Diabetes mellitus and profound insulin resistance in Johanson-Blizzard syndrome

Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency in Johanson-Blizzard syndrome (JBS) is well described but only two previous patient reports document pancreatic endocrine insufficiency manifested as diabetes mellitus, and each patient required only a modest dose of insulin to control hyperglycemia. We report a patient with JBS and new-onset diabetes mellitus with profound insulin resistance, with no clinical or laboratory evidence of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.     

Enteroinsular hormones in two siblings with Donohue syndrome and complete leptin deficiency

The main biochemical hallmark of the rare and lethal condition of Donohue syndrome (DS) is hyperinsulinemia. The roles of the gut and other pancreatic hormones involved in glucose metabolism, satiety and energy expenditure have not been previously reported in DS. Two siblings with genetically confirmed DS and extremely low weight underwent a mixed meal (MM) test where pancreatic hormones insulin, C‐peptide, glucagon, active amylin, pancreatic polypeptide (PP) as well as gut hormones active glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1), glucose‐dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), ghrelin, peptide YY (PYY) and leptin were analyzed using a Multiplex assay. Results were compared to those of 2 pediatric controls. As expected, concentrations of insulin, C‐peptide and amylin were very high in DS cases. The serum glucagon concentration was undetectable at the time of hypoglycemia. GIPs concentrations were lower in the DS, however, this was not mimicked by the other incretin, GLP‐1. Ghrelin concentrations were mainly undetectable (<13.7 pg/mL) in all participants. DS cases had higher PYY and dampened PP concentrations. Leptin levels remained completely undetectable (<137.0 pg/mL). Patients with DS have extremely high amylin levels, completely undetectable serum glucagon and leptin levels with abnormal satiety regulating hormone PP with a relatively normal ghrelin response during a MM test. The low serum GIP might be acting as physiological brake on insulin secretion. The undetectable serum leptin levels suggest the potential of using leptin analogues as therapy for DS patients.     

Shwachman's syndrome: pathomorphosis and long-term outcome.

BACKGROUND: Shwachman's syndrome is the second most common cause of inherited/congenital pancreatic insufficiency after cystic fibrosis. The main associated features are usually cyclic neutropenia, metaphyseal dysostosis, and growth retardation. Other organs or functions may be involved in this syndrome, showing a wide range of abnormalities and symptoms. There are reports of Shwachman's syndrome in childhood, but little is known about the long-term clinical course of these patients. This article reports on the pathomorphosis and long-term follow-up of 13 patients with Shwachman's syndrome diagnosed in infancy focusing, in particular, on modifications of the exocrine pancreatic function over time. METHODS: Exocrine pancreatic function was evaluated by duodenal intubation followed by a pancreatic stimulation test. Nutritional, biochemical, hematologic, radiologic, and psychological evaluations were performed at various intervals. Six patients were included in long-term follow-up evaluation. RESULTS: At diagnosis, growth retardation was present in all patients, and all subjects showed pancreatic insufficiency. Hematologic features (intermittent neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia), respiratory infection during the first years of life, and skeletal abnormalities were also frequently observed. Other associated features at diagnosis included hepatic involvement and occasional renal dysfunction. In the six patients followed up, a significant growth improvement was observed. In five of them the pancreatic stimulation test showed values of lipase within reference range outputs, whereas fat balance or fecal fat losses were normal in all but one subject. Of seven subjects assessed by psychological evaluation, IQ test results were markedly abnormal in one and bordered on abnormality in the others. CONCLUSIONS: The present data on Shwachman's syndrome diagnosed in infancy underline the possibility of improvement or normalization of exocrine pancreatic function with age, suggesting the need for periodic checks on pancreatic activity in these subjects. It also indicates the possibility of diagnosis of this syndrome in the absence of pancreatic insufficiency; decreasing frequency of infections over time; and the usefulness of early neuropsychological evaluation.     

Hypertransaminasemia as a manifestation of Shwachman-Diamond syndrome

Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS) is the second most common cause of congenital exocrine pancreatic insufficiency after cystic fibrosis. SDS is an autosomal recessive multisystemic disorder, with wide heterogenicity in its clinical characteristics. The central features of this syndrome are pancreatic exocrine and bone marrow dysfunction (mainly neutropenia). Other features are skeletal abnormalities, hepatomegaly, elevation of serum aminotransferase levels, short stature and frequent infections. We present two patients who were referred to us because of persistent hypertransaminasemia. In both patients, liver function returned to normal and pancreatic function improved. Both patients showed several neutropenic episodes but no bone disorders, which does not exclude the diagnosis.     

LATE PRESENTATION OF SHWACHMAN'S SYNDROME

ABSTRACT. Shwachman's syndrome is a rare cause of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency in childhood. It is usually associated with poor growth, neutropaenia and dyschondroplasia of bone metaphyses. Numerous associated congenital abnormalities and hereditary conditions have been described. The vast majority of cases are diagnosed before the age of two. The case described is of a girl presenting with steatorrhoea at age fourteen. Although of small stature, she had been completely well until that time. While survival of infantile cases into adolescence is reported, presentation of the condition in later years is rare and Shwachman's syndrome should therefore be considered as a possible cause of pancreatic insufficiency in older children and adolescents.     

Johanson-Blizzard syndrome: a case report]

The Johanson-Blizzard syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive syndrome. This syndrome includes congenital aplasia of the cutis, aplasia of the alae nasi, bilateral hearing loss, dental malformations and pancreatic insufficiency. CASE REPORT: We report a sporadic case male infant from nonconsanguineous parents. He presented aplasia of the cutis and high anorectal malformation, associated with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. A colostomy was performed at birth and anorectal atresia was corrected surgically at two months. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency required immediate enzyme supplementation.     

Johanson-Blizzard综合征一例及文献复习

目的 提高对Johanson-Blizzard综合征(JBS)的临床和诊断特点的认识.方法 讨论1例患儿的临床表现及诊断过程,运用基因检测的结果对诊断加以明确.并综合其他28例有详细临床资料的病例进行分析.结果 本例为女性,1岁9个月,以"脂肪泻"收治入院,出生后伴有肛门闭锁、鼻翼发育不全.现生长发育落后,智力发育落后,伴有头发稀疏及少牙畸形;便常规镜检脂肪球(++),血脂肪酶、淀粉酶及胰岛素、C肽水平偏低;腹部CT扫描见胰腺组织为脂肪组织替代;UBRI基因检测发现杂合错义突变,确诊JBS.在包括本例共计29例病例分析中,胰腺外分泌功能不全和鼻翼发育不全最为常见,分别为21例(72.4%)和27例(93%);18例(62%)伴有生长发育异常;17例(59%)伴有神经性听觉减退或丧失;头皮缺损和头发稀疏或异常卷曲分别有20例(69%)和13例(44.8%);甲状腺功能低下13例(44.8%);牙齿畸形13例(44.8%);肛门闭锁6例(21%).但是近亲结婚并不常见(3/29,10.3%).结论 JBS是一种罕见的、伴有独特先天性多发畸形的遗传性疾病,其特征表现是先天性胰腺外分泌不足伴有鼻翼发育不全或缺失,可以通过典型临床表现及UBRI基因检测加以明确.

Abstract：

Objective To study the clinical characteristics and diagnosis of the Johanson-Blizzard syndrome. Method The clinical characteristics and diagnosing procedure of 1 case with Johanson-Blizzard syndrome were analyzed, and genetic analysis was made in diagnosing procedure, and 28 cases of JohansonBlizzard syndrome with detailed clinical data were reviewed and analized. Result A one year and nine months old girl, who was initially admitted to the hospital because of fatty diarrhea and increased frequency of defecation. Imperforate anus, and aplastic alae nasi was noticed after birth. On physical examination,short stature, mental retardation, tooth abnormalities and scalp defects were observed. Fat globule was found by routine stool test. Serum biochemistry showed an exocrine and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency, CT scan of the abdomen demonstrated fatty replacement of the pancreas, UBRI gene analysis showed heterozygous for two missense changes. In all 29 cases, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency ( 72. 4% ) and hypoplasia of the alae nasi ( 93% ) were the most common clinical manifestations, and sensorineural hearing 1oss(59% ), scalp defects (69%) and hair thinning or upsweep of the hair (44. 8% ), hypothyroidism (44. 8% ), absence of permanent teeth (44. 8% )and imperforate anus(21% ) were also very common, but did not include consanguineous marriage of paerents( 10. 3% ). Conclusion Johanson-Blizzard syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive multisystem disorder, it is characterized by the association of congenital exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and hypoplasia or aplasia of the nasal wings, and can be diagnosed by clinical characteristics and UBRI gene analysis.     

Bone marrow features in Pearson syndrome with neonatal onset: A case report and review of the literature

Pearson syndrome (PS) is a rare mitochondrial disorder that usually presents with transfusion‐dependent macrocytic anemia, exocrine pancreatic dysfunction, and lactic acidosis. Typical bone marrow (BM) features are vacuolization in hematopoietic progenitors, hypocellularity, and ringed sideroblasts. At the neonatal age, PS may have a variable clinical onset. Moreover, there is little information about BM features at this age and the timing of their presentation. We report a neonatal case of PS that presented with refractory anemia and atypical BM features. We reviewed the BM findings in neonatal‐onset PS cases to stress the importance and limitations of BM evaluation at this age.     

Shwachman-Diamond syndrome. A case report

Shwachman-Diamond syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, bone marrow dysfunction, skeletal abnormalities, and short stature. We describe the clinical characteristics, laboratory data, and treatment in a 14-month-old boy diagnosed with this syndrome in our unit.     

Pancreatic endocrine function in cystic fibrosis

To characterize pancreatic endocrine secretion and to examine interrelationships among alterations in alpha, beta, and pancreatic polypeptide cell function in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), we studied 19 patients with exocrine insufficiency (EXO), including 9 receiving insulin therapy (EXO-IT); 10 patients with no exocrine insufficiency (NEXO); and 10 normal control subjects. First-phase C-peptide response to intravenously administered glucose was significantly impaired in CF patients with exocrine insufficiency (EXO-IT = 0.02 +/- 0.01; EXO = 0.11 +/- 0.02; NEXO = 0.25 +/- 0.05; control subjects = 0.30 +/- 0.04 nmol/L). Lowering fasting glucose levels with exogenous insulin administration in EXO-IT did not improve beta cell responsivity to glucose. The C-peptide response to arginine was less impaired (EXO-IT = 0.12 +/- 0.02; EXO = 0.15 +/- 0.02; NEXO = 0.23 +/- 0.06; control subjects = 0.28 +/- 0.04 nmol/L). Alpha cell function, measured as peak glucagon secretion in response to hypoglycemia, was diminished in EXO but not NEXO (EXO-IT = 21 +/- 10; EXO = 62 +/- 19; NEXO = 123 +/- 29; control subjects = 109 +/- 12 ng/L). Despite diminished glucagon response, EXO patients recovered normally from hypoglycemia. Peak pancreatic polypeptide response to hypoglycemia distinguished CF patients with exocrine insufficiency from those without exocrine insufficiency (EXO-IT = 3 +/- 2; EXO = 3 +/- 1; NEXO = 226 +/- 68; control subjects = 273 +/- 100 pmol/L). Thus CF patients with exocrine disease have less alpha, beta, and pancreatic polypeptide cell function than CF patients without exocrine disease. These data suggest either that exocrine disease causes endocrine dysfunction in CF or that a common pathogenic process simultaneously and independently impairs exocrine and endocrine function.     

Cystic fibrosis serum pancreatic amylase. Useful discriminator of exocrine function

To develop a simple test for pancreatic exocrine function in patients with cystic fibrosis, we compared serum pancreatic amylase isoenzyme (P isoamylase) activity with the more complex standard tests of pancreatic function. Twenty-seven patients with cystic fibrosis, newborn to 46 years of age, were studied. All patients over 17 months old with evidence of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, as manifested by abnormal duodenal secretions and/or abnormal 72-hour fecal fat absorption, had serum P isoamylase activity below the age-matched normal range; patients with adequate pancreatic function (aged 2 to 46 years) had P isoamylase activity in or above the normal range. Although both normal neonates and neonates with cystic fibrosis have very low levels of serum P isoamylase activity, in patients over 1 1/2 years of age serum P isoamylase activity may serve as a simple and useful discriminator of pancreatic exocrine function in patients with cystic fibrosis.     

Pancreatic exocrine and endocrine function after pancreatectomy for persistent hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia of infancy.

AIM: To evaluate long term detailed pancreatic endocrine and exocrine function in children with persistent hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia of infancy (PHHI) after 85-95% pancreatectomy. METHODS: Six children with PHHI between 0.9 and 12.7 years after pancreatic resection underwent clinical and investigative follow up at 1.0 to 14.9 years of age. One child with PHHI who had not had pancreatectomy was also assessed. Standard endocrine assessment, pancreatic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and detailed direct and indirect tests of exocrine pancreatic function were performed. RESULTS: Pancreozymin-secretin stimulation test results were normal in only one child, borderline in two, and deficient in four, one of whom requires daily pancreatic enzyme supplements. Pancreolauryl tests performed in three children were borderline in two and abnormal in the other. Only one child had low faecal chymotrypsin values. One child developed insulin dependent diabetes at 9 years and two children at 1.0 and 13.3 years require diazoxide to maintain normoglycaemia. MRI showed no major regrowth of the pancreatic remnant after resection (n = 5). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical evidence of endocrine or exocrine dysfunction has developed in only two patients to date, but detailed pancreatic function testing suggests subclinical deficiency in all but one of our patients with PHHI. Although 95% pancreatectomy results in postoperative control of blood glucose, subclinical pancreatic insufficiency is present on long term follow up and development of diabetes mellitus and exocrine failure remain ongoing risks.     

Mitochondriopathie bei einem Kind mit Shwachman-Syndrom und Zöliakie Fallbericht

Background. The Shwachman syndrome represents one of the causes of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, surpassed in incidence only by cystic fibrosis. It is a heriditary multi-organ disease with effects on pancreatic function, hematopoesis and growth of cartilage and bone. Case report. In our case, who presented with a rare combination of celiac disease and diabetes mellitus, we want to emphasise the large variability of clinical signs and symptoms. The pathogenesis of Shwachman syndrome is not delineated. The case presented here showed a respiratory-chain-defect in complex II, IV and V in fibroblast culture. Conclusions. We propose patients with Shwachman syndrome to investigate for respiratory-chain defect. This could help for better classification and diagnosis of this syndrome.     

Diabetes mellitus, exocrine pancreatic deficiency, hypertrichosis, hyperpigmentation, and chronic inflammation: confirmation of a syndrome

Abstract:  Type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by dysregulation of the immune system leading to inflammation and selective destruction of pancreatic beta cells. Mild to moderate pancreatic exocrine insufficiency is found in patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes mellitus may also be part of a syndrome occasionally involving hair and skin abnormalities. We report our observations on two siblings with insulin-dependent diabetes, severe exocrine pancreatic deficiency, pigmented hypertrichotic skin patches with induration and chronic inflammation. The first sibling presented at the age of 9 months with hypertrichosis and hyperpigmentation, particularly on her back and legs and then developed diabetes mellitus at the age of 4 yr. The second sibling presented with exactly the same clinical features but at a later age of 12 yr. Both siblings had severe pancreatic exocrine deficiency with chronic persistent inflammation. Some of the clinical features in these siblings resemble those described by Prendiville et al. although our patients had additional features. The chronic inflammatory response in both siblings is highly suggestive of some form of immune dysregulation. The presence of consanguinity in the parents and similarity of clinical features in the siblings are suggestive of a novel autoimmune disorder, possibly secondary to autosomal recessive inheritance.     

Neonatal diabetes mellitus due to pancreas agenesis: a new case report and review of the literature

Neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) is a rare condition (1:400 000 neonates) defined as hyperglycemia occurring in the first months of life, lasting more than 2 wk and requiring insulin for management. We here report on a 33-month-old girl with pancreatic agenesis, an extremely rare cause of permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus (PNDM). Timely diagnosis and adequate treatment of both endocrine and exocrine insufficiency may permit survival and normal development.     

Persistent hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia in a newborn infant

Management of neonatal hyperglycemia is complex, especially in immature newborns. Etiology is diverse, the most frequent cause being iatrogeny. Neonatal diabetes mellitus is a rare cause of hyperglycemia during the first days of life. Insulin treatment is sometimes required to control the condition. When insulin requirements exceed 2I U/kg/day insulin resistance syndrome should be suspected. We present the case of a newborn infant with Donohue syndrome, or leprechaunism, which is a rare, genetically determined dysmorphic syndrome leading to significant insulin resistance.     

Novel <Emphasis Type="Italic">UBR1</Emphasis> gene mutation in a patient with typical phenotype of Johanson–Blizzard syndrome

Johanson–Blizzard syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by exocrine pancreatic deficiency and a wide range of other abnormalities. We present here an infant with failure to thrive, exocrine pancreatic deficiency, short stature and developmental delay, cutis aplasia on the scalp, aplasia of alae nasi, hypospadias, hypothyroidism, myxomatous mitral valve, and patent ductus arteriosus. Molecular studies revealed a novel homozygous nonsense mutation in exon 38 of the UBR1 gene, which confirmed the diagnosis of Johanson–Blizzard syndrome. It should be acknowledged that the combination of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and nasal wing hypo-aplasia is pathognomonic for this syndrome. Prompt diagnosis and exact monitoring of the patients with JBS are required to avoid further complications.     

Johanson-Blizzard syndrome

Johanson-Blizzard syndrome is an extremely rare ectodermal dysplastic disorder characterized by aplasia or hypoplasia of alae nasi, midline scalp defects, growth retardation, varying degrees of mental retardation, hypothyroidism, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and congenital deafness. This condition is supposed to be an autosomal recessive disorder. We are reporting a female neonate with the characteristic features and an uncommon less emphasized feature viz. café-aulait spots.     

Wolcott–Rallison syndrome due to the same mutation (W522X) in EIF2AK3 in two unrelated families and review of the literature*

Ozbek MN, Senée V, Aydemir S, Kotan LD, Mungan NO, Yuksel B, Julier C, Topaloglu AK. Wolcott–Rallison syndrome due to the same mutation (W522X) in EIF2AK3 in two unrelated families and review of the literature. Wolcott‐Rallison syndrome (WRS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by an early‐infancy‐onset diabetes mellitus associated with a variety of multisystemic clinical manifestations. Here, we present six patients with WRS, carrying the same homozygous mutation (EIF2AK3‐W522X), from two unrelated Turkish families. This is the largest series of patients with the same mutation for this rare syndrome. In this communication we compare clinical features of these six patients with the other 34 patients who have been reported to date, and review the clinical features of WRS. All WRS patients presented first with symptoms of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, with a mean age at onset of 2 months. All patients had skeletal dysplasia or early signs of it, and growth retardation. Many of the patients with WRS have been reported to have developmental delay, mental retardation, and learning difficulties; in contrast, none of our patients showed abnormal development at age up to 30 months. Acute attacks of hepatic failure were reported in 23 cases out of 37 patients; in 15 of those 23 cases an acute attack of renal failure accompanied the liver failure. Exocrine pancreatic deficiency has been reported in only four cases other than our four patients. Central hypothyroidism was observed in six of 28 cases. We propose that central hypothyroidism is not a component of WRS, but rather a reflection of euthyroid sick syndrome. Four of our patients experienced severe neutropenia, compared to only five of the 27 other cases, suggesting that the W522X mutation may be specifically associated with neutropenia. Other than the consistent features of diabetes mellitus and epiphyseal dysplasia, WRS patients are otherwise characterized by extensive phenotypic variability that correlates poorly to genotype.