mutation carriers. The study might add a new pathogenic variant in mutations of the ASPM gene as a causative variant in patients with MCPH and might be helpful in genetic counseling of consanguineous families.

Background: Barakat syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural deafness, and renal disease, collectively known as HDR syndrome. This disease is caused by the mutation of GATA3 gene located on chromosome 10p15. GATA3 is involved in the embryonic development of kidneys, inner ears, parathyroid glands, and central nervous systems. Case report: Herein, we presented a 20-month-old female with seizure and microcephaly, congenital left kidney dysplasia, hypoparathyroidism, and bilateral sensorineural deafness. Her laboratory tests were consistent with hypoparathyroidism, and the chromosomal study revealed a deletion in chromosome 10. The patient was diagnosed as a case of Barakat syndrome based on her clinical and laboratory tests. The microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization study of the patient was compatible with the monosomy of 10p15. 3p13 and trisomy of 12p13. 33p13. 33. Conclusion: It is important to be aware of rare inherited conditions like Barakat syndrome (HDR syndrome) in a patient with abnormal presentations, such as seizure, neurodevelopmental delay, kidney defects associated with hearing loss, and clinical abnormalities associated with hypoparathyroidism.

Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly; MCPH is a rare neurologically condition observed in new born at the birth. Most patients suffer from moderate to severe intellectual disability. In this review article, we introduce MCPH disorder; include all of the chromosomal locations, kind of MCPH genes and numbers of mutations, functional efficacy, how to identify the genes separately and diagnostic algorithm of articles and data base such as OMIM, HGMD. 23 locations genes (MCPH1-23) have been recognized causes primary microcephaly in different population, so far. Function of them is to correct orientation of mitosis spindles, duplication of DNA, organization and function of centrosome, transfer of vesicles, transcription regulation, response to DNA lesion, etc. According to investigations, MCPH in Iran and Pakistan population is common because of more consanguinity marriage. MCPH1 and MCPH5 genes are more common in Iran. Recent advances in molecular biological techniques and animal models have helped to identify the genetic cause of microcephaly and open up the horizons for researchers in the field, and also elucidating of the underlying molecular mechanisms will improve our understanding of the structure and function of the brain.

In this case report, we present the first diagnosed case of Galloway-Mowat syndrome in Iran. A 7 month old infant boy with microcephaly that had prominently stunted head growth after birth, gastroesophageal reflux, multiple craniofascial characters, hypothyroidism and nephrotic syndrome diagnosed at 5 months of age associated with rapid decline in renal function and heavy proteinuria in 2 months.

Objective:Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) is a neurodevelopmental and genetically heterogeneous disorder with decreased head circumference due to the abnormality in fetal brain growth. To date, nine loci and nine genes responsible for the situation have been identified. Mutations in the ASPM gene (MCPH5) is the most common cause of MCPH. The ASPM gene with 28 exons is essential for normal mitotic spindle function in embryonic neuroblasts.Materials d Methods:We have ascertained twenty-two consanguineous families with intellectual disability and different ethnic backgrounds from Iran. Ten out of twenty-two families showed primary microcephaly in clinical examination. We investigated MCPH5 locus using homozygosity mapping by microsatellite marker.Result:Sequence analysis of exon 8 revealed a deletion of nucleotide (T) in donor site of splicing site of ASPM in one family. The remaining nine families were not linked to any of the known loci .More investigation will be needed to detect the causative defect in these families.Conlusion:We detected a novel mutation in the donor splicing site of exon 8 of the ASPM gene. This deletion mutation can alter the ASPM transcript leading to functional impairment of the gene product.

Background and purpose: Microcephaly is reduced head circumference more than two standard deviation below the mean for the age and sex. Genetic microcephaly disorder is divided into two categories; isolated and syndromic microcephaly. The incidence of autosomal recessive primary microcephaly in consanguineous population is more than that in non-consanguineous population. So far, few studies are conducted on the common genes in microcephaly in Iran. The present study, reveals the necessity to study, and implementing programs for genetical and clinical prenatal diagnosis.Materials and methods: In this study, the records of more than 1500 families participating in genetic counseling (2003-2014 in Ahvaz Welfare Organization) were used. Depending on the type of disease and drawn pedigree, the frequency of isolated microcephaly was calculated among autosomal recessive patients. Data was analyzed applying Chi-square test.Results: Microcephaly and isolated microcephaly were observed in 5.51% and 3.29% of autosomal recessive patients, respectively. The risk of isolated microcephaly in non-Arab ethnic was 3.56 times more than the risk in Arab ethnic. The risk of isolated microcephaly in double first cousin and first cousin offspring was 4.44 times more than the risk of it in the first cousin once removed and other consanguineous marriages offsprings.Conclusion: Consultation for risk of isolated microcephaly is more necessary in non-Arab ethnic and in double first cousin and first cousin offspring.

Dear Editor: Zika virus infection is currently a global medical concern. The infection is already seen in many tropical countries and the main concern is the congenital microcephaly due to infection in pregnant mothers. It is believed that the direct viral invasion causes the neuropathology (1) and the involvement occurs in stem cells during the organogenesis phase (2). A recent study showed an interesting finding that “dengue virus sero-cross-reactivity drives antibody-dependent enhancement of infection with zika virus” (3). It was mentioned that the immuno-cross-reactivity to dengue was an important factor leading to congenital anomaly problems (3)…

Dear Editor-in-ChiefZika virus is an enveloped, positive-strand RNA flavivirus. It was first isolated in 1947 from the Zika forest of Uganda from a Rhesus macaque. After that for many years, it was not known whether the virus can cause human disease. The epidemiology of Zika virus changed since 2007 when an outbreak occurred on Yap Island of the Federated States of Micronesia....

Introduction: Lissencephaly, which literally means "smooth brain", is a brain formation disorder characterized by the lack of normal convolutions (folds) in the brain, and an abnormal small head size (microcephaly). It is caused by defective neuronal migration, the process in which nerve cells move from their place of origin to their permanent Location. The incidence is unknown. Manifestations occur in neonate or in childhood. There are multiple anomalies in eyes, heart, kidney and gastrointestinal system.In this study, we introduce a female neonate with poor feeding and microcephaly. The aim is to enhance the importance of diagnosis and to distinguish this disease from preventable diseases with similar manifestations.