Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome in infants: improving diagnosis.
BACKGROUND
Diagnosis of Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome (NBCCS) in infants may pose significant challenges to clinicians owing to its variable expressivity and age-related manifestations.


METHODS
We report two paediatric cases of NBCCS who presented initially with a non-specific phenotype.


RESULTS
In case 1, a diagnosis of NBCCS was possible only after the father was interviewed and found to present with two major criteria for the disease. Subsequent molecular testing confirmed the diagnosis. In case 2, molecular testing of the infant and his father had diagnostic value as neither satisfied fully the current diagnostic criteria for NBCCS.


CONCLUSIONS
Presence of the few clinical manifestations of NBCCS that appear in infants, typically congenital malformations and skeletal abnormalities, should prompt clinicians to conduct in-person interviews with both parents. In general, paediatricians should refer both parents of infants who are suspected of having an inherited condition to clinical geneticists for expert examination, given the potential unreliability of reported medical history.
Pastorino
L
L
Department of Oncology, Biology and Genetics, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
Cusano
R
R
Baldo
C
C
Forzano
F
F
Nasti
S
S
Di Rocco
M
M
Carta
M
M
Bricarelli
F Dagna
FD
Faravelli
F
F
Scarrà
G Bianchi
GB
D001478:Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D018389:Codon, Nonsense; D005192:Family Health; D005220:Fathers; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype
D018389:Codon, Nonsense