The kyphoscoliotic type of the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS VIA) is a rare recessively inherited connective tissue disorder characterized by bruisable, hyperextensible skin, generalized joint laxity, severe muscular hypotonia at birth and progressive congenital scoliosis or kyphosis. Deficiency of the enzyme lysyl hydroxylase 1 (LH1) due to mutations in PLOD1 results in underhydroxylation of collagen lysyl residues and, hence, in the abnormal formation of collagen cross-links. Here, we report on the clinical, biochemical, and molecular findings in six Egyptian patients from four unrelated families severely affected with EDS VIA. In addition to the frequently reported p.Glu326_Lys585dup, we identified two novel sequence variants p.Gln208* and p.Tyr675*, which lead either to loss of function of LH1 or to its deficiency. All affected children presented with similar clinical features of the disorder, and in addition, several dysmorphic craniofacial features, not yet described in EDS VIA. These were specific for the affected individuals of each family, but absent in their parents and their unaffected siblings.
Conclusion: Our description of six patients presenting with a homogeneous clinical phenotype and dysmorphic craniofacial features will help pediatricians in the diagnosis of this rare disorder.