Immunodeficiency-centromeric instability-facial anomalies syndrome

Immunodeficiency, centromeric instability and facial dysmorphism (ICF syndrome) is a genetically heterogeneous autosomal recessive disorder. It is characterized by recurrent and often fatal respiratory and gastrointestinal infections as a consequence of hypogammaglobulinemia in the presence of B cells. Nearly all patients also present with distinct facial anomalies. Centromeric instability is the cytogenetic hallmark of ICF syndrome. Mutations in the DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) gene account for about 50% of ICF cases, while about 30% of cases have mutations in the ZBTB24 gene. Recently, it has been reported that mutations in CDCA7 and HELLS cause ICF syndrome.