Paeds SAQs · endocrinology-diabetes-and-growth
Tall stature and overgrowth syndromes — formative SAQs
Formative SAQs on tall stature and overgrowth syndromes: separating the familial normal variant from the pathological causes using a structured redistribution assessment, recognising the syndromic overgrowth fingerprint (Sotos, Beckwith-Wiedemann, Weaver), the tumour surveillance that the molecular subgroup dictates, and the treatable endocrine and chromosomal causes.
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SAQ 1 (10)
A large-for-gestational-age term infant is reviewed at six weeks of age. The mother notes the baby's tongue seems large and protrudes, and the umbilicus has not healed well. On examination the baby is on the 99.6th centile for weight and length, has a markedly enlarged tongue, a soft umbilical hernia, and the left leg is measurably longer and thicker than the right. [2] [9]
a) What is the most likely diagnosis, and which molecular test confirms it and defines the tumour-risk subgroup? Give the reasoning. (3 marks) [2]
b) Outline the tumour surveillance plan this child must now enter, including the imaging modality, the frequency, the age horizon, and the tumours targeted. (3 marks) [9]
c) Describe the neonatal complications that may have required management in the first days of life, naming at least three. (2 marks) [2]
d) The parents ask whether their next child will be affected. Outline the principles of the recurrence-risk counselling for this condition. (2 marks) [2]
References5ShowHide
- [1]Ocansey S, Cole TRP, Rahman N, et al. Sotos Syndrome. GeneReviews, 1993.PMID 20301652
- [2]Brioude F, Kalish JM, Mussa A, et al. Expert consensus document: Clinical and molecular diagnosis, screening and management of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. Nat Rev Endocrinol, 2018.PMID 29377879
- [6]Caro R, Savel P, Moss PI. Evaluation of Short and Tall Stature in Children. Am Fam Physician, 2025.PMID 40531152
- [8]Tatton-Brown K, Loveday C, Yost S, et al. Mutations in Epigenetic Regulation Genes Are a Major Cause of Overgrowth with Intellectual Disability. Am J Hum Genet, 2017.PMID 28475857
- [9]Maas SM, Vansenne F, Kadouch DJ, et al. Phenotype, cancer risk, and surveillance in Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome depending on molecular genetic subgroups. Am J Med Genet A, 2016.PMID 27419809