Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome 

  • Author: Robert D Steiner, MD; Chief Editor: Bruce Buehler, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jul 12, 2011
 

Background

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is a multiple congenital anomalies (MCA)/mental retardation (MR) syndrome caused by a defect in cholesterol synthesis. Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome is an autosomal recessive genetic condition caused by deficiency of the enzyme 3 beta-hydroxysterol-delta 7-reductase (7-dehydrocholesterol-delta 7-reductase [DHCR7] EC 1.3.1.21), the final enzyme in the sterol synthetic pathway that converts 7-dehydrocholesterol (7DHC) to cholesterol.

Affected individuals usually have low plasma cholesterol levels and invariably have elevated levels of cholesterol precursors, including 7DHC. Severely affected individuals (those with the condition formerly referred to as Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome type II) have multiple congenital malformations and are often miscarried or stillborn or die in the first weeks of life. Dysmorphic facial features, microcephaly, second-toe and third-toe syndactyly, other malformations, and MR are typical. Mildly affected individuals may have only subtle dysmorphic features and learning and behavioral disabilities.

See the image below.

Child with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. Child with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome.
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Pathophysiology

The classic paradigm for the pathogenesis of an inborn error of metabolism includes the accumulation of a toxic precursor and/or deficiency of an essential product as a result of an enzyme deficiency. In the case of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome, the precursor 7DHC is potentially toxic in large concentrations, and cholesterol deficiency is almost certainly detrimental.

Smith, Lemli, and Opitz initially described Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome as a genetic MCA/MR syndrome in 1964.[1] They named the condition RSH after the first initial of the last names of the first 3 patients ascertained.[2] The clinical characteristics of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome have been well established over the past 4 decades.

The etiology of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome was unknown until 1993 when Irons et al discovered that patients with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome had low plasma cholesterol levels and accumulated sterol precursors such as 7DHC.[3] A deficiency of the microsomal enzyme DHCR7, which reduces the 7-8 double bond of 7DHC to form cholesterol in the final step of the cholesterol synthetic pathway, was hypothesized and later proven to cause Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. Mutations in the DHCR7 gene are responsible for Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. Therefore, Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome can now be considered a classic inborn error of metabolism.

Currently, the reason defects in cholesterol synthesis cause congenital malformations is not known. Several disparate lines of research have led to recent understanding of the critical and somewhat unexpected role of cholesterol in early human development. Cholesterol is important in cell membranes, serves as the precursor for steroid hormones and bile acids, and is a major component in myelin. Cholesterol is covalently bound to the embryonic signaling protein sonic hedgehog (Shh) in a necessary step of the autoprocessing of the precursor to active form, occurring about age gestational day 0-7 in humans.

Shh plays a critical role in several embryologic fields relevant to Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (eg, brain, face, heart, limbs). Therefore, cholesterol is an essential triggering agent in the early developmental program of the human. Because 7DHC can also activate Shh, cholesterol deficiency that leads to decreased activation of Shh is probably not the sole explanation for congenital malformations in this syndrome.

Abnormalities in the Shh-patched signaling cascade presumably play a role. Membrane instability and dysmyelination from cholesterol deficiency and accumulation of 7DHC and other potentially toxic cholesterol precursors are also likely to contribute to the Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome phenotype.

Increased isoprenoids were reported in Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome, but the role these nonsterol isoprenoids play in the pathophysiology of this disorder is unclear.[4]

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Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

Prevalence of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome has been estimated to be 1 in 20,000-60,000 births among whites. Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome is also not uncommon in Hispanics. Its specific prevalence in different populations has not been precisely determined. The higher-than-expected prevalence of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome suggests a heterozygote advantage.

Only one description of an African-American patient has been published, although no biochemical or molecular confirmation of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome was available.[5] In a study of 150 biochemically diagnosed patients with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome, only one individual was of African descent.[6] In 2000, Yu and colleagues did not detect the mutation among 121 Africans from Sierra Leone.[7] In 2001, Nowaczyk and colleagues reported an IVS8-1G>C (common Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome mutation) carrier frequency of 1.09% (17 per 1559 population) in Canadian whites and 0.79% (4 per 504 population) in Canadians of African descent; however, no African Canadian patients were identified.[8]

The results of Wright et al's 2003 study indicate an IVS8-1G>C carrier frequency of 0.73% (10 per 1378 population) in African Americans.[9] This predicts the prevalence of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome due to IVS8-1G>C homozygosity to be 1 case per 75,061 persons in the African American population. Although the African American carrier frequency of the IVS8-1G>C allele was determined to be 0.73%, few African American patients with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome have been identified.

Carrier frequency for Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome is approximately 1 in 30 persons of northern European descent, suggesting a disease frequency of 1 per 5000-18,000 people. The actual disease prevalence may be lower because of fetal losses.

International

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome has been described in patients from the United States, many northern European countries, Japan, South America, and other countries. Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome appears to be uncommon in Japan. The frequency of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome appears to be similar in northern Europe and the United States, but additional studies are needed to determine the frequency of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome in other regions. The European origin of some of the major mutations found in Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome has been explored.[10]

Mortality/Morbidity

Spontaneous abortion of fetuses with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome is not unusual. Stillbirths have also been reported. Death from multiorgan system failure during the first weeks of life is typical in individuals with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome type II. Cause of death can include pneumonia, lethal congenital heart defect, or hepatic failure. Survival is unlikely if the plasma cholesterol level is less than approximately 20 mg/dL as measured by gas chromatography, which is used because routine methods of cholesterol measurement include precursor sterols.

Congenital heart disease is not uncommon in Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome and can cause cyanosis or congestive heart failure. Pulmonary hypertension has been noted in at least one patient.[11] Vomiting, feeding difficulties, constipation, toxic megacolon, electrolyte disturbances, and failure to thrive are common and, in some cases, related to GI anomalies. Liver disease has been commonly described.[12] Visual loss may occur because of cataracts, optic nerve abnormalities, or other ophthalmologic problems,[13] and subclinical retinal abnormalities may be noted on electroretinography.[14] Cataracts may occur acutely in the postnatal period.[15] Hearing loss is fairly common.

Race

See Frequency.

Sex

As an autosomal recessive genetic condition, Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome is equally prevalent among males and females.

Age

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome is a genetic condition that is present from conception, but signs may occasionally be so subtle that patients avoid detection until later childhood or even adulthood. Some have postulated that the mildest cases may completely escape detection in some instances. More commonly, Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome is suspected at birth or shortly thereafter because of birth defects.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Robert D Steiner, MD  Credit Unions for Kids Professor of Pediatric Research; Faculty, Pediatrics, Molecular and Medical Genetics, and Program in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences; Vice Chair for Research in Pediatrics, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Oregon Health and Science University; Director and Consulting Staff, Metabolic Bone Disease Clinic, Shriner's Hospital

Robert D Steiner, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Medical Genetics, American Society of Human Genetics, Oregon Medical Association, Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders, Society for Pediatric Research, Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism, and Western Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Amicus Honoraria Consulting; Actelion Honoraria Consulting; Actelion Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Biomarin Honoraria Consulting; Genzyme Honoraria Consulting; Shire Honoraria Consulting

Specialty Editor Board

Elaine H Zackai, MD  Professor of Pediatrics, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Professor of Pediatrics in Human Genetics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Director, Clinical Genetics Center, University of Pennsylvania; Senior Physician and Director of Clinical Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Elaine H Zackai, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Association, American College of Medical Genetics, and American Society of Human Genetics

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Robert Anthony Saul, MD  Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of South Carolina; Senior Clinical Geneticist, Greenwood Genetic Center

Robert Anthony Saul, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Medical Genetics, and American College of Physician Executives

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP  Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine

Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: Ambulatory Pediatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Society of Hospital Medicine

Disclosure: Baxter Honoraria Consulting

Chief Editor

Bruce Buehler, MD  Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Director RSA, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Bruce Buehler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association on Mental Retardation, American College of Medical Genetics, American College of Physician Executives, American Medical Association, and Nebraska Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors Laura S Martin, MD, and Roderick F Hume, MD, to the writing and development of this article.

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