Prenatal diagnosis of Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa in nonidentical twins.

Abstract

Advances in molecular diagnostics have led to the feasibility of DNA-based prenatal testing in families at risk for recurrence of severe forms of both dystrophic and junctional epidermolysis bullosa. In this report, we describe prenatal testing in a woman who previously had a child affected with Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa. However, in her second pregnancy, she was found to have dichorionic diamniotic twins. DNA analysis of a pathogenic mutation and informative intragenic polymorphisms (LAMB3 gene) predicted one fetus to be affected and the other unaffected. Selective termination of the affected fetus was performed, and pregnancy with the unaffected fetus was continued, leading to full term delivery of a healthy girl with no skin blisters. This is the first reported case of DNA analysis in a twin pregnancy at risk of Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa, with successful diagnosis and selective termination of one affected twin.

• Authors: H Fassihi, G H S Ashton, J Denyer, J E Mellerio, G Mason, J A McGrath
• Journal: Clinical and experimental dermatology (Clin Exp Dermatol) Vol. 30 Issue 2 Pg. 180-2 (Mar 2005) ISSN: 0307-6938 [Print] England
• PMID: 15725250 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adult
• Diseases in Twins (diagnosis, genetics)
• Epidermolysis Bullosa, Junctional (diagnosis, genetics)
• Female
• Fetal Diseases (diagnosis, genetics)
• Humans
• Pedigree
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Reduction, Multifetal
• Prenatal Diagnosis (methods)