SOX10 mutation with peripheral amyelination and developmental disturbance of axons

Abstract

In this study we describe a case of a term infant with the neurological variant of Waardenburg syndrome type 4 (i.e., PCWH = peripheral demyelinating neuropathy, central dysmyelinating leukodystrophy, Waardenburg syndrome, and Hirschsprung disease, as defined in OMIM #609136) due to a novel heterozygous base exchange (c.671C>G) in exon 4 of SOX10. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested central myelin deficiency with cerebral and cerebellar hypoplasia. Hirschsprung disease was confirmed by rectal biopsy. Sural nerve biopsy revealed hypoplasia due to amyelination (with the exception of a single, small myelinated fiber) and severe reduction in the number of axons.