Clinical and Genetic Studies of VACTERL Association

This study will explore the medical problems in patients with VACTERL association and identify gene changes that might be responsible for them. VACTERL association can affect many parts of the body, including the bones of the spine, the heart, the lower intestinal tract, the connection between the trachea and esophagus, the kidneys and the arms. Information from this study may lead to a better understanding of the disease and improved treatment and genetic counseling.

Patients with VACTERL association and their parents and siblings may be eligible for this study.

Patients are admitted to the NIH Clinical Center for evaluation over 3 to 4 days that may include the following procedures:

• Physical examination, medical history, electrocardiogram (EKG), blood and urine tests
• Eye examination
• Imaging studies (echocardiogram, x-rays and ultrasound tests)
• Other specialized tests or consultations as indicated
• Optional medical photographs of the face and other body parts that may be involved in VACTERL association for publication in scientific texts or for teaching purposes
• Optional return visit after 2 years for repeat testing and to look for changes over time

Parents of patients have the following procedures:

• Physical examination, medical history, blood tests and x-rays, if needed
• Specialty consultations as indicated
• Optional medical photographs of the face and other body parts that may be involved in VACTERL association for publication in scientific texts or for teaching purposes
• Questionnaires about their child s medical history, growth, behavior and development, therapy and medication

Siblings of patients have the following procedures:

• Physical examination, medical history and blood tests

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Congenital Abnormalities; Birth Defects; Congenital Defects

Detailed Description

The combination of vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac anomalies, tracheo-esophageal fistula, radial dysplasia and limb anomalies, and renal anomalies, termed VACTERL association, has been used as a clinical descriptor for a specific group of phenotypic manifestations that have been observed to occur together. Depending upon the diagnostic criteria used, the prevalence may be as high as 1 in 6000 live births. VACTERL association is felt to be due to defects in early embryogenesis, and is likely to be genetically heterogeneous. The purpose of the present study is to increase the understanding of the clinical manifestations and genetic causes of VACTERL association through detailed physical, laboratory, and radiological studies. We also plan to examine the spectrum of clinical characteristics in VACTERL association to facilitate early diagnosis and clinical management, including genetic counseling. To accomplish this, we plan to enroll approximately 25-50affected individuals along with their family members for a total of 75-150 total individuals each year, with an enrollment ceiling of 500 affected individuals. Patients and their families will be seen at the NIH clinical center.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 304

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Maryland
    • Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
      • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: No older than 100 years (Child, Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

• INCLUSION CRITERIA:

(A) For affected individuals, determination of clinical criteria for inclusion will be determined by prior medical record review before participation. Inclusion criteria may be met in 1 of 3 ways:

1. At least 3 features of VACTERL association in an index case OR
2. Two features of VACTERL association in an index case plus at least 1 feature of VACTERL association in a relative OR
3. At least 2 features of VACTERL association in an index case plus at least 1 other anomaly.

(B) First degree relatives (parents and/or siblings of affected individuals) of patients with VACTERL association are also eligible to participate in portions of the protocol even if they have no features of VACTERL association.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

1. Anyone unwilling to provide informed consent (for themselves as adults, or on behalf of their children as minors, or on behalf of an adult who is unable to provide consent for themselves) or assent.
2. Cases that are clearly not in the spectrum of VACTERL association or related to our direct research interests (e.g. referred VACTERL cases that are felt to be related to other syndromes, such as Feingold syndrome, Townes-Brocks syndrome, or Pallister-Hall syndrome, would not be included). In such instances, we would attempt to make referrals to a more appropriate investigator.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Time Perspectives: Other

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Maximilian Muenke, M.D., National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Arsic D, Beasley SW, Sullivan MJ. Switched-on Sonic hedgehog: a gene whose activity extends beyond fetal development--to oncogenesis. J Paediatr Child Health. 2007 Jun;43(6):421-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2007.01104.x.
• Arsic D, Qi BQ, Beasley SW. Hedgehog in the human: a possible explanation for the VATER association. J Paediatr Child Health. 2002 Apr;38(2):117-21. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1754.2002.00813.x.
• Botto LD, Khoury MJ, Mastroiacovo P, Castilla EE, Moore CA, Skjaerven R, Mutchinick OM, Borman B, Cocchi G, Czeizel AE, Goujard J, Irgens LM, Lancaster PA, Martinez-Frias ML, Merlob P, Ruusinen A, Stoll C, Sumiyoshi Y. The spectrum of congenital anomalies of the VATER association: an international study. Am J Med Genet. 1997 Jul 11;71(1):8-15. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1096-8628(19970711)71:13.0.co;2-v.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: September 29, 2008
• Primary Completion: December 6, 2022
• Study Completion: June 29, 2017

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 3, 2008
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 3, 2008
• First Posted (Estimate): October 6, 2008

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): November 15, 2019
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 14, 2019
• Last Verified: June 29, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: VACTERL Association; VATER Association; Multiple Congenital Anomalies; VACTERL; Congenital Defects; Birth Defects; Congenital Abnormalities
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Congenital Abnormalities
• Other Study ID Numbers: 080224; 08-HG-0224

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No