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Last updated:
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NORD gratefully acknowledges Ernestina Schipani, MD, PhD, Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Medicine, and Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan-Medical School, for assistance in the preparation of this report.
Jansen type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia is an extremely rare progressive disorder in which portions of the bones of the arms and legs develop abnormally with unusual cartilage formations and subsequent abnormal bone formation at the large (bulbous) end portions (metaphyses) of these long bones (metaphyseal chondrodysplasia). As a result, affected individuals exhibit unusually short arms and legs and short stature (short-limbed dwarfism), findings that typically become apparent during early childhood. Abnormal cartilage and bone development may also affect other bones of the body, particularly those of the hands and feet (i.e., metacarpals and metatarsals). Infants with Jansen type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia may also have characteristic facial abnormalities and additional skeletal malformations. During childhood, affected individuals may begin to exhibit progressive stiffening and swelling of many joints and/or an unusual “waddling gait” and squatting stance. In addition, affected adults may eventually develop abnormally hardened (sclerotic) bones especially in the back of the head (cranial bones), which, in some cases, may lead to blindness and/or deafness. In addition, affected individuals have abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia). The range and severity of symptoms may vary from person to person. Most cases of Jansen type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia occur randomly as the result of a spontaneous genetic change (i.e., new genetic mutation).
In Jansen type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia, an extremely rare progressive disorder, portions of the bones of the arms and legs develop abnormally with unusual cartilage formations and subsequent abnormal bone formation at the large (bulbous) end portions (metaphyses) of these long bones (metaphyseal chondrodysplasia). As a result, affected individuals exhibit unusually short arms and legs and short stature (short-limbed dwarfism), findings that typically become apparent during childhood. Abnormal cartilage development and bone formation may also affect other bones of the body, including those of the hands and feet (i.e., metacarpals and metatarsals). As affected individuals age, abnormal cartilage formations in affected areas may harden into rounded (bulbous) masses of bone, which may become prominent.
Most infants with Jansen type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia have characteristic facial abnormalities that are present at birth (congenital) including an unusually small jaw (micrognathia); receding chin; highly-arched roof of the mouth (palate); unusually wide fibrous joints between bones of the skull (cranial sutures); and/or prominent, widely spaced eyes (ocular hypertelorism).
During childhood, it may become apparent that affected individuals have additional skeletal abnormalities such as unusually short, clubbed fingers (brachydactyly) with permanent fixation of the fifth finger in a bent position (clinodactyly); an abnormally small lower rib cage; fractured ribs; and/or malformations of the spine and pelvis. As affected children age, they may eventually develop abnormal front-to-back and side-to-side curvature of the spine (kyphoscoliosis) and/or bowing of the legs. In addition, short stature becomes more obvious as affected children age; the torso grows longer, but the arms and legs do not grow proportionally.
Children with Jansen type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia may also experience diminished muscle mass and gradual swelling of certain joints, particularly the hips and knees. Affected joints may become stiff and painful and certain movements, particularly bending (flexion), may become limited. Most affected children develop an unusual semi-squatting stance and a “waddling” walk (gait). Eventually, certain joints may become fixed in a permanently bent (flexed) position (joint contractures).
Intellectual disability and a delay in the acquisition of skills requiring coordination of muscular and mental activity (psychomotor retardation) have not been reported in patients with Jansen metaphyseal chondrodysplasia.
Some adults with Jansen type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia may eventually exhibit overgrowth of the bones above the eyes and those of the forehead (supraorbital and frontonasal hyperplasia), an unusually thickened base of the skull, and/or abnormal hardening (sclerosis) of certain cranial bones. In some patients, sclerosis of certain cranial bones may eventually result in blindness and/or deafness. Affected adults may also exhibit additional joint contractures. In addition, affected individuals have abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia). The degree of hypercalcemia may vary in different patients. At least one mild form of Jansen type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia has been identified in which affected family members had less-pronounced skeletal abnormalities.
The gene that is probably involved in most cases of Jansen type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia associated with hypercalcemia is located on the short arm (p) of chromosome 3 (3p21.1-p22). Chromosomes are found in the nucleus of all body cells. They carry the genetic characteristics of each individual. Pairs of human chromosomes are numbered from 1 through 22, with an unequal 23rd pair of X and Y chromosomes for males, and two X chromosomes for females. Each chromosome has a short arm designated as “p” and a long arm identified by the letter “q.” In order for researchers to clearly refer to the thousands of genes that may be present on one chromosome, both the long arm and short arm of each chromosome are divided into many bands that are numbered.
Jansen type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia is caused by a change (mutation) in a gene that encodes for a specific protein (i.e., PTH/PTHrP receptor). Parathyroid hormone helps to regulate the levels of calcium in the blood.
Most cases of Jansen type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia occur randomly as the result of a spontaneous genetic change (i.e., new mutation). Inheritance is autosomal dominant. Dominant genetic disorders occur when only a single copy of an abnormal gene is necessary to cause a particular disease. The abnormal gene can be inherited from either parent or can be the result of a mutated gene in the affected individual. The risk of passing the abnormal gene from an affected parent to an offspring is 50% for each pregnancy. The risk is the same for males and females.
Jansen type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia is an extremely rare disorder that affects males and females in equal numbers. Approximately 20 cases have been reported in the medical literature.
The diagnosis of Jansen type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia may be suspected during infancy or early childhood. The diagnosis may be confirmed by a thorough clinical evaluation, identification of characteristic physical findings, and a variety of specialized tests, particularly advanced imaging techniques. These techniques include x-ray studies that may reveal abnormal development of the large (bulbous) ends (metaphyses) of certain bones of the body, particularly those of the arms and legs. Laboratory tests that detect abnormally high levels of calcium in the urine (hypercalciuria) and blood (hypercalcemia) are helpful in confirming the diagnosis.
Treatment
The treatment of Jansen type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia is directed toward the specific symptoms that are apparent in each individual. Treatment may require the coordinated efforts of a team of specialists. Pediatricians, orthopedic surgeons, dental specialists, speech pathologists, specialists who assess and treat hearing problems (audiologists), physical therapists, and other health care professionals may need to systematically and comprehensively plan an affected child’s treatment.
Physical therapy and/or orthopedic surgery may help correct certain specific findings associated with Jansen type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia, such as deformities of the joints.
Early intervention is important to ensure that children with Jansen type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia reach their highest potential. Special services that may be beneficial to affected children may include speech therapy, special social support, physical therapy, and other medical, social, and/or vocational services.
Genetic counseling is recommended for affected individuals and their families. Other treatment for this disorder is symptomatic and supportive.
Researchers are studying the use of bisphosphonates for the treatment of individuals with Jansen type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia. More research is necessary to determine the long-term safety and effectiveness of bisphosphonates as a potential treatment for this disorder.
In addition, drugs that normalize the activity of the abnormal PTH/PTHrP receptor protein present in Jansen patients are currently being tested in preclinical models.
Information on current clinical trials is posted on the Internet at www.clinicaltrials.gov. All studies receiving U.S. government funding, and some supported by private industry, are posted on this government web site.
For information about clinical trials being conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, contact the NIH Patient Recruitment Office:
Tollfree: (800) 411-1222
TTY: (866) 411-1010
Email: prpl@cc.nih.gov
For information about clinical trials sponsored by private sources, contact:
www.centerwatch.com
For information about clinical trials conducted in Europe, contact:
https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/
Contact for additional information about Jansen type metaphyseal hondrodysplasia:
Ernestina Schipani, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Medicine, and
Cell and Developmental Biology
University of Michigan-Medical School
109 Zina Pitcher
BSRB Rm2007
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Tel: 1-734-647-2274
Fax: 1-734-647-0003
Email: eschipan@med.umich.edu
Jansen Type Metaphyseal Chondrodysplasia Resources
(Please note that some of these organizations may provide information concerning certain conditions potentially associated with this disorder [e.g., short stature, craniofacial abnormalities, deafness, etc.].)
TEXTBOOKS
Jansen SE. Metaphyseal Chondrodysplasia. In: NORD Guide to Rare Disorders. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2003:559.
Jones KL, ed. Smith’s Recognizable Patterns of Human Malformation. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: W. B. Saunders Co; 1997:386.
Beighton P, ed. Mckusick’s Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue. 5th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby-Year Book, Inc; 1993:627-34.
Gorlin RJ, et al., eds. Syndromes of the Head and Neck, 3rd ed. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 1990:184-7.
Buyse ML, ed. Birth Defects Encyclopedia. Dover, MA: Blackwell Scientific Publications; For: The Center for Birth Defects Information Services Inc; 1990:1131-3.
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Bastepe M, et al. A form of Jansen’s metaphyseal chondrodysplasia with limited metabolic and skeletal abnormalities is caused by a novel activating parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH-related peptide receptor mutation. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004;89:3595-600.
Kozlowski K, et al. Metaphyseal chondrodysplasia, type Jansen. Australas Radiol. 1999;43:544-7.
Mingawa M, et al. Jansen-type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia: analysis of PTH/PTH-related protein receptor messenger RNA by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain method. Endocr J. 1997;44:493-9.
Schipani E, et al. Constitutively activated receptors for parathyroid hormone and parathyroid hormone-related peptide in Jansen’s metaphyseal chondrodysplasia. N Engl J Medicine. 1996;335:708-14.
Schipani E, et al. A constitutively active mutant PTH-PTHrP receptor in Jansen-type metaphyseal chondrodysplasia. Science. 1995;268:98-100.
Kruse K, et al. Calcium metabolism in the Jansen type of metaphyseal dysplasia. Eur J Pediatr. 1993;152:912-5.
Silverthorn KG, et al. Murk Jansen’s metaphyseal chondrodysplasia with long-term followup. Pediatr Radiol. 1987;17:119-23.
Charrow J, et al. The Jansen type of metaphyseal chondrodysplasia: confirmation of dominant inheritance and review of radiographic manifestations in the newborn and adult. Am J Med Genet. 1984;18:321-7.
Nazara Z, et al. Further clinical and radiological features in metaphyseal chondrodysplasia jansen type. Radiology. 1981;140:697-700.
Kikuchi S, et al. Metaphysial dysostosis (Jansen type). Report of a case with long follow-up. J Bone Joint Surg (Br). 1976;58:102-6.
Gordon SL, et al. Jansen’s metaphyseal dysostosis. Pediatrics. 1976;58;556-60.
Holthusen W, et al. The skull in metaphyseal chondrodysplasia type Jansen. Pediatr Radiol. 1975;3:137-44.
INTERNET
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). The Johns Hopkins University. Metaphyseal Chondrodysplasia, Jansen Type. Entry No: 156400. Last Edited 09/30/2013. Available at: https://omim.org/entry/156400 Accessed July 26, 2018.
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