A rare case of craniosynostosis: Pfeiffer-like syndrome in a neonatologist’s practice
https://doi.org/10.21508/1027-4065-2025-70-6-77-87
Abstract
Craniosynostoses (ICD-10: Q75.0) are pathological conditions associated with premature closure of the cranial sutures, resulting in cranial deformity, restricted brain growth and, without timely intervention, severe neurological disorders. They also correlate closely with various syndromal pathologies and are manifested by the presence of additional malformations in patients. Diagnostic difficulty is represented by situations when, in the presence of all phenotypic features of syndromal craniosynostosis, it is not possible to identify a genetic mutation, which requires a more thorough examination and a broad differential diagnosis. In the following clinical observation, we describe a unique case of Pfeiffer-like syndrome in a child with no identified characteristic genetic mutation and a favourable prognosis for life.
About the Authors
D. M. MuscherovaRussian Federation
117513, Moscow
H. A. Sarkisyan
Russian Federation
117513, Moscow
L. D. Vorona
Russian Federation
117513, Moscow
119620, Moscow
A. B. Smolyannikova
Russian Federation
117513, Moscow
P. R. Deryugina
Russian Federation
117513, Moscow
K. S. Zizyukina
Russian Federation
117513, Moscow
Yu. L. Ishutina
Russian Federation
119620, Moscow
A. I. Krapivkin
Russian Federation
117513, Moscow
119620, Moscow
P. V. Shumilov
Russian Federation
117513, Moscow
References
1. Jang M.J., Ahn M.B. Effect of Growth Hormone Therapy on a 4-Year-Old Girl with Pfeiffer Syndrome and Short Stature: A Case Report. Children (Basel). 2022; 9(4): 547. DOI: 10.3390/children9040547
2. Katouni K., Nikolaou A., Mariolis T., Protogerou V., Chrysikos D., Theofilopoulou S., et al. Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus. 2023; 15(12): e50448. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.50448
3. Yapijakis C., Pachis N., Sotiriadou T., Vaila C., Michopoulou V., Vassiliou S. Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Craniosynostosis. In Vivo. 2023; 37(1): 36–46. DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13052
4. Casteleyn T., Horn D., Henrich W., Verlohren S. Differential diagnosis of syndromic craniosynostosis: a case series. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2022; 306(1): 49–57. DOI: 10.1007/s00404-021-06263-9
5. Kantaputra P.N., Angkurawaranon S., Khwanngern K., Ngamphiw C., Intachai W., Adisornkanj P., et al. Clinical and Genetic Studies of the First Monozygotic Twins with Pfeiffer Syndrome. Genes (Basel). 2022; 13(10): 1850. DOI: 10.3390/genes13101850
6. Rai R., Iwanaga J., Dupont G., Oskouian R.J., Loukas M., Oakes W.J., et al. Pfeiffer type 2 syndrome: review with updates on its genetics and molecular biology. Childs Nerv Syst. 2019; 35(9): 1451–1455. DOI: 10.1007/s00381-019-04244-7
7. Pashkov A.V., Svistushkin V.M., Gadaleva S.V., Naumova I.V., Klyachko D.S. Ear abnormality in a child with Pfeiffer syndrome. Rossiiskaya otorinolaringologiya. 2019; 18(5): 102–105. (in Russ.) DOI: 10.18692/1810-4800-2019-5-102-105
8. Katsuragi S.Y., Hirose E., Arai Y., Otsuki Y., Ohki S., Kobayashi H. Autopsy Case of Pfeiffer Syndrome Type 2, a Phenotype of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor-- Associated Craniosynostosis Syndromes, with Tracheal Cartilage Sleeve and Abnormal Hyperplasia of Bronchial Cartilages. Am J Case Rep. 2021; 22: e932450. DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.932450
9. Pravoslavnaya O.V., Sarkisyan E.A., Vorona L.D., Levchenko L.A., Kantutis S.S., Ishutina Y.L. et al. A Modern View of the Peculiarities of Managing Children with Pfeiffer Syndrome (A Literature Review). Pediatrija Vostochnaja Evropa 2023; 11(4): 495–505. (in Russ.) DOI: 10.34883/PI.2023.11.4.006
10. Su P.H., Chen J.Y., Lee I.C., Ng Y.Y., Hu J.M., Chen S.J. Pfeiffer-like syndrome with holoprosencephaly: a newborn with maternal smoking and alcohol exposure. Pediatr Neonatol. 2009; 50(5): 234–8. DOI: 10.1016/S1875-9572(09)60069-3
11. Danso K.A., Akuaku R.S., Young F.N.A., Wiafe S.A. Pfeiffer syndrome type 3 with FGR2 c.1052C>G (p.Ser351Cys) variant in West Africa: a case report. Pan Afr Med J. 2021; 40: 136. DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2021.40.136.31395
12. Wenger T., Miller D., Evans K. FGFR Craniosynostosis Syndromes Overview. 1998 [updated 2020]. In: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews®️ [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993–2025. PMID: 20301628
13. Clinical recommendations. Diagnosis and treatment of Pfeiffer syndrome. Year of approval: 2017. Association of Geneticists and Neurologists. (in Russ.) https://med-gen.ru/docs/pfayfer.pdf \ Ссылка активна на 30.10.2025
14. Vankipuram S., Ellenbogen J., Sinha A.K. Management of Chiari 1 Malformation and Hydrocephalus in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Review. J Pediatr Neurosci. 2022; 17(Suppl 1): S67-S76. DOI: 10.4103/jpn.JPN_49_22
15. Tie H.X., Li T.G., Xu F.R., Wu W.R., Ma B. An early prenatal diagnosis of type III Pfeiffer syndrome: a case description. Quant Imaging Med Surg. 2024; 14(12): 9835–9840. DOI: 10.21037/qims-24-440
16. Hu Z.Y., Lin S.M., Zhu M.J., Cheung C.K., Liu T., Zhu J. Prenatal diagnosis of Pfeiffer syndrome type 2 with increased nuchal translucency. Clin Case Rep. 2021; 9(10): e05001. DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.5001
17. Justus J.O. Pfeiffer Syndrome (Acrocephalosyndactyly) With Significant Syndactyly and Brachydactyly: A Case Report. Clin Med Insights Case Rep. 2025; 18: 11795476251353333. DOI: 10.1177/11795476251353333
18. Mahmud N., Abdul Latif H., Mohd Zaki F., Goh B.S. Tracheal cartilaginous sleeve in Pfeiffer syndrome: lesson learnt from its rarity. BMJ Case Rep. 2021; 14(4): e236888. DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-236888
19. Wu X., Gu Y. Signaling Mechanisms Underlying Genetic Pathophysiology of Craniosynostosis. Int J Biol Sci. 2019; 15(2): 298–311. DOI 10.7150/ijbs.29183
20. Mosalli R., Fatma A., Almatrafi M.A., Mazroua M., Paes B. De Novo Heterozygous Mutation in FGFR2 Causing Type II Pfeiffer Syndrome. Case Rep Genet. 2022; 2022: 4791082. DOI: 10.1155/2022/4791082
21. Liberman R.F., Getz K.D., Heinke D., Luke B., Stern J.E., Declercq E.R., et al. Assisted Reproductive Technology and Birth Defects: Effects of Subfertility and Multiple Births. Birth Defects Res. 2017; 109(14): 1144–1153. DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1055
22. Taylor J.A., Bartlett S.P. What’s New in Syndromic Craniosynostosis Surgery? Plast Reconstr Surg. 2017; 140(1): 82e-93e. DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000003524
23. Sarkisyan H., Vorona L., Shumilov P., Deryugina P., Sloka V., Levchenko L., et al. Pfeiffer Syndrome Type 2 in Neonatologist and Pediatrician Practice: A Case Report. Pediatrija Vostochnaja Evropa. 2024; 12(4): 632–644. (in Russ.) DOI: 10.34883/PI.2024.12.4.011
24. Dalmas F., Pech-Gourg G., Gallucci A., Denis D., Scavarda D. Craniosynostosis and oculomotor disorders. Neurochirurgie. 2020; 66(2): 91–96. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuchi.2019.10.010
Review
For citations:
Muscherova D.M., Sarkisyan H.A., Vorona L.D., Smolyannikova A.B., Deryugina P.R., Zizyukina K.S., Ishutina Yu.L., Krapivkin A.I., Shumilov P.V. A rare case of craniosynostosis: Pfeiffer-like syndrome in a neonatologist’s practice. Rossiyskiy Vestnik Perinatologii i Pediatrii (Russian Bulletin of Perinatology and Pediatrics). 2025;70(6):77-87. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.21508/1027-4065-2025-70-6-77-87
JATS XML




































