Relapsing encephalopathy with cerebellar ataxia are caused by variants involving p.Arg756 in ATP1A3

Mutations in ATP1A3 lead to different phenotypes having in common acute neurological decompensation episodes triggered by a specific circumstance and followed by sequelae. Alongside Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC), Rapid-onset Dystonia Parkinsonism (RDP) and Cerebellar ataxia, Areflexia, Pes cavus, Optic atrophy, Sensorineural hearing loss syndrome (CAPOS), a new Relapsing Encephalopathy with Cerebellar Ataxia (RECA) phenotype was published in 2015. We describe herein eight new pediatric cases. Most of them had no specific history when the first neurological decompensation episode occurred, before the age of 5 years, triggered by fever with severe paralytic hypotonia followed by ataxia with or without abnormal movements. Neurological sequelae with ataxia as the predominant symptom were present after the first episode in three cases and after at least one subsequent relapse in five cases. Five of the eight cases had a familial involvement with one of the two parents affected. The phenotype–genotype correlation is unequivocal with the causal substitution always located at position 756. The pathophysiology of the dysfunctions of the mutated ATPase pump, triggered by fever is unknown. Severe recurrent neurological decompensation episodes triggered by fever, without any metabolic cause, should lead to the sequencing of ATP1A3.     

原发性肠淋巴瘤p53基因与13q14染色体变异与预后的关系

目的：临床发现尽管原发性肠淋巴瘤的免疫表型相同,但预后也可以截然不同,提示其预后不是单一因素所决定的,可能还与其基因或染色体的变异有关。p53基因是一种重要的抑癌基因,13q14缺失是多种淋巴细胞增殖性疾病常见的染色体异常,该研究拟探讨p53基因与13q14染色体变异在原发性肠淋巴瘤的预后判断、指导治疗中的作用,为临床治疗方案的制定提供依据。方法：采用改良的FISH技术检测了30例原发性肠淋巴瘤及10例淋巴结反应性增生患者的石蜡切片中p53基因及13q14染色体变异情况,分析其与原发性肠淋巴瘤预后的关系。结果：①Ⅰ~Ⅱ期患者中22.7%有p53基因缺失,Ⅲ~Ⅳ期患者中75.0%有p53基因缺失（χ2=6.903, P<0.01）;②MALT淋巴瘤中14.3%有p53基因缺失,非MALT淋巴瘤中56.3%有p53基因缺失（χ2=5.662, P<0.05）;③p53基因缺失者平均生存期为13.4月,明显短于p53基因正常者36.1月（t=2.637,P<0.05）;④13q14缺失在原发性肠淋巴瘤中发生率为40%,但在10例淋巴结反应性增生患者的石蜡切片中未检测到。13q14缺失与原发性肠淋巴瘤病理类型、临床分期以及平均生存期的关系不大;⑤p53基因缺失与13q14缺失无明显相关性。结论：p53基因缺失在非MALT淋巴瘤及Ⅲ~Ⅳ期患者中发生率较高。p53基因缺失的原发性肠淋巴瘤病例恶性程度高、预后差,宜早期联合化疗。13q14缺失与患者预后无明显相关性。［中国当代儿科杂志,2009,11（7）：555-558］     

A new case of an interstitial deletion (4)(q25q27) characterised by molecular cytogenetic techniques and review of the literature

Interstitial deletions of the long arm of chromosome 4 involving the region 4q25-q27 are rare. Clinical features of patients carrying such a deletion include craniofacial and skeletal anomalies, malformations of the eye, cardiac abnormalities, congenital hypotonia, and developmental retardation. Here we report a new case of a de novo interstitial deletion 4(q25q27) in a girl with congenital malformations and findings of Rieger syndrome. The abnormal chromosome 4 was characterised by G-banding and molecular cytogenetic methods including comparative genomic hybridisation and two-colour fluorescent in situ hybridisation with band-specific probes. CONCLUSION: this report highlights the importance of high quality banding and fluorescent in situ hybridisation analyses to screen for subtle chromosome 4q25-q27 aberrations in patients with clinical features of Rieger syndrome.     

13q33.2 deletion: a rare cause of ambiguous genitalia in a male newborn with growth restriction

13q deletion is a rare cause of ambiguous genitalia in the male newborn, and can be associated with mental retardation of varying degree, retinoblastoma, and malformations of the brain, eye, genitourinary and gastrointestinal tract, depending on the level of the deletion. We present a male neonate with ambiguous genitalia and IUGR with a 13q33.2 deletion, and a paternal balanced translocation. Microarray analysis found the genes involved to be on chromosome 13 in the region 102989254bp–109214509bp. This deletion encompasses the EFNB2 gene, which has been implicated in genital malformations in 13q deletion cases. Conclusions: We find a link between haploinsufficiency of the EFNB2 gene and the presence of ambiguous genitalia and hypospadia in patients with a 13q.33 deletion. This work emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis of this condition due to the link with mental retardation and the need for follow up and management.     

Recombinant chromosome 4 resulting from a maternal pericentric inversion in two sisters presenting consistent dysmorphic features

The chromosome 4 inversion with breakpoints p13–p15q35 results in a recombinant 4 [rec(4)] chromosome with a partial 4p duplication/4q deletion in approximately 80% of the carriers’ offspring. However, whether the recombinant 4p syndrome can be recognized as a clinical entity is still open to controversy. We report on two sisters diagnosed with rec(4) resulting in a partial 4p trisomy/4q deletion that was inherited from their mother, who is a carrier of inv(4)(p14q35). Both probands presented phenotypes consistent with those observed in other children with rec(4)parental, supporting the porposal that the rec(4)parental syndrome is a distinct entity among dup(4p) cases and may be suspected on the basis of the pattern of clinical symptoms. To the best of our knowledge this is only the second report of family with two probands affected with a recombinant chromosome 4 arising from a parental pericentric inversion.     

Hypoparathyroidism and 22q11 deletion syndrome

Aims: To investigate a population of individuals with 22q11 deletion syndrome for hypocalcaemia. Methods: A detailed clinical history enquiring into symptoms of hypocalcaemia and blood sampling to assess for hypocalcaemia and hypoparathyroidism, of patients outside the neonatal period known to have the 22q11 microdeletion from fluorescent in situ hybridisation studies was taken. Results: Sixty one individuals were identified, of whom 23 were untraceable and one was unable to give informed consent. Biochemical investigations were performed on 27 subjects. Ten subjects had review of notes only. Four subjects had previously identified hypoparathyroidism. A new case of hypoparathyroidism was identified. Three subjects had borderline hypocalcaemia. Discussion: In this population of patients with 22q11 deletion syndrome, 13% of the total or 30% of those biochemically assessed had evidence of reduced serum calcium concentrations. It is likely that 13–30% of patients with 22q11 deletion syndrome have possible hypoparathyroidism outside the neonatal period. Reported symptoms of hypocalcaemia did not correlate with biochemical evidence of persisting hypocalcaemia. We have shown that previously undiagnosed asymptomatic hypoparathyroidism occurs in patients with 22q11 deletion syndrome and conclude that screening of this population should be considered.     

Constitutional retinoblastoma gene deletion in Egyptian patients

Background  Retinoblastoma is a neuroblastic tumor of childhood with an incidence of 1: 20 000. Retinoblastoma gene (Rb1) is a tumor suppressor gene that is located on the long arm of chromosome 13 at region 14. This study was to evaluate the constitutional monoallelic Rb1 deletion among retinoblastoma families. Methods  Nine families with an affected Rb proband were evaluated. Clinical examination, pedigree analysis, and complete eye examination were given to patients, their sibs and parents. Standard cytogenetic and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses were carried out for all of them. Also, two sib fetuses were tested for Rb1 deletion. Results  No dysmorphic features were detected in any patient. Developmental milestones were within normal limit except in one proband who had a mild delay. The age of onset ranged from one month to 4 years. Positive family history was found in two families. In one, the father and 3 sibs had retinoblastoma, and in the other, 2 sibs were affected, but the parents were free. Chromosomal study revealed no abnormalities in all parents and sibs. Two patients had mosaic chromosome 13 abnormalities, 46,XY/46,XY,del(13)(pter→q14:) and 46,XX/46,inv(13)(q14q22). FISH analysis detected mosaic Rb1 deletion in two patients and excluded Rb1 deletion in two fetuses. Conclusions  The detection of genetic alterations affecting the Rb1 locus is important for the establishment of carriers, and prenatal and presymptomatic diagnosis. The search for deleted Rb1 mosaic cell lines is important for genetic counseling. Germline mutation may be considered as genetic transmission method of the Rb1 gene.     

Hypoparathyroidism and 22q11 deletion syndrome.

AIMS: To investigate a population of individuals with 22q11 deletion syndrome for hypocalcaemia. METHODS: A detailed clinical history enquiring into symptoms of hypocalcaemia and blood sampling to assess for hypocalcaemia and hypoparathyroidism, of patients outside the neonatal period known to have the 22q11 microdeletion from fluorescent in situ hybridisation studies was taken. RESULTS: Sixty one individuals were identified, of whom 23 were untraceable and one was unable to give informed consent. Biochemical investigations were performed on 27 subjects. Ten subjects had review of notes only. Four subjects had previously identified hypoparathyroidism. A new case of hypoparathyroidism was identified. Three subjects had borderline hypocalcaemia. DISCUSSION: In this population of patients with 22q11 deletion syndrome, 13% of the total or 30% of those biochemically assessed had evidence of reduced serum calcium concentrations. It is likely that 13-30% of patients with 22q11 deletion syndrome have possible hypoparathyroidism outside the neonatal period. Reported symptoms of hypocalcaemia did not correlate with biochemical evidence of persisting hypocalcaemia. We have shown that previously undiagnosed asymptomatic hypoparathyroidism occurs in patients with 22q11 deletion syndrome and conclude that screening of this population should be considered.     

Children with ocular motor apraxia type Cogan carry deletions in the gene (NPHP1) for juvenile nephronophthisis

Congenital ocular motor apraxia type Cogan is characterized by impairment of horizontal voluntary eye movements, ocular attraction movements, and optokinetic nystagmus. Two patients with congenital ocular motor apraxia type Cogan exhibited a newly recognized association with nephronophthisis type 1, an autosomal recessive kidney disease. Both patients possess large deletions of the NPHP1 gene. The deletion occurred on both chromosomes 2q13 in one patient and heterozygously in combination with a point mutation of the NPHP1 gene in the other. The findings will help to elucidate the pathogenetic processes involved.     

16q12 microdeletion syndrome in two Japanese boys

Microdeletion of 16q12 is a rare chromosomal abnormality. We present the cases of two Japanese patients with developmental and renal symptoms of differing clinical severity. Both patients had 16q12 interstitial microdeletions that included the entire SALL1 gene. Patient 1 was a 15‐year‐old Japanese boy clinically diagnosed with branchio‐oto‐renal syndrome with mild developmental delay, but with no imperforate anus or polydactyly. Array comparative genome hybridization (aCGH) indicated a 5.2 Mb deletion in 16q12, which included SALL1. Patient 2 was a 13‐year‐old Japanese boy diagnosed with Townes–Brocks syndrome and severe developmental delay, epilepsy, and renal insufficiency requiring renal replacement therapy. Fluorescence in situ hybridization indicated deletion of the entire SALL1 gene. Subsequent aCGH showed a 6 Mb deletion in 16q12q13, which included SALL1. Precise analysis of the present two cases will give us some clues to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of 16q12 microdeletion syndrome.     

应用单核苷酸多态性微阵列技术诊断 Rubinstein-Taybi 综合征 1 例报告

目的探讨Rubinstein-Taybi综合征的诊断策略。方法对1例临床表现符合Rubinstein-Taybi综合征诊断的患儿应用SNP-array技术进行全基因组拷贝数的变异分析。结果患儿男,2个月,发现16号染色体短臂13.3存在1.8 Mb的缺失变异,位于chr16:2903942-4748851,该区段包含致病基因CREBBP。结论 SNP-array等染色体微阵列分析(CMA)技术可应用于Rubenstein-Taybi综合征的分子诊断。     

The blood flow velocity waveform in the fetal descending aorta; its relationship to fetal heart rate pattern,eye and body movements in normal pregnancy at 27–28 weeks of gestation

In 13 normal pregnancies at 27–28 weeks of gestation the blood flow velocity waveform at the lower thoracic level of the fetal descending aorta was studied in relation to fetal heart rate pattern (FHRP), fetal eye movements (FEM) and fetal body movements (FBM). State parameter combinations in which high fetal heart rate (FHR) variability was present, were associated with a significant reduction in pulsatility index (PI) as compared with periods in which low FHR variability was present, irrespective of FEM and FBM, indicating a reduced peripheral vascular resistance. At 27–28 weeks of gestation FHR variability and PI might be linked to baroreceptor sensitivity. PI values derived from combinations FHRP-A, FEM(—), FBM(-) and FHRP-B, FEM(+), FBM(+) showed a significant inverse relationship (P < 0.05) with FHR. FHR and FHR variability should be taken into account when studying flow velocity waveforms in the fetal descending aorta at 27–28 weeks of gestation.     

Pelizaeus–Merzbacher Disease: the First Genetically Approved Case Report from Iran

Background

Classic Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease is a rare x-linked disorder of proteolipid protein expression first described clinically in 1885. This disease is characterized by abnormal eye movements, very slow motor development and involuntary movements. The causative gene is PLP1.

Case Presentation

A 1-year-old boy was referred to our clinic due to abnormal eye movements. He had horizontal and flickering eye oscillation, psychomotor retardation, hypotonia and head nodding. We found hypomyelination in brain MRI.

Conclusion

The possibility of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease should be considered in boys with abnormal eye movements, psychomotor retardation and hypotonia.     

Transient symptomatic worsening by atropine in opsoclonus–myoclonus syndrome

Opsoclonus–myoclonus syndrome (OMS) is characterized by abnormal eye and systemic involuntary movements, as well as cerebellar ataxia. Some sedatives and anesthetics worsen movements associated with OMS, while there is no known report of a negative effect of atropine. We report on sedation in two patients with OMS. Involuntary movements were transiently worsened after using atropine with midazolam or thiamylal in both, but were not seen when atropine was not used. We speculated that atropine has the potential to exacerbate involuntary movements in OMS due to vulnerability to this agent via unknown mechanisms.     

Early-onset movement disorder as diagnostic marker in genetic syndromes: Three cases of FOXG1-related syndrome

FOXG1-related syndrome is a developmental encephalopathy with a high phenotypic variability. A movement disorder presenting at onset is one of the main features, along with microcephaly and severe psychomotor delay without regression. Specific brain MRI findings facilitate the diagnosis. We report three cases of FOXG1-related syndrome, focusing on clinical onset, brain MRI and evolution over time in order to identify common features despite the three different underlying genotypes (14q12 deletion including the FOXG1 gene, FOXG1 intragenic mutation, 14q12 deletion including PRKD1 and a region regulating FOXG1 expression). In conclusion, we stress the importance of considering genetic syndromes in the differential diagnosis of early-onset movement disorders.     

Lethal form of spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 with early onset in childhood

Progressive cerebellar ataxias are well-known hereditary neurological disorders. Among them, spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and is ascribed to the expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat within the ATXN7 gene. An anticipation phenomenon can occur during paternal transmission and sometimes is responsible for a severe infantile form. The specificity of SCA7 is the retinal involvement with retinitis pigmentosa and cone rod dystrophy. We describe a familial form with two siblings who died of a severe infantile form. Diagnosis was made in their father, who had a recent history of macular atrophy and presented with gait disturbance thereafter. Retrospectively, substantial triplet repeat expansion was confirmed in the two affected infants. These infantile forms are rare and difficult to diagnose in the absence of suggestive family symptoms.     

The blood flow velocity waveform in the fetal descending aorta; its relationship to fetal heart rate pattern, eye and body movements in normal pregnancy at 27-28 weeks of gestation

In 13 normal pregnancies at 27-28 weeks of gestation the blood flow velocity waveform at the lower thoracic level of the fetal descending aorta was studied in relation to fetal heart rate pattern (FHRP), fetal eye movements (FEM) and fetal body movements (FBM). State parameter combinations in which high fetal heart rate (FHR) variability was present, were associated with a significant reduction in pulsatility index (PI) as compared with periods in which low FHR variability was present, irrespective of FEM and FBM, indicating a reduced peripheral vascular resistance. At 27-28 weeks of gestation FHR variability and PI might be linked to baroreceptor sensitivity. PI values derived from combinations FHRP-A, FEM(-), FBM(-) and FHRP-B, FEM(+), FBM(+) showed a significant inverse relationship (P less than 0.05) with FHR. FHR and FHR variability should be taken into account when studying flow velocity waveforms in the fetal descending aorta at 27-28 weeks of gestation.     

Chromosome 22q11 Deletion in Patients with Truncus Arteriosus

The association between truncus arteriosus and chromosome 22q11 deletion is well recognized, but the frequency of a chromosome 22q11 deletion has not been characterized in a large series of patients with truncus arteriosus, and little is known about cardiovascular morphologic features associated with a chromosome 22q11 deletion in this group of patients. We prospectively enrolled 50 consecutive patients with truncus arteriosus who were admitted to The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia between November 1991 and December 2001. Patients were studied for chromosome 22q11 deletion using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Correlations between anatomic features and chromosome 22q11 deletion were assessed. A chromosome 22q11 deletion was detected in 20 of the 50 patients (40%). Anatomic features that were significantly associated with a chromosome 22q11 deletion included a right-sided aortic arch, an abnormal aortic arch branching pattern, both abnormal sidedness and branching of the aortic arch, and the combined category of either abnormal sidedness or branching of the aortic arch. There was a trend toward the association of discontinuous pulmonary arteries with a chromosome 22q11 deletion. Interruption of the aortic arch and truncal valve morphology and function did not correlate significantly with the presence of a chromosome 22q11 deletion. In conclusion, a chromosome 22q11 deletion is common in patients with truncus arteriosus, and those with abnormal sidedness and/or branching of the aortic arch are significantly more likely to have a deletion. Clinically important anatomic variables, such as abnormalities of the truncal valve and interrupted aortic arch, were not associated with a chromosome 22q11 deletion in this series. Present address (D.B. McElhinney): Department of Cardiology, Childrens Hospital, Boston, MA     

手足口病并发脑干脑炎19例临床分析

目的总结广东地区手足口病并发脑干脑炎患儿的临床特征,为手足口病并发脑干脑炎的诊断和治疗提供依据。方法收集2008年5～7月诊断为手足口病并发脑干脑炎患儿的临床资料,分析临床表现、实验室检查、神经电生理检查、影像学检查、治疗及转归等特征。选择同期诊断为手足口病并发病毒性脑炎的患儿作为对照组,进行脑干脑炎危险因素的单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析。 结果19例手足口病并发脑干脑炎患儿进入分析。①临床表现：19例患儿均有发热和皮疹;神经系统症状多见于肢体震颤（15例）,眼球异常运动（游动或上翻）（12例）,烦躁和惊恐（8例）;脑神经损害多见于单侧脑神经损害（14例）,舌咽和迷走神经麻痹（9例）。15例出现呼吸衰竭,3例出现肺出血。②实验室检查：外周血WBC升高8例;血糖在正常范围;脑脊液压力升高4例。③神经电生理检查：8例EEG异常,14例脑干听觉诱发电位（BAEP）异常。④影像学检查：3例胸部X线检查提示双肺渗出性病变;15例行头颅CT检查均未见异常;3例头颅MRI检查提示脑干异常信号病灶。⑤转归：2例死于中枢性呼吸和循环衰竭,余17例治愈出院,随访6个月未见神经系统症状。⑥单因素Logistic回归分析显示,肢体震颤、呼吸节律改变、呼吸衰竭、眼球异常运动（游动或上翻）、饮水呛咳、口角歪斜、舌体震颤、末梢循环不良、交叉瘫及BAEP异常与脑干脑炎的发生有关;多因素Logistic回归分析显示,肢体震颤和眼球异常运动（游动或上翻）和BAEP异常是手足口病并发脑干脑炎的危险因素（OR分别为436.9,52.2和93.5）。 结论外周血WBC、血糖以及脑脊液检查对手足口病并发脑干脑炎的诊断不具有特异性。手足口病患儿如出现肢体震颤、眼球异常运动（游动或上翻）等症状,应警惕脑干脑炎的发生。 BAEP检查对脑干损伤有较好的诊断价值。及时和规范治疗后大多数患儿的预后良好。