Burjeel Medical City Pediatric Breakthrough: Prof. Ayman El-Hattab Discovers El-Hattab-Schmidts Syndrome Affecting Children’s Brains

El-Hattab-Schmidts Syndrome: A Newly Identified Neurodevelopmental Disorder

Recent advancements in genetic research at Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi have led to the formal recognition of El-Hattab-Schmidts syndrome, a rare autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disorder primarily affecting children. This breakthrough highlights the UAE's growing prominence in global medical research, particularly in pediatrics and genetics.

The syndrome, linked to pathogenic variants in the PPP1R21 gene (protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 21), disrupts early brain development and muscle function. Located on chromosome 2p16.3, the gene plays a crucial role in endosomal maturation and protein trafficking, essential for cellular health. When both copies are mutated—often in consanguineous families—children exhibit profound challenges from infancy.

In the UAE, where consanguineous marriages are common (around 50% in some populations), such recessive disorders are more prevalent, underscoring the need for advanced genetic screening.

Clinical Features and Symptoms Across Developmental Stages

El-Hattab-Schmidts syndrome presents with a consistent phenotype. Nearly all affected children (100%) experience global developmental delay and intellectual disability, often moderate to profound, with limited or absent language skills. Hypotonia (low muscle tone, 96%) is a hallmark, causing infants to appear 'floppy' and leading to feeding difficulties (70%), which may require gastrostomy tubes.

• Infancy: Oropharyngeal dysphagia, recurrent vomiting, apnea, recurrent respiratory infections (52%), laryngomalacia.
• Childhood: Coordination problems, ataxia, seizures (22%), neurobehavioral issues like ADHD or stereotypies (22%).
• Ophthalmologic: Strabismus, nystagmus, optic atrophy (71%).
• Facial dysmorphism: Coarse features—thick eyebrows, broad nasal bridge, thick lips (71%).
• Other: Cardiac anomalies (28%), hepatomegaly (22%), hypertrichosis, hyporeflexia (52%).

Brain MRI reveals delayed myelination, enlarged ventricles, thin corpus callosum, and cerebellar hypoplasia in most cases.

The Genetic Basis: PPP1R21 Variants and Pathophysiology

Pathogenic biallelic variants in PPP1R21—mostly homozygous nonsense, frameshift, or splice site mutations—cause loss of function. These impair endocytic trafficking, leading to accumulation of dysfunctional proteins and organelles, affecting neuronal development.

No genotype-phenotype correlations exist yet, but all 24 reported cases worldwide share this mechanism. High consanguinity in Arab populations explains clustering, with initial UAE cases from Prof. El-Hattab's 2018 report.

Discovery Journey: From UAE Clinic to Global Recognition

In 2018, Prof. Ayman W. El-Hattab's team at Burjeel Medical City evaluated three children with unexplained symptoms. Exome sequencing revealed novel PPP1R21 variants, unmatched to known disorders. "The similarity of clinical features and gene importance suggested a new syndrome," Prof. El-Hattab noted.

Published as Suleiman et al. (Clin Genet 2018), it was corroborated by Schmidts et al. (2019) and others, culminating in OMIM #619383 and GeneReviews (Jan 2026). This is Prof. El-Hattab's third eponymous syndrome, reflecting UAE's genetic testing prowess—market projected to grow 20% CAGR to USD 118M by 2030.

Photo by Max Zhang on Unsplash

Prof. Ayman El-Hattab: Bridging Clinical Practice and Academia

Trained at Jordan University of Science & Technology and Baylor College of Medicine (USA), Prof. El-Hattab is Consultant Clinical Geneticist and Director of Burjeel Medical City's Genetics Center. As Associate Professor at University of Sharjah's College of Medicine, he mentors future researchers.

With 132+ publications and founder of MENA Organization for Rare Diseases, his work exemplifies UAE higher ed's role in translational research. Collaborations like Burjeel with Gulf Medical University advance pediatric genetics.

Explore genetics careers in UAE at higher-ed-jobs.

Diagnosis: Role of Advanced Genetic Testing in UAE

Diagnosis starts clinically (dev delay + hypotonia + dysmorphism), confirmed by exome/genome sequencing detecting PPP1R21 variants (100% sensitivity). UAE's genetic testing infrastructure, with centers like Burjeel's, supports early ID—39% positive molecular diagnosis in studied cases.

Preimplantation genetic testing via IVF prevents recurrence. Amid rising neurodev disorders (e.g., ASD challenges in UAE), such tools are vital.

Management Strategies and Multidisciplinary Care

No cure exists, but multidisciplinary management improves outcomes:

• Developmental therapies, feeding support, gastrostomy if needed.
• Ophthalmology for strabismus/optic atrophy; cardiology monitoring (echos annually).
• Anti-seizure meds (variable efficacy); behavioral interventions for ADHD/ASD-like traits.
• Surveillance: Regular neuro, respiratory, growth assessments.

Prognosis varies; 4/24 deaths young, but survivors reach adulthood with support. UAE's rare disease ecosystem aids transitions.

Implications for UAE Families and Global Research

For UAE families, diagnosis ends diagnostic odysseys, enabling preconception counseling. Rare diseases affect 5-10% globally (~300M people), higher in MENA due to consanguinity; UAE's Emirati Genome Programme sequences 800K+ genomes.

Prof. El-Hattab's >10 novel syndromes advance gene function knowledge, paving for therapies. Ties to University of Sharjah foster student research in genomics.

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Photo by Sandy Ravaloniaina on Unsplash

UAE's Rising Profile in Pediatric Genetics Research

Burjeel's partnerships (e.g., Abu Dhabi University, Gulf Medical University) integrate clinical-university research. UAE rare disease treatment market: USD 616M (2024) to USD 1.34B (2030).

Gene therapies for autism/brain disorders announced, boosting pediatric breakthroughs.

Future Outlook: Therapies, Prevention, and Research Horizons

Understanding PPP1R21 dysfunction may yield targeted therapies restoring endosomal function. UAE leads with AI/genomics investments; ongoing trials monitored via ClinicalTrials.gov.

Families: "Do not give up—progress accelerates diagnoses," advises Prof. El-Hattab. Rate professors shaping this field at rate-my-professor, explore higher-ed-jobs in genetics, or university-jobs in UAE.