Diffuse mesangial sclerosis: association with unreported congenital anomalies and placental enlargement

Abstract

A case of diffuse mesangial sclerosis (DMS) associated with a number of undescribed congenital anomalies is reported. The occurrence of additional anomalies, especially ocular anomalies, is a common finding in DMS. However, neither megalocornea, Dandy-Walker malformation, postaxial hexadactyly, rocker-bottom feet, nor atrial septal defect, as observed in our patient, has been reported previously in association with DMS. This case might be considered an atypical manifestation of the Galloway-Mowat syndrome. In contrast to most cases of DMS, the patient revealed intrauterine proteinuria as the placenta was enlarged to 31% of birth weight. This case demonstrates that the large placenta, >25% of birth weight, is not only pathognomonic of the congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type but can also occur in DMS.