Rapp-Hodgkin and Hay-Wells ectodermal dysplasia syndromes represent a variable spectrum of the same genetic disorder

Background: Rapp-Hodgkin syndrome (RHS) and Hay-Wells [also known as ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defects-cleft lip/palate (AEC)] syndrome have been designated as distinct ectodermal dysplasia syndromes despite both disorders having overlapping clinical features and the same mutated gene, TP63.

Objectives: To search for TP63 mutations in two unrelated cases of RHS and two of AEC syndrome and to review the TP63 mutation database and clinical descriptions of affected individuals, the goal being to refine genotype-phenotype correlation and to determine the clinical/molecular justification for RHS and AEC continuing to exist as separate entities.

Methods: Clinical examination of four affected cases and sequencing of genomic DNA using TP63-specific primers. Literature review of published clinical descriptions of RHS and AEC syndrome cases containing TP63 mutation data.

Results: Cases of RHS and AEC show considerable clinical overlap, particularly with regard to hypotrichosis and mid-face hypoplasia, and the clinical feature of ankyloblepharon in AEC is often subtle, transient and a poor distinguishing clinical sign. We identified two new and two recurrent heterozygous mutations in TP63: c.1456insA (p.Leu486fsX52), RHS; c.1537T>G (p.Phe513Val), RHS; c.1787delG (p.Gly596fsX68), AEC; and c.1682G>A (p.Gly561Asp), AEC. Including this study, 42 different mutations in TP63 in RHS and AEC have now been reported, three of which are exactly the same in both syndromes.

Conclusions: Our clinicopathological and molecular findings indicate that there is no justification for the continued use of eponyms in referring to these particular ectodermal dysplasia syndromes. We support the view that the terms ‘Hay-Wells’ and ‘Rapp-Hodgkin’ should be abandoned in favour of the all-inclusive diagnosis ‘AEC syndrome’, notwithstanding the inconsistency or often transient nature of the ankyloblepharon.