Intracranial and Ocular Abnormalities in a Child with Neurodevelopmental Delay

Abstract Background: COL4A1 mutations can mimic TORCH infections and should be considered in the differential of congenital infections, especially when additional neuroanatomical abnormalities exist. Case presentation: A patient with neurodevelopmental delay and an unremarkable prenatal and birth history presented postnatally with congenital cataracts and neuroanatomical abnormalities including periventricular calcifications, porencephaly, and cerebellar hypoplasia. Although there was initial suspicion for a TORCH infection including cytomegalovirus, further genetic testing revealed a novel COL4A1 mutation, which involves type 4 collagen alpha 1 chain, an important component of vasculature. Conclusions: This case highlights the unique neuroanatomical and extracranial features of COL4A1 mutation which helps differentiate the condition from other related diseases. This report suggests that COL4A1 should be considered in a child with intracranial and ocular abnormalities, particularly in the absence of a perinatal etiology. Keywords: COL4A1, Intracranial calcification, Porencephaly, Cataract, Developmental Delay, TORCH.