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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/oculofaciocardiodental-syndrome/

Oculofaciocardiodental syndrome

Description

Oculofaciocardiodental (OFCD) syndrome is a condition that affects the development of the eyes (oculo-), facial features (facio-), heart (cardio-) and teeth (dental). This condition occurs only in females.

The eye abnormalities associated with OFCD syndrome can affect one or both eyes. Many people with this condition are born with eyeballs that are abnormally small (microphthalmia). Other eye problems can include clouding of the lens (cataract) and a higher risk of glaucoma, an eye disease that increases the pressure in the eye. These abnormalities can lead to vision loss or blindness.

People with OFCD syndrome often have a long, narrow face with distinctive facial features, including deep-set eyes and a broad nasal tip that is divided by a cleft. Some affected people have an opening in the roof of the mouth called a cleft palate.

Heart defects are another common feature of OFCD syndrome. Babies with this condition may be born with a hole between two chambers of the heart (an atrial or ventricular septal defect) or a leak in one of the valves that controls blood flow through the heart (mitral valve prolapse).

Teeth with very large roots (radiculomegaly) are characteristic of OFCD syndrome. Additional dental abnormalities can include delayed loss of primary (baby) teeth, missing or abnormally small teeth, misaligned teeth, and defective tooth enamel.

Frequency

OFCD syndrome is very rare; the incidence is estimated to be less than 1 in 1 million people.

Causes

Mutations in the BCOR gene cause OFCD syndrome. The BCOR gene provides instructions for making a protein called the BCL6 corepressor. This protein helps regulate the activity of other genes. Little is known about the protein's function, although it appears to play an important role in early embryonic development. Several mutations in the BCOR gene have been found in people with OFCD syndrome. These mutations prevent the production of any functional protein from the altered gene, which disrupts the normal development of the eyes and several other organs and tissues before birth.

Learn more about the gene associated with Oculofaciocardiodental syndrome

Inheritance

This condition is inherited in an X-linked dominant pattern. The gene associated with this condition is located on the X chromosome, which is one of the two sex chromosomes. In females (who have two X chromosomes), a mutation in one of the two copies of the gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder. Some cells produce a normal amount of BCL6 corepressor protein and other cells produce none. The resulting overall reduction in the amount of this protein leads to the signs and symptoms of OFCD syndrome.

In males (who have only one X chromosome), mutations result in a total loss of the BCL6 corepressor protein. A lack of this protein appears to be lethal very early in development, so no males are born with OFCD syndrome.

Other Names for This Condition

  • MCOPS2
  • Microphthalmia, cataracts, radiculomegaly, and septal heart defects
  • Microphthalmia, syndromic 2
  • Oculo-facio-cardio-dental syndrome
  • OFCD syndrome

Additional Information & Resources

Genetic Testing Information

Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center

Patient Support and Advocacy Resources

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Scientific Articles on PubMed

References

  • Gorlin RJ, Marashi AH, Obwegeser HL. Oculo-facio-cardio-dental (OFCD) syndrome. Am J Med Genet. 1996 May 3;63(1):290-2. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1096-8628(19960503)63:13.0.CO;2-G. Citation on PubMed
  • Hedera P, Gorski JL. Oculo-facio-cardio-dental syndrome: skewed X chromosome inactivation in mother and daughter suggest X-linked dominant Inheritance. Am J Med Genet A. 2003 Dec 15;123A(3):261-6. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.20444. Citation on PubMed
  • Horn D, Chyrek M, Kleier S, Luttgen S, Bolz H, Hinkel GK, Korenke GC, Riess A, Schell-Apacik C, Tinschert S, Wieczorek D, Gillessen-Kaesbach G, Kutsche K. Novel mutations in BCOR in three patients with oculo-facio-cardio-dental syndrome, but none in Lenz microphthalmia syndrome. Eur J Hum Genet. 2005 May;13(5):563-9. doi: 10.1038/sj.ejhg.5201391. Citation on PubMed
  • McGovern E, Al-Mudaffer M, McMahon C, Brosnahan D, Fleming P, Reardon W. Oculo-facio-cardio-dental syndrome in a mother and daughter. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2006 Nov;35(11):1060-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ijom.2006.05.001. Epub 2006 Jul 10. Citation on PubMed
  • Ng D, Thakker N, Corcoran CM, Donnai D, Perveen R, Schneider A, Hadley DW, Tifft C, Zhang L, Wilkie AO, van der Smagt JJ, Gorlin RJ, Burgess SM, Bardwell VJ, Black GC, Biesecker LG. Oculofaciocardiodental and Lenz microphthalmia syndromes result from distinct classes of mutations in BCOR. Nat Genet. 2004 Apr;36(4):411-6. doi: 10.1038/ng1321. Epub 2004 Mar 7. Citation on PubMed
  • Schulze BR, Horn D, Kobelt A, Tariverdian G, Stellzig A. Rare dental abnormalities seen in oculo-facio-cardio-dental (OFCD) syndrome: three new cases and review of nine patients. Am J Med Genet. 1999 Feb 19;82(5):429-35. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1096-8628(19990219)82:53.0.co;2-s. Citation on PubMed
  • Tsukawaki H, Tsuji M, Kawamoto T, Ohyama K. Three cases of oculo-facio-cardio-dental (OFCD) syndrome. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2005 Sep;42(5):467-76. doi: 10.1597/04-089r.1. Citation on PubMed

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.