# Mowat–Wilson syndrome

Mowat–Wilson syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that was clinically delineated by David R. Mowat and Meredith J. Wilson in 1998. The condition affects both males and females, has been described in various countries and ethnic groups around the world, and occurs in approximately 1 in 50,000–100,000 births.

## Presentation

This autosomal dominant disorder is characterized by a number of health defects including Hirschsprung disease, intellectual disability, epilepsy, delayed growth and motor development, congenital heart disease, genitourinary anomalies and absence of the corpus callosum. However, Hirschsprung's disease is not present in all infants with Mowat–Wilson syndrome and therefore it is not a required diagnostic criterion. Distinctive physical features include microcephaly, narrow chin, cupped ears with uplifted lobes with central depression, deep and widely set eyes, open mouth, wide nasal bridge and a shortened philtrum.
People with this condition have severe intellectual disability in almost all cases; however, a small minority have moderate intellectual disability. Speech is typically limited or absent. Many of those with Mowat–Wilson syndrome also have a distinctive open mouthed, smiling expression and friendly personalities.

## Causes

The disorder is expressed in an autosomal dominant fashion and may result from a de novo loss of function mutation or total deletion of the ZEB2 gene located on chromosome 2q22.

## Diagnosis

Mowat–Wilson syndrome (MWS) can be diagnosed clinically on the basis of moderate to severe intellectual disability in the presence of characteristic facial features (widely spaced eyes, broad eyebrows with a medial flare, low-hanging columella, prominent or pointed chin, open-mouth expression, and uplifted earlobes with a central depression — coined as orecchiette ears given their resemblance to the pasta). Other clinical features can include congenital heart defects, Hirschsprung disease or chronic constipation, genitourinary anomalies (particularly hypospadias in males), and hypogenesis or agenesis of the corpus callosum. Speech is typically limited to a few words or is absent, with relative preservation of receptive language skills. Growth restriction with microcephaly and seizure disorder are also common. Most affected people have a happy demeanor and a wide-based gait that can sometimes be confused with Angelman syndrome. The diagnosis of MWS confirmed by demonstrating a pathogenic variant (mutation) in the ZEB2 gene by molecular genetic testing.

## Treatment

To date, there is no cure for MWS. Affected individuals should see a pediatrician or adult physician at least annually to monitor growth, development, seizures and general health and well-being. Developmental potential is maximized through the use of physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology. Medical subspecialist care may be required if other organs are involved (e.g., a cardiologist and/or cardiac surgeon for congenital heart disease, gastroenterologist and or surgeon for Hirschsprung's disease or constipation.

## Prognosis

There is no cure for this syndrome. Treatment is supportive and symptomatic. All children with Mowat–Wilson syndrome required early intervention with speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy.