1. Expansion of the core features of VACTERL association to include genital anomalies.
- Author
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Forero LT, Henderson R, Galarreta C, Swee S, and Bird LM
- Subjects
- Humans, Male, Female, Adolescent, Adult, Retrospective Studies, Child, Young Adult, Child, Preschool, Urogenital Abnormalities epidemiology, Urogenital Abnormalities genetics, Urogenital Abnormalities diagnosis, Urogenital Abnormalities pathology, Infant, Anorectal Malformations epidemiology, Anorectal Malformations genetics, Anorectal Malformations diagnosis, Anorectal Malformations pathology, Genitalia abnormalities, Genitalia pathology, Anal Canal abnormalities, Anal Canal pathology, Limb Deformities, Congenital pathology, Limb Deformities, Congenital genetics, Limb Deformities, Congenital diagnosis, Limb Deformities, Congenital epidemiology, Esophagus abnormalities, Esophagus pathology, Spine abnormalities, Spine pathology, Trachea abnormalities, Trachea pathology, Heart Defects, Congenital pathology, Heart Defects, Congenital epidemiology, Heart Defects, Congenital genetics, Heart Defects, Congenital diagnosis, Kidney abnormalities, Kidney pathology
- Abstract
Genital anomalies have been reported with VACTERL association but not considered a core feature. Acute and chronic complications stemming from unrecognized genital anomalies have been reported in adolescents and young adults with VACTERL association. We sought to determine the frequency and severity of genital anomalies in VACTERL patients and identify which core features were more frequently associated with genital anomalies. A retrospective chart review from January 2010 to October 2021 identified 211 patients with two or more core VACTERL features, 34% of whom had a genital anomaly. The majority of genital anomalies (83% of those in males and 90% in females) were classified as functionally significant (requiring surgical intervention or causing functional impairment). The frequency of genital anomalies in the VACTERL cohort was higher if anorectal malformations or renal anomalies were present in both males and females and if vertebral anomalies were present in females. Due to their functional significance, genital anomalies should be assessed in all patients with two or more core features of VACTERL association, especially in those with anorectal or renal anomalies. Most genital anomalies in males will be detected on physical examination but additional investigation is often needed to detect genital anomalies in females. The timing and type of investigation are subjects for future study., (© 2024 The Authors. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)
- Published
- 2024
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