Seven Novel Variants of Weiss-Kruszka Syndrome and Phenotype Expansion

Abstract

Weiss-Kruszka syndrome (WKS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by metopic ridging, ptosis, arched eyebrows, down slanting palpebral fissures, abnormalities in the corpus callosum, cardiac malformations, and variable neurodevelopmental delay. To date, 32 individuals with a diagnosis of WKS have been reported in the literature. The syndrome is caused by a heterozygous pathogenic variant in the ZNF462 gene or a deletion of the 9p31.2 region involving ZNF462. There is significant phenotypic heterogeneity and intrafamilial variability among these patients. Our study reviewed nine patients from seven unrelated families and identified seven novel heterozygous ZNF462 variants through exome sequencing. GestaltMatcher analysis of our cohort's facial images, alongside previously published images of ZNF462 patients, demonstrated a high degree of facial similarity. Further longitudinal research is needed to delineate this rare condition's long-term health implications and adult-onset features.