先天性肌营养不良1A 型1 例临床与基因分析

目的报道1例LAMA2基因变异导致先天性肌营养不良的临床、实验室检查及遗传学特点。方法回顾分析1例先天性肌营养不良1A型患儿的临床资料,并复习相关文献。结果患儿,男,5岁2个月,临床表现为运动发育落后,2岁时可独坐,不能独走;肌力及肌张力低下,早期出现关节挛缩。生化检测发现肌酸激酶(CK)升高(491 U/L),其同工酶CK-MB升高(41.8 U/L);肌电图提示肌源性损害可能;头颅MRI提示大脑白质异常信号。基因检测发现LAMA2存在复杂杂合突变,c.2045-2046del AG杂合缺失,来自母亲,为已报道的致病变异;exon5存在杂合缺失,来自父亲,为未报道的新变异,软件功能预测提示为致病性变异。结论 LAMA2基因变异导致先天性肌营养不良,患儿以运动发育落后起病,CK升高,高通量基因检测有助于明确诊断。     

婴儿神经轴索营养不良的临床特点及PLA2G6基因分析

婴儿神经轴索营养不良（INAD）是一种罕见的神经退行性疾病。该文报道2例男性患儿,年龄分别为3岁、4岁2个月,均以精神运动发育落后/倒退就诊,出生史无异常,目前肌力、肌张力均低下,其中1例患儿已不能独站,且视力下降。肌电图示神经源性损害;头颅MRI示小脑萎缩。全外显子组测序发现2例患儿PLA2G6基因均存在复合杂合突变,其中1例患儿携带的IVS11-1G > T、c.1984C > G突变为新突变,免疫组化示该患儿肌肉组织中PLA2G6蛋白表达量降低。INAD主要临床表现为精神运动发育落后/倒退、小脑萎缩等,基因测序可协助临床确诊。     

儿童2型Dent病1例并文献复习

目的 总结1例2型Dent病患儿临床资料,提高对该病的认识。方法 报道1例2型Dent病患儿的临床发现、相关实验室检查指标和肾活检病理改变。对该家系相关成员行CLCN5和OCRL基因外显子及附近调控区域直接测序,分析突变位点,并文献复习。结果 患儿,男,6岁起病,首发症状为单纯性蛋白尿,未见先天性白内障、智力低下、认知障碍及发育迟缓。实验室检查提示低分子蛋白尿,高钙尿症,镜下血尿,血清乳酸脱氢酶和磷酸肌酸激酶增高,肾活检病理提示轻微病变。患儿CLCN5和OCRL基因测序分析发现,CLCN5基因未见致病性突变,ORCL基因c.260delA(p.Q87fs105X)纯合突变,确诊为2型Dent病。家系OCRL基因突变分析显示,患儿父亲c.260delA未检出突变,母亲携带c.260delA杂合突变。c.260delA突变为移码突变,可导致OCRL基因编码蛋白截短。结论 2型Dent病以低分子蛋白尿、高钙尿症和镜下血尿为特征,血清乳酸脱氢酶、磷酸肌酸激酶增高和OCRL基因纯合移码突变支持2型Dent病诊断。     

先天型白质消融性白质脑病 1 例及其基因突变分析

目的探讨先天型白质消融性白质脑病(VWM)的临床及基因特点。方法回顾性分析1例先天型VWM患儿的临床资料及基因检测结果。结果患儿,男,3月龄,因间断抽搐2个月就诊,出生体质量1 900 g,生后有窒息史;发育落后,不能注视、追视,不能逗笑、抬头,下肢肌张力升高,双眼白内障。头颅CT及MRI可见大脑白质弥漫性异常,与脑脊液信号相同。基因检测结果显示,EIF2B5基因存在错义突变(c.1016GA)和移码突变(c.1809delC),为复合杂合突变,其父母均为杂合子。结论 VWM是遗传性白质脑病之一,先天型极为罕见,诊断需根据临床表现及EIF2B基因分析。移码突变位点c.1809del C国际上尚未见报道。     

STXBP1基因相关脑病患儿的临床表型和基因变异分析

目的 探讨STXBP 1基因相关脑病患儿的临床表型和基因变异情况。方法 回顾性总结2015年10月至2022年5月收治的11例STXBP 1基因相关脑病患儿的临床资料,分析其临床表型、基因结果、治疗及疗效情况。结果 11例患儿中男4例,女7例,10例患儿存在癫痫发作伴发育迟缓,1例患儿仅表现为发育迟缓。癫痫首发年龄为3天～1岁半,3个月以内起病者6例,3～12个月起病者3例,1岁以上起病者1例。常见的发作类型为痉挛和局灶发作。11例患儿均存在脑电图异常包括背景慢、多灶放电、爆发抑制和高度失律等。2例早期为大田原综合征,后期演变为婴儿痉挛症,5例为婴儿痉挛症,余为不能分型的癫痫综合征。4例患儿头颅MRI存在非特异性异常,包括髓鞘化发育落后、额颞部蛛网膜下隙增宽。所有患儿均存在STXBP1基因变异,共有11种突变类型,其中错义突变7例、移码突变1例、剪切突变1例、缺失突变2例,7例患儿的突变位点尚未见文献报道,分别为c.1694T>A、c.1115T>G、C.133＿135del、C. 1543 dupG、6-17号外显子杂合缺失、C. 429+1 G> C、C. 855...     

Allan-Herndon-Dudley综合征4例并文献复习

目的　探讨Allan-Herndon-Dudley综合征（AHDS）患儿临床特征及SLC16A2基因突变特点。方法　回顾性分析2017年2月至2019年12月南京医科大学附属儿童医院收治的4例AHDS患儿临床资料,并对患儿进行全外显子组测序,同时分析文献报道的AHDS患儿临床特点。结果　4例男性患儿均有智力低下、运动障碍、语言发育落后和血清甲状腺激素异常,全外显子测序发现2例患儿存在SLC16A2基因c.504_529del半合子突变,另2例分别存在SLC16A2基因c.1455delG、c.448G＞A半合子突变,4例患儿母亲均为携带者,最终确诊为AHDS。4例患儿均给予综合康复治疗并定期随访。结论　对于不明原因智力运动发育落后、脑白质髓鞘化落后的影像学特征和血清甲状腺激素异常的男性患儿应考虑AHDS诊断的可能,早期完善基因检测有助于确诊、治疗和预后评估。     

先天性糖基化异常 Id 型 1 例临床与基因分析

目的探讨先天性糖基化异常Id型(CDG-Id)的临床及基因特点。方法回顾分析1例CDG-Id型婴儿的临床资料及基因检测结果,并复习相关文献。结果患儿,男,生后2个月开始出现抽搐,运动发育落后于同龄儿,肌力、肌张力偏低。头颅磁共振成像示两侧额颞部脑外间隙增宽,两侧侧脑室饱满。基因测序显示患儿ALG3基因存在两处杂合突变点,分别为c.494AG(p.His165Arg)和c.33del(p.Gly12fs),确诊为CDG-Id。结论 CDG-Id是常染色体隐性遗传病,为CDG中的罕见类型,以神经系统症状最为突出,ALG3基因检测有助诊断。     

Aicardi-Goutières 综合征 4 型 1 例临床和基因分析

目的探讨Aicardi-Goutières综合征(AGS)的临床、影像及遗传学特点。方法回顾分析1例AGS 4型患儿的临床资料及二代基因测序结果,并复习相关文献。结果患儿,女,5个月,临床表现为反复发热,精神运动发育落后,癫痫,小头畸形,痉挛状态。脑脊液淋巴细胞增多;头颅磁共振成像示脑萎缩、脑白质异常;头颅CT示双侧基底节区及脑白质钙化。基因检测发现RNASEH2A基因存在c.199GC、c.322CT复合杂合突变;c.322CT致病性已有文献报道,与AGS 4型相关;c.199 GC致病性尚未见文献报道。结论首次报道我国RNASEH2A基因变异所致AGS。     

丙酮酸脱氢酶复合物缺陷Leigh 综合征2 例临床及PDHA1基因分析

目的探讨PDHA1基因突变所致丙酮酸脱氢酶复合物E1α亚单位缺陷Leigh综合征的临床特点及诊断和治疗。方法回顾分析2例因发育落后就诊,磁共振扫描提示Leigh综合征,并经生化代谢及基因检测确诊患儿的临床资料。结果 2例男性患儿分别于1岁1个月、4个月就诊,发育落后,肌张力障碍,肌力低下;头颅磁共振检查发现双侧基底节区对称性损害;血清丙酮酸、乳酸明显增高,血氨基酸及酯酰肉碱谱无异常。基因分析发现2例患儿X染色体PDHA1基因分别存在c.615CG、c.605AG错义突变,均为未报道的新突变,证实为丙酮酸脱氢酶复合物E1α亚单位缺陷所致Leigh综合征。结论 PDHA1基因突变患儿临床表现复杂多样,对于不明原因的发育落后儿童,应注意线粒体病的可能,基因检测有助于诊断、治疗及遗传咨询。     

甲基丙二酸血症3 例报告并文献复习

目的探讨甲基丙二酸血症(MMA)伴同型半胱氨酸血症(cbl C)的临床及基因突变特点。方法回顾性分析经基因检测确诊的3例MMA患儿的临床资料及基因检测结果,并复习相关文献。结果 3例患儿均为男性。例1患儿26日龄,间断抽搐3 d入院;血甲基丙二酸175.8μmol/L,丙酰肉碱/乙酰肉碱比值(C3/C2)1.363,同型半胱氨酸65μmol/L,脑电图异常,MMACHC基因外显子1缺失,del EXON1未见文献报道。例2患儿12岁,因肢体抖动、抽搐、呕吐入院,血甲基丙二酸334.3μmol/L,C3/C2比值0.37,同型半胱氨酸65μmol/L,脑电图异常,MMACHC基因c.482GA、c.609GA突变。例3患儿3个月,因间断抽搐20 d入院,血甲基丙二酸154.3μmol/L、C3/C2 0.84,MMACHC基因c.394CT、c.540del8突变,其中c.540del8未见报道。文献复习发现,部分MMA患者合并癫痫发作,进一步验证MMACHC基因c.482GA突变可能与晚发型的cbl C相关。结论基因检测有助于MMA的诊断,MMACHC基因c.482GA突变可能与晚发型cbl C相关;del EXON 1、c.540 del 8为新突变。     

Bibliometric data: a disaster for many non-American biomedical journals

Bibliometric data published by the Institute of Scientific Information in Philadelphia (ISI), and which was previously discussed in Acta Paediatrica , has increasingly been used despite all the relevant and severe criticism that has been raised against this method of evaluating individual research results and grading scientific journals. It is obvious that the present trend regarding the use of bibliometric data as a basis for priorities and funding of research and for the promotion of individual scientists favours American-oriented research projects at the expense of those that are based on concepts of predominantly European relevance.

Conclusion: For the future of non-American research, it is important that no single super-power, i.e. the USA, should dominate scientific priorities. The condition for efficient European competition is that European Centres with high levels of competence for creative research and training of scientists from all over the world are established. In addition, it is important that the results of European research are published in prestigious European journals, as was the situation before World War II.     

alpha -SMOOTH MUSCLE ACTIN DISTRIBUTION IN THE PULMONARY VASCULATURE COMPARING HYPOPLASTIC AND NORMAL FETAL LUNGS

We investigated the intra-acinar pulmonary vascular muscularization in the developing human fetal lung between the 17th and 24th gestational weeks, that is, during the canalicular phase of lung development. Fifteen hypoplastic and 25 normal developed lungs were included in this study using monoclonal alpha -smooth muscle (sm) actin antibodies for smooth muscle detection. Computer-aided image analysis was performed for morphometrical measurements and statistical evaluation. Alphasm-actin-immunoreactive intra-acinar vessels down to a luminal diameter of less than 10 mu m were detected in hypoplastic as well as in normally developed lungs. Crucial differences presented as follows: significantly higher density of intra-acinar vessels, especially due to alpha -sm-actin-negative vessels less than 30 mu m in luminal diameter, in the control group; significantly higher alpha -sm-actin immunoreactivity per section unit as well as per vessel in the hypoplastic lung group. As suggested by others, alpha-sm-actin-positive cells of the intra-acinar vessel wall in the developing human lung were demonstrated to be smooth muscle cells, their immediate precursors, and pericytes. We conclude that the increased alpha -sm-actin immunoreactivity represents muscularization of the vessel wall in functional terms and may be regarded as one structural cause among others for the establishment of persistent fetal circulation in hypoplastic lungs.     

Whole-body mineral measurements in Swedish adolescents at 17 years compared to 15 years of age

Aim: To provide reference data for bone mineral variables in 15- and 17-y-old adolescents and to analyse the relationships between these variables and measures of bone and body size, gender, puberty, growth, various lifestyle and environmental factors and socioeconomic background.

Methods: In the same 321 randomly selected adolescents (147 boys and 174 girls) living in two different regions of Sweden, the total bone mineral content (TBMC), bone area (BA) and total bone mineral density (TBMD) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at ages 15 and 17 y. The effects of bone and body size, gender, growth, sexual maturity, physical activity, region of domicile, social conditions, food habits, smoking and alcohol intake on TBMC and TBMD were examined in multivariate analyses.

Results: In the 15-y-old adolescents, BA, height, gender, physical activity, maturity and weight explained 91% and 48%, of the variance in TBMC and TBMD, respectively. In similar analyses in the 17-y-olds, the corresponding figures were 92% and 62%, respectively, when BA, height, growth, physical activity, gender and region emerged as significant in the model. In all these analyses, BA explained most of the variance in TBMC and TBMD. No significant reduction of variance was found when different measures of social conditions, smoking, food habits, alcohol or dietary intakes of energy, calcium or vitamin D were included in the models. The reason why region of domicile had a significant impact on TBMC in the 17-y-olds is not known. The fact that the normal fluoride concentration in drinking water (1.1 mg/L) is 10 times higher in the region where TBMC was higher than in the other region is an interesting observation.

Conclusion: Almost 90% of the variance in TBMC and 50% of that in TBMD was explained by measures of bone and body size and only a few percent by gender, physical activity, Tanner stage, growth and region of domicile.     

VARICELLA ZOSTER VIRUS INFECTIONS IN THE PEDIATRIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANT PATIENT

Varicella zoster virus (VZV), a member of the human herpesvirus family, causes the clinical syndromes of chickenpox during primary infection and shingles on later reactivation. In immunocompromised patients, including those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, VZV can produce life-threatening infections. The most serious forms of VZV infection involve hematogenous dissemination of the virus to vital organs, such as the lung, brain, and liver. Advances in immunoprophylaxis, antiviral chemotherapy, and vaccine development have provided effective tools to limit the morbidity and mortality previously associated with VZV infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. In this review, we discuss virologic aspects of VZV, pathogenesis of VZV infection, methods of viral diagnosis, clinical manifestations of infection in both normal and immunocompromised patients, and available preventative and therapeutic measures.     

The potential role of rapamycin in pediatric transplantation as observed from adult studies

Although pediatric patient and renal graft survival rates have shown marked improvements during the past decade, the persistent toxicities of immunosuppressive drugs and chronic allograft attrition remain major obstacles in transplant therapy. Results in adult patients suggest that complete steroid withdrawal is possible in the majority of recipients under treatment with a cyclosporin A-rapamycin (CsA RAPA) regimen. Furthermore, preliminary studies suggest that a marked reduction in the dose of CsA may be possible under the umbrella of RAPA coverage. The gain in immunosuppressive efficacy afforded by RAPA has not only been obtained without an increased morbidity owing to infectious or neoplastic causes, but also with the potential for reducing the incidence and/or progression of chronic rejection.     

Génétique des schizophrénies : mise en perspective des schizophrénies à début précoce et autres pathologies du développement

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe brain disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, flat and/or inappropriate affect and cognitive impairment. The lifetime risk is about 0.5% with heritability of 65–85%. The prevalence of early-onset schizophrenia (defined here as before 15 years of age) has not been well studied, but is likely to be 5–10% of all cases. The rarity of early-onset SCZ has made it difficult to study. We focus on genetic studies of adults with schizophrenia, highlighting results for early-onset schizophrenia where available. Prior to the past 5 years, studies failed to find replicable association or linkage between SCZ and specific genes when appropriate statistical corrections for multiple testing were used. Many false positive results were probably reported using the candidate gene approach. Recently, the development of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) “chips” has permitted large genome-wide association study (GWAS) analyses that suggest that across all age groups, a proportion of genetic risk can be attributed to a large number of common SNP, each with a very small effect on risk (odds ratios of 1.1 or less). The greatest known genetic effect is conferred by the 1.5–3 Mb 22q.11.2 deletions, which occurs in ∼ 1/4000–1/6000 births with SCZ developing in 20–30% of carriers. Large SNP and aCGH microarray studies have now identified associations between SCZ and other rare, large copy number variations (CNV, insertions and deletions) with high odds ratios (5–10), including deletions of 1q21, 2p16.3 (neurexin-1 gene), 3q29 and 15q13.3, and duplications of 16p11.2. Some of these CNV are also associated with autism or other developmental disorders as well as epilepsy or intellectual deficiency, suggesting some overlap in the mechanisms that contribute to risks of these disorders. Based on preliminary data from larger-scale analyses in progress, approximately 1–2% of cases carry a CNV that has been clearly associated with SCZ (ORs 4–12). Whole exome and genome sequencing studies of large adult samples will be the next steps to identify rarer SCZ-associated mutations, including point mutations and smaller as well as rarer CNV. Genetic findings are beginning to contribute to an understanding of biological mechanisms of SCZ risk and may lead to new approaches to treatment.     

INACTIVATION OF PULMONARY SURFACTANT AND THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE LUNG INJURIES

Inactivation of pulmonary surfactant may be important in acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Treatment of surfactant dysfunction by instilling exogenous surfactants may improve gas exchange and pulmonary mechanics. Surfactants used for treatment vary in their attributes and effects, so when various surfactants are considered for therapy, resistance to inactivation is an important consideration. Animal models of acute lung injury exist in which the relative merits of surfactants can be compared. We hypothesize that the surfactants most resistant to inactivation in vitro will be the ones that are most effective in treatment of animal models of acute lung injury. Surfactants with higher concentrations of surfactant proteins (specifically A, B, and C) are more resistant to inactivation. Nonionic polymers mimic surfactant proteins in preventing surfactant inactivation under some conditions. Adding nonionic polymers to surfactant containing minimal amounts of SP-B and SP-C markedly improves lung function of animals with lung injury. Making surfactants more "inactivation-proof" may improve surfactant therapy of acute lung injuries.     

Plasma Proinsulin and C-Peptide Concentrations in Children with Hyperinsulinaemic Hypoglycaemia

ABSTRACT. Plasma concentrations of proinsulin and C-peptide were measured in five children presenting with svere hypoglycaemia associated with elevated plasma levels of immunoreactive insulin (IRI) in order to determine whether the profile of circulating B-cell products related to the underlying pathophysiology of the pancreas. Results were compared with data from 13 normal infants. Four children, three neonates and a nine year old girl, were subjected to partial or total pancreatectomy. The neonates had nesidioblastosis, nesidioblastosis with a microadenoma, and a functional abnormality without histological derangement respectively; the older child had a localised adenoma. The remaining child, a neonate, had transient hypoglycaemia and elevated IRI levels associated with hyperlactataemia and hyperalaninae-mia. All the children had markedly elevated plasma proinsulin concentrations; the highest levels were seen in the child with an isolated adenoma and in the neonate with nesidioblastosis and a microadenoma. Both of these children also had substantially elevated plasma C-peptide concentrations. The remaining three neonates had plasma C-peptide levels, which although in the normal range for normoglycaemia were inappropriately elevated during hypoglycaemia. It is concluded that elevated proinsulin and C-peptide concentrations are seen in children with hypoglycaemia associated with increased plasma IRI levels and that the profile of the concentrations does not provide a reliable marker for the nature of the underlying pancreatic abnormality.     

Growth tracks in early childhood

Aim: Child growth is modulated by numerous factors and, particularly in infancy and early childhood, often tends to follow apparently irregular patterns, with many centiles crossed before the later growth channels are reached. The aim of this study was to visualize the diversity of individual growth. Design: The study investigated 333 girls and 329 boys without chronic illnesses from four paediatric practices in Kiel, Germany. The children were measured on natural     

Residual pulmonary hypertension in children after treatment with inhaled nitric oxide: a follow-up study regarding cardiopulmonary and neurological symptoms

Inhaled nitric oxide is a potent vasodilator in acute severe pulmonary hypertension and is increasingly used as rescue treatment in intensive care algorithms aiming at reducing severe hypoxaemia in neonates and children. Although the immediate effects may seem impressive, longterm outcome regarding residual pulmonary hypertension and other sequelae has been studied in only a very few patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate residual pulmonary hypertension, cardiopulmonary or neurological symptoms in children after treatment with inhaled nitric oxide in severely hypoxaemic and/or pulmonary hypertensive mechanically ventilated children. The study was performed in four paediatric intensive care units in university hospitals in Sweden, Norway and Australia. Patients who had received inhaled nitric oxide as part of their intensive care treatment for severe hypoxaemia and/or pulmonary hypertension, and in whom 6 mo had elapsed since treatment, were included for evaluation. Thus 36 paediatric or neonatal patients were examined for circulatory, respiratory or neurological disorders with clinical examination, echocardiography, chest X-ray and a capillary blood sample. Four patients with congenital heart disease had residual pulmonary hypertension. Nine patients were receiving bronchodilators. Sixteen patients had minor (n = 15) or moderate (n = 1) changes on a chest X-ray. One patient had a possible delay in psychomotor development. Conclusions: In spite of the severity of their primary illness, we found that the overwhelming majority of the surviving children were asymptomatic and doing well. The few residual circulatory and respiratory symptoms could be related to the initial condition.