Marden-Walker syndrome: a case report and a critical review of the literature

Abstract

We present a patient with blepharophimosis, joint contractures, immobile facies, decreased muscular bulk, postnatal growth retardation, developmental delay, micrognathia, cleft palate, camptodactyly, arachnodactyly, pectus, kyphoscoliosis, hypospadias, and absent deep tendon reflexes. These findings are consistent with Marden-Walker syndrome (MWS). Twenty-two additional cases in the literature are reviewed. Diagnostic criteria are proposed, and the spectrum of variability is discussed. Evidence for autosomal recessive inheritance is reviewed as is the differential diagnosis. Possible pathogenetic mechanisms are considered.