Background:

Ectodermal dysplasias are a group of genodermatoses characterized by dystrophy of ectodermal derived structures. The most frequent presentation of the ectodermal dysplasias is the hypohidrotic type, which has an incidence of 7/100,000 newborns and has been described in all ethnic groups. The hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) has different etiologies, and it is more frequently associated with an X-linked pattern of inheritance caused by pathogenic variants of the EDA gene in Xq13.1. EDA encodes the protein ectodisplasin A, a signal molecule which participates in epithelium and mesenchymal development of the skin.

Case report:

A 6 year-old male patient with the main clinical characteristics of the X-linked HED including hypotrichosis, hypodontia and hypohidrosis. The direct sequencing analysis of EDA in our patient detected a de novo pathogenic variant, c.466C>T, p.Arg156Cys, rs132630313. This variant has been previously described in different ethnic groups, including Mexican families, and is considered a mutational hotspot. The clinical characteristics, etiology and management of the X-linked HED, including the possibility of prenatal therapy in order to avoid the clinical manifestations are discussed.

Conclusions:

The molecular analysis in patients with X-linked HED is of relevance, as it enables to confirm the clinical diagnosis and also, it allows a genetic assessment with molecular bases.