A Korean male with Kleefstra syndrome presented with micropenis

Abstract

Kleefstra syndrome is caused by chromosome 9q34.3 deletion or heterozygous mutations in the euchromatin histone methyl transferase 1 (EHMT1) gene. It can be accompanied by intellectual disability, distinctive facial features, microcephaly, psychiatric disorders, hypotonia in childhood, hearing loss, heart defects, renal defects, epilepsy, speech anomalies, and obesity. Furthermore, genital anomalies are present in 30%–40% of male patients with Kleefstra syndrome, but their mechanisms have not been elucidated. Herein, we report a patient with Kleefstra syndrome presenting with micropenis. The patient was transferred to Kyungpook National University Children's Hospital for management of imperforate anus on the day of birth. Physical examination revealed micropenis with stretched penile length of 0.9 cm and facial dysmorphisms, including hypertelorism and anteverted nares. Chromosomal microarray revealed 424-kb heterozygous deletion at chromosome 9q34.3 (arr[hg19] 9q34.3 (140,234,315-140,659,055)x1). Among the involved main OMIM genes, phenotypically relevant genes were EHMT1 and NSMF. Endocrinological investigation showed low basal gonadotropin and testosterone levels. Anterior pituitary hormones and steroid hormone levels were in the normal range. Testicular function was normal based on human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation test. The patient experienced improvement in penile length growth with intramuscular testosterone enanthate injection initiated at 4 months of age. The purpose of this study is to describe the etiology, endocrine laboratory tests, and treatment of micropenis in Kleefstra syndrome.

Keywords

• kleefstra syndrome
• gene
• micropenis
• testosterone treatment