Curry-Jones syndrome (CRJS) is a multisystem disorder characterized by patchy skin lesions, polysyndactyly, diverse cerebral malformations, unicoronal craniosynostosis, iris colobomas, microphthalmia, and intestinal malrotation with myofibromas or hamartomas (summary by Twigg et al., 2016).

Holoprosencephaly-9 refers to a disorder characterized by a wide phenotypic spectrum of brain developmental defects, with or without overt forebrain cleavage abnormalities. It usually includes midline craniofacial anomalies involving the first branchial arch and/or orbits, pituitary hypoplasia with panhypopituitarism, and postaxial polydactyly. The disorder shows incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity (summary by Roessler et al., 2003 and Bertolacini et al., 2012). For general phenotypic information and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of holoprosencephaly, see HPE1 (236100).

Holoprosencephaly (HPE) is the most commonly occurring congenital structural forebrain anomaly in humans. HPE is associated with mental retardation and craniofacial malformations. Considerable heterogeneity in the genetic causes of HPE has been demonstrated (Ming et al., 2002). For general phenotypic information and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of holoprosencephaly, see HPE1 (236100).

The Al-Awadi/Raas-Rothschild/Schinzel phocomelia syndrome (AARRS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by severe malformations of upper and lower limbs with severely hypoplastic pelvis and abnormal genitalia. The disorder is believed to represent a defect of dorsoventral patterning and outgrowth of limbs (summary by Kantaputra et al., 2010). Overlapping limb reduction syndromes, less severe in nature, that are also caused by homozygous mutation in the WNT7A gene include Fuhrmann syndrome (228930), characterized by fibular aplasia or hypoplasia, femoral bowing, and poly-, syn-, and oligodactyly, and Santos syndrome (228930), characterized by fibular agenesis/hypoplasia, oligodactylous clubfeet, and anonychia/nail hypoplasia. Al-Qattan et al. (2013) stated that AARRS and Fuhrmann syndrome can be differentiated by the following features, which are seen only in AARRS: complete aplasia of 1 or both lower limbs, and absent elbow with radiohumeral synostosis. In addition, the number of digits per hand is 1 to 3 in AARRS, whereas there are 4 to 5 digits in Fuhrmann syndrome. 'Phocomelia' refers to an intercalary limb defect with the hand or foot being directly attached to the humerus or femur (absent zeugopod) or directly attached to the trunk (absent stylopod and zeugopod). AlQattan et al. (2013) stated that the limb defect observed in Schinzel phocomelia syndrome represents 'true' phocomelia, whereas the limb defect in AARRS is an 'apparent' phocomelia, in which there is absent ulna with radiohumeral synostosis. The authors described 3 radiologic features that define 'apparent' phocomelia: a single arm/forearm bone that appears too long to be the humerus alone; a thicker cortex at the area of the radiohumeral synostosis, with or without slight angulation at the site of synostosis; and the apparently single bone resembling the humerus proximally and the radius distally. The authors also noted that phocomelia is not a feature of the allelic disorder Fuhrmann syndrome (228930). Other distinguishing features of Schinzel phocomelia syndrome include normal nails and dorsal hand skin; distoproximal gradient of lower limb defects, without a resultant stick-like appearance; and a characteristic large cranial defect. AlQattan et al. (2013) concluded that Schinzel phocomelia syndrome and AARRS are distinct phenotypes.

Classic Joubert syndrome (JS) is characterized by three primary findings: A distinctive cerebellar and brain stem malformation called the molar tooth sign (MTS). Hypotonia. Developmental delays. Often these findings are accompanied by episodic tachypnea or apnea and/or atypical eye movements. In general, the breathing abnormalities improve with age, truncal ataxia develops over time, and acquisition of gross motor milestones is delayed. Cognitive abilities are variable, ranging from severe intellectual disability to normal. Additional findings can include retinal dystrophy, renal disease, ocular colobomas, occipital encephalocele, hepatic fibrosis, polydactyly, oral hamartomas, and endocrine abnormalities. Both intra- and interfamilial variation are seen.

Orofaciodigital syndrome type VI (OFD6), or Varadi syndrome, is a rare autosomal recessive disorder distinguished from other orofaciodigital syndromes by metacarpal abnormalities with central polydactyly and by cerebellar abnormalities, including the molar tooth sign (summary by Doss et al., 1998 and Lopez et al., 2014).

Short-rib thoracic dysplasia (SRTD) with or without polydactyly refers to a group of autosomal recessive skeletal ciliopathies that are characterized by a constricted thoracic cage, short ribs, shortened tubular bones, and a 'trident' appearance of the acetabular roof. SRTD encompasses Ellis-van Creveld syndrome (EVC) and the disorders previously designated as Jeune syndrome or asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy (ATD), short rib-polydactyly syndrome (SRPS), and Mainzer-Saldino syndrome (MZSDS). Polydactyly is variably present, and there is phenotypic overlap in the various forms of SRTDs, which differ by visceral malformation and metaphyseal appearance. Nonskeletal involvement can include cleft lip/palate as well as anomalies of major organs such as the brain, eye, heart, kidneys, liver, pancreas, intestines, and genitalia. Some forms of SRTD are lethal in the neonatal period due to respiratory insufficiency secondary to a severely restricted thoracic cage, whereas others are compatible with life (summary by Huber and Cormier-Daire, 2012 and Schmidts et al., 2013). There is phenotypic overlap with the cranioectodermal dysplasias (Sensenbrenner syndrome; see CED1, 218330). For a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of short-rib thoracic dysplasia with or without polydactyly, see SRTD1 (208500).

Knobloch syndrome-1 (KNO1) is an autosomal recessive developmental disorder primarily characterized by typical eye abnormalities, including high myopia, cataracts, dislocated lens, vitreoretinal degeneration, and retinal detachment, with occipital skull defects, which can range from occipital encephalocele to occult cutis aplasia (summary by Aldahmesh et al., 2011). Genetic Heterogeneity of Knobloch Syndrome KNO2 (618458) is caused by mutation in the PAK2 gene (605022) on chromosome 3q29.