Genomic newborn screening: ICoNS

Gene: LHX3

Green List (high evidence)

LHX3 (LIM homeobox 3)
EnsemblGeneIds (GRCh38): ENSG00000107187
EnsemblGeneIds (GRCh37): ENSG00000107187
OMIM: 600577, ClinGen, DECIPHER
LHX3 is in 16 panels

2 reviews

Zornitza Stark (Victorian Clinical Genetics Services)

Green List (high evidence)

Discussed at Gene List Subcommittee meeting.

General consensus this gene should be included.
Created: 5 Dec 2025, 6:50 a.m. | Last Modified: 5 Dec 2025, 6:50 a.m.
Panel Version: 0.25

José Manuel González de Aledo Castillo (Other)

LHX3 – Well-established gene–disease association

Not yet scored by ClinGen, definitive in GenCC for non-acquired Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiency type 3 (CPHD3).

AR CPHD3 is characterized by multiple anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies, including growth hormone, TSH, LH/FSH, prolactin, and variably ACTH. Affected individuals often have restricted neck mobility due to cervical spine anomalies and sensorineural hearing loss. CPHD3 can be severe and potentially life-threatening in infancy, due to recurrent hypoglycemia, prolonged jaundice, and metabolic instability.

Typical presentation is from the newborn period through early infancy, though some patients are diagnosed later in childhood due to growth failure or pubertal delay.

The vast majority of clinically confirmed CPHD3 cases carry biallelic pathogenic variants in LHX3, primarily loss-of-function or homeodomain-disrupting missense variants. Recurrent pathogenic variants such as T194R, W224Ter, C74 and V205L have been reported.

Treatment: Lifelong hormone replacement tailored to specific deficiencies (levothyroxine, growth hormone, hydrocortisone when needed, and sex steroids during adolescence). Management also includes audiologic support and evaluation of cervical spine stability.

Non-genetic confirmatory tests available: Pituitary hormone profile (GH, TSH, PRL, LH/FSH, with surveillance for evolving ACTH deficiency), pituitary MRI showing anterior pituitary hypoplasia, audiology testing, and cervical spine imaging.

Conventional newborn screening: indirect through CH screening (universal)

Genomic newborn screening: included in BabyScreen+, Babyseq, BeginNGS, FirstSteps, Generation Study, NewbornsinSA, Puglia.
Sources: Literature
Created: 4 Dec 2025, 8:58 p.m.

Mode of inheritance
BIALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal

History Filter Activity

5 Dec 2025, Gel status: 3

Entity classified by Genomics England curator

Zornitza Stark (Victorian Clinical Genetics Services)

Gene: lhx3 has been classified as Green List (High Evidence).

5 Dec 2025, Gel status: 3

Set Phenotypes

Zornitza Stark (Victorian Clinical Genetics Services)

Phenotypes for gene: LHX3 were changed from to Pituitary hormone deficiency, combined, 3 (MIM#221750)

5 Dec 2025, Gel status: 3

Entity classified by Genomics England curator

Zornitza Stark (Victorian Clinical Genetics Services)

Gene: lhx3 has been classified as Green List (High Evidence).

4 Dec 2025, Gel status: 0

Created, Added New Source, Set mode of inheritance

José Manuel González de Aledo Castillo (Other)

gene: LHX3 was added gene: LHX3 was added to Genomic newborn screening: ICoNS. Sources: Literature Mode of inheritance for gene: LHX3 was set to BIALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal