A newborn boy is diagnosed with Apert syndrome. He has craniosynostosis, hypoplasia of the middle part of the face with retrusion of the eyes, and syndactyly that includes fusion of the skin, connective tissue, and muscle of the first, middle, and ring fingers with moderate fusion of those digits. There is very limited joint mobility past the first joint. Which one of the following is most likely decreased in cells of the interdigital regions of the developing hand of this newborn child?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In Apert syndrome, there is a defect in apoptosis, particularly in the interdigital regions, leading to syndactyly. DNA degradation by endonucleases is a key process in apoptosis, and its decrease results in the failure of normal separation of digits.

A Newborn Boy Is Diagnosed with Apert Syndrome