Copy number variants (CNVs) and intragenic rearrangements of the NRXN1 (neurexin 1) gene are associated with a wide spectrum of developmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, including intellectual disability, speech delay, autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), hypotonia and schizophrenia. We performed a detailed clinical and molecular characterization of 24 patients who underwent clinical microarray analysis and had intragenic deletions of NRXN1. Seventeen of these deletions involved exons of NRXN1, whereas seven deleted intronic sequences only. The patients with exonic deletions manifested developmental delay/intellectual disability (93%), infantile hypotonia (59%) and ASDs (56%). Congenital malformations and dysmorphic features appeared infrequently and inconsistently among this population of patients with NRXN1 deletions. The more C-terminal deletions, including those affecting the b isoform of neurexin 1, manifested increased head size and a high frequency of seizure disorder (88%) when compared with N-terminal deletions of NRXN1.

Chiari malformations are multifactorial and heterogeneous entities, characterized by abnormalities in the posterior fossa. They have been identified in association with various genetic syndromes in recent years. Two previous studies have noted an association of Chiari malformations with Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RTS). In this clinical report, we highlight identical twins with RTS caused by a mutation in CREBBP that presented with slightly different Chiari malformations in association with an extensive multiloculated syrinx and scoliosis. RTS has been found to be associated with craniocervical abnormalities in literature review, and this clinical report demonstrates the prudent consideration of the physician who cares for patients impacted by RTS to effectively screen via symptomatology and physical examination for Chiari pathology or other craniocervical abnormalities.

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Great strides in the identification, etiologic understanding, and treatment of metabolic and genetic disorders associated with infantile seizures have occurred in recent years. We explain the cause, pathogenesis, diagnosis, presentation, and treatment of certain metabolic disorders that now have defined interventions that improve and optimize neurologic outcome. A systematic approach to infantile seizures will allow the primary practitioner to more effectively create a differential diagnosis with close attention to the disorders that have specific treatment applications.