ELMO2 biallelic pathogenic variants in a patient with gingival hypertrophy and cherubism phenotype: Case report and molecular review.

Ramon syndrome (OMIM #266270) was first described in a patient with cherubism, gingival fibromatosis, epilepsy, intellectual disability, hypertrichosis, and stunted growth. In 2018, Mehawej et al. described a patient with Ramon syndrome in whom a homozygous variant in ELMO2 was identified, suggesting that this gene may be the causative for this syndrome. ELMO2 biallelic pathogenic variants were also described in patients with a primary intraosseous vascular malformation (PIVM; OMIM #606893). These patients presented gingival bleeding and cherubism phenotype. Herein, a patient with gingival hypertrophy, neurodevelopmental delay, and cherubism phenotype with a novel homozygous predicted loss-of-function (LOF) variant in the ELMO2 gene and family recurrence was reported. A surgical approach to treat gingival bleeding and mandible vascular malformation was also described. Furthermore, this study includes a comprehensive literature review of molecular data regarding the ELMO2 gene. All the variants, except one described in the ELMO2, were predicted as LOF, including our patient's variant. There is an overlapping between PIVM, also caused by LOF biallelic variants in the ELMO2 gene, and Ramon syndrome, which can suggest that they are not different entities. However, due to a limited number of cases described with molecular evaluation, it is hard to establish a genotype-phenotype correlation. Our study supports that LOF pathogenic biallelic variants in the ELMO2 gene cause a phenotype that has cherubism and gingival hypertrophy as main characteristics.

Population medical genetics: translating science to the community.

Rare genetic disorders are currently in the spotlight due to the elevated number of different conditions and significant total number of affected patients. The study of these disorders is extremely helpful for the elucidation of physiological processes related with complex disorders. Isolated populations are instrumental for the study of genetic disorders, considering their homogeneity and high proportion of affected patients in a small geographic area. These favorable conditions lead to the creation of a new discipline, known as "population medical genetics", which integrates medical genetics, population genetics, epidemiological genetics and community genetics. In order to develop practical activities in this new discipline, the National Institute of Population Medical Genetics (INaGeMP) was created in 2008 in Brazil. INaGeMP has developed several tools and funded numerous research activities. In this review, we highlight three successful projects developed in the first 10 years of INaGeMP activities (2008-2018): a newborn screening pilot study for MPS VI in Northeast Brazil, the study of Machado-Joseph disease in Brazilian families with Azorian ancestry, and the high twinning rate in a small town in southern Brazil. The results of these projects in terms of scientific output and contributions to the affected communities highlight the success and importance of INaGeMP.

Identifying Genetic Etiology in Patients with Intellectual Disability: An Experience in Public Health Services in Northeastern Brazil.

Intellectual disability (ID) is considered a common neuropsychiatric disorder that affects up to 3% of the population. The etiologic origin of ID may be genetic, environmental, and multifactorial. Chromosomopathies are relatively common among the genetic causes of ID, especially in the most severe cases and those associated with dysmorphic features. Currently, the application of new molecular cytogenetics technologies has increasingly allowed the identification of microdeletions, microduplications, and unbalanced translocations as causes of ID. The objective of this study was to investigate the etiology of ID in patients admitted to a public hospital in Northeastern Brazil. In total, 119 patients with ID who had normal karyotypes and fragile X exams participated in this study. The patients were initially physically examined for microdeletion syndromes and then tested using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), methylation-sensitive polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR), and chromosome microarray analysis (CMA), according to clinical suspicion. Patients with no diagnoses after FISH, MLPA, and/or MS-PCR evaluations were subsequently tested by CMA. The rate of etiologic diagnoses of ID in the current study was 28%. FISH diagnosed 25 out of 79 tested (31%), MLPA diagnosed 26 out of 79 tested (32%), MS-PCR diagnosed 7 out of 20 tested (35%), and the single nucleotide polymorphism array diagnosed 6 out of 27 tested (22%). Although the CMA is the most complete and recommended tool for the diagnosis of microdeletions, microduplications, and unbalance translocations in patients with ID, FISH, MLPA, and MS-PCR testing can be used as the first tests for specific syndromes, as long as the patients are first physically screened clinically, especially in the public health networks system in Brazil, where resources are scarce.

Functional status of individuals with osteogenesis imperfecta: data from a reference center.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional status of individuals with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) followed up at a reference center in the state of Bahia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study, which evaluated individuals with OI, based on a non-probabilistic sampling. To assess motor function, the Motor Function Measure (MFM) score was used, in addition to the measurement of muscle strength using the Medical Research Council (MRC) score. Functional performance was measured using the Pediatric Assessment of Disability Inventory, Computerized Adaptive Testing (PEDI-CAT). RESULTS: Thirty-one individuals aged between two and 18 years old were evaluated. The overall score of MFM was 74.2%, and the lowest score was found in participants with type III OI (56.3%). The median of the MRC index was 80. The mobility domain was the most affected in the PEDI-CAT evaluation, with a mean T score of 23.9, (14.2 in type III OI). CONCLUSIONS: Among the evaluated individuals, functional alterations were identified, reduced global gross motor functionality and muscle strength, impacting the mobility domain, with the most relevant findings in individuals with type III OI.

Respiratory function of children and adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta: respiratory muscle strength, forced vital capacity, and peak expiratory flow.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the respiratory function of children and adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) followed up at a referral center. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a non-probabilistic sample. Manovacuometry was performed with the measurement of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and in addition, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and ventilometry were performed to measure forced vital capacity (FVC). RESULTS: In total, 23 individuals were evaluated, with a mean age of 11.6±3.4 years, 56.5% of whom were females. Regarding the classification of OI, 56.5% of the sample belonged to type IV, 30.5% to type III, and 13% to type I. The mean MIP was 64.4% of the predicted, and the mean MEP was 56.2% of the predicted. Overall, the mean PEF was 213.9 L/min, but only 140.6 L/min in the OI type III group. Median FVC was 1.9 L, corresponding to 110% of the predicted. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory function of the study subjects was altered, with respiratory muscle strength values lower than expected in the whole sample, and peak expiratory flow was significantly reduced in the OI type III group.

Temporal trends in prevalence and infant mortality of birth defects in Brazil, from 2001 to 2018. / Tendência temporal da prevalência e mortalidade infantil das anomalias congênitas no Brasil, de 2001 a 2018.

Congenital anomalies (CA) are a relevant problem for global public health, affecting about 3% to 6% of newborns worldwide. In Brazil, these are the second main cause of infant mortality. Thus, extensive studies are needed to demonstrate the impact of these anomalies on births and deaths. The present study describes the temporal trends of prevalence and infant mortality due to CA among live births in Brazil and regions, from 2001 to 2018, using the related data between the Live Birth Information System (SINASC, acronym in Portuguese) and the Mortality Information System (SIM, acronym in Portuguese). The prevalence and infant mortality due to CA has increased in Brazil and in most regions, especially in the Northeast and North. CAs in the musculoskeletal system were the most frequent at birth (29.8/10,000 live births), followed by those in the circulatory system (12.7/10,000 live births), which represented the primary cause of death in this group. The applied linkage technique made it possible to correct the national prevalence of CA by 17.9% during the analyzed period, after retrieving the anomalies reported in SIM, thereby proving to be a good tool to improve the quality of information on anomalies in Brazil.

As anomalias congênitas (AC) configuram um relevante problema para a saúde pública global, afetando em média de 3% a 6% dos recém-nascidos em todo o mundo. No Brasil, ocupam a segunda posição entre os principais grupos de causas de óbito infantil. Assim, estudos amplos são necessários para mostrar o impacto das AC na saúde infantil. O presente estudo descreve a tendência temporal da prevalência e da mortalidade infantil por AC entre nascidos vivos (NV) no Brasil e em suas cinco regiões de 2001 a 2018, utilizando dados vinculados entre as bases de dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC) e do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM). A prevalência e mortalidade infantil por AC mostrou-se crescente no Brasil na maioria das regiões, principalmente no Norte e no Nordeste. Aquelas do aparelho osteomuscular foram as mais prevalentes ao nascimento (29,8/10.000 NV); as do aparelho circulatório passaram para a segunda posição (12,7/10.000 NV) após a vinculação das bases e representam a primeira causa de morte desse grupo. A técnica de vinculação de dados aplicada corrigiu a prevalência nacional das AC em 17,9% no período analisado, após serem recuperadas as AC notificadas no SIM, mostrando ser uma boa ferramenta para melhorar a qualidade das informações das AC.

Genetic studies in a cluster of mucopolysaccharidosis type VI patients in Northeast Brazil.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (MPS VI, Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by deficiency of arylsulphatase B. The incidence of MPS VI is very low, usually less than 1 case for every 1,000,000 newborns. In Northeast Brazil we identified in the county of Monte Santo (52,360 inhabitants) thirteen patients with MPS VI. The aim of this work was to identify the mutation(s) present in these patients and analyze intragenic SNPs to define possible haplotypes. The 13 MPS VI patients were found to be homozygous for the p.H178L mutation. All patients have the same haplotype for the intragenic SNPs. Based on current data, the prevalence of MPS VI in this region is estimated as 1:5,000 newborns. These results, together with pedigree analysis, strongly suggest a founder effect accounting for the high frequency of p.H178L mutation in this area. This reinforces the need of a comprehensive community genetics program for this area.

Hearing Loss in Mucopolysaccharidosis.

Introduction Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) is a set of rare diseases caused by deficiency of lysosomal enzymes that lead to the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in tissues and organs, which, in turn, is responsible for the multisystemic clinical, chronic, and progressive symptoms. Objective To describe the profile of the otorhinolaryngological clinical examination and audiology tests of patients with MPS disease. Methods The present study is a case series. The evaluation was performed, initially, in 24 patients with MPS types I, II, IIIA, IV and VI. Results The most common hearing complaint was hearing loss, which was confirmed by audiology tests in almost 100% of the patients, most of whom presented conductive hearing loss. Conclusions It is important to evaluate the complaints, physical examination, and audiology tests in patients with MPS. The otorhinolaryngologistshould be part of the group of professionals that follows these patients to better monitor their hearing and provide early hearing rehabilitation.

Case of 15q26-qter deletion associated with a Prader-Willi phenotype.

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is one of the common neurogenetic disorders associated with intellectual disability. PWS involves a complex inheritance pattern and is caused by an absence of gene expression on the paternally inherited 15q11.2-q13 region, either due to deletion, maternal uniparental disomy or imprinting defect. The syndrome is characterized principally by severe neonatal hypotonia, a weak suck in infancy that is later followed by hyperphagia and obesity, developmental delay, intellectual disability and short stature. In the case of the chromosome 15q26-qter deletion syndrome or Drayer's syndrome, very few reports have been published. Its characteristics include intrauterine growth restriction, postnatal growth failure, varying degrees of intellectual disability, developmental delay, typical facial appearance and diaphragmatic hernia. The present paper describes a female patient in whom clinical findings were suggestive of PWS and deletion in the 15q26-qter region. Both karyotyping and methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction were shown to be normal. Nevertheless, fluorescence in situ hybridization showed a 15qter deletion that was later mapped by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-array. The deleted genomic region involves the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R) gene, which is related to short stature, developmental delay and intellectual disability. This case had various clinical characteristics in common with the cases of 15q26-qter deletionand characteristics compatible with PWS.

Neurodevelopmental delay in normocephalic children with in utero exposure to Zika virus.

Neurodevelopment in 29 normocephalic children with in utero exposure to Zika virus (ZIKV) was evaluated by the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-Third Edition. Ten (35%) infants presented neurodevelopment delay. Language, cognitive and motor delays were identified in 9 (31%), 4 (14%) and 1 (3%) infants, respectively. Children exposed to ZIKV in utero must undergo careful evaluations for the early detection of any neurodevelopment delays in order to implement prompt intervention.

Correlation between polymorphisms at interleukin-6 but not at interleukin-10 promoter and the risk of human T lymphotropic virus type I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis in Brazilian individuals.

HTLV-1 is the etiologic agent of ATL and HAM/TSP. The majority of HTLV-1-infected individuals remain asymptomatic, indicating that the infection alone is not sufficient to cause the diseases. It has been reported that cytokine gene polymorphisms, including polymorphisms at IL-6 and IL-10 gene, might be important. We analyzed SNP in the promoter region of the IL-6: -174, -572, -597, and -634 positions, and IL-10: -592 position to evaluate the role of these polymorphisms in the HAM/TSP pathogenesis in 133 HTLV-1 infected individuals and in 100 healthy individuals from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The -634C allele frequencies were higher among HAM/TSP patients (21.2%) than among oligosymptomatic (6.5%; P = 0.038) and asymptomatic (9.5%; P = 0.025) subjects. Similarly, the -174G allele frequencies were higher in HAM/TSP patients than in oligosymptomatic patients (P = 0.02). Moreover, the -634GC/-174GG genotype combination was identified at a higher frequency (38.5%) in the HAM/TSP patients than in subjects with other clinical status (8.7%; P = 0.016 for oligosymptomatic and 15.5%, P = 0.012 for asymptomatic patients). However, the multivariate logistic regression including the genotypes of the three studied loci showed that only -634 C IL-6 carriers remain as significant and independent TSP/HAM predictor (odds ratio [OR] = 5.31; 95% [CI] = 1.60-17.56; P = 0.006). We suggest that -634 G C in IL-6 could contribute to HAM/TSP development and that identification of the collective influence of several cytokine polymorphisms, their prevalence, and their interaction could help to better understand this disease.

Respiratory function of children and adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta: respiratory muscle strength, forced vital capacity, and peak expiratory flow / Função respiratória de crianças e adolescentes com osteogênese imperfeita: força muscular respiratória, capacidade vital forçada e pico de fluxo expiratório

Abstract Objective: This study aims to evaluate the respiratory function of children and adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) followed up at a referral center. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a non-probabilistic sample. Manovacuometry was performed with the measurement of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and in addition, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and ventilometry were performed to measure forced vital capacity (FVC). Results: In total, 23 individuals were evaluated, with a mean age of 11.6±3.4 years, 56.5% of whom were females. Regarding the classification of OI, 56.5% of the sample belonged to type IV, 30.5% to type III, and 13% to type I. The mean MIP was 64.4% of the predicted, and the mean MEP was 56.2% of the predicted. Overall, the mean PEF was 213.9 L/min, but only 140.6 L/min in the OI type III group. Median FVC was 1.9 L, corresponding to 110% of the predicted. Conclusions: Respiratory function of the study subjects was altered, with respiratory muscle strength values lower than expected in the whole sample, and peak expiratory flow was significantly reduced in the OI type III group.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a função respiratória de crianças e adolescentes com osteogênese imperfeita (OI) acompanhados em um centro de referência. Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo de corte transversal, com amostragem não probabilística. Foi realizada manovacuometria com mensuração da pressão inspiratória máxima (PIM) e pressão expiratória máxima (PEM), além do pico de fluxo expiratório (PFE) e da ventilometria para a medida da capacidade vital forçada (CVF). Resultados: Foram avaliados 23 indivíduos, com média de idade de 11,6±3,4 anos, sendo 56,5% do sexo feminino. Com relação à classificação da OI, 56,5% da amostra pertencia ao tipo IV, 30,5% ao tipo III e 13% ao tipo I. A média de PIM foi de 64,4% do previsto, e a PEM foi de 56,2% do previsto. A média de PFE foi de 213,9 L/min, sendo 140,6 L/min no grupo de OI tipo III. A mediana da CVF foi de 1,9 L, correspondendo a 110% do previsto. Conclusões: A função respiratória dos indivíduos estudados encontrava-se alterada, com valores abaixo do esperado em toda a amostra para força muscular respiratória, além do PFE reduzido no grupo OI tipo III.

Mortality for Critical Congenital Heart Diseases and Associated Risk Factors in Newborns. A Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Congenital heart diseases are the most common type of congenital defects, and account for more deaths in the first year of life than any other condition, when infectious etiologies are ruled out. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate survival, and to identify risk factors in deaths in newborns with critical and/or complex congenital heart disease in the neonatal period. METHODS: A cohort study, nested to a randomized case-control, was performed, considering the Confidence Interval of 95% (95% CI) and significance level of 5%, paired by gender of the newborn and maternal age. Case-finding, interviews, medical record analysis, clinical evaluation of pulse oximetry (heart test) and Doppler echocardiogram were performed, as well as survival analysis, and identification of death-related risk factors. RESULTS: The risk factors found were newborns younger than 37 weeks (Relative Risk - RR: 2.89; 95% CI [1.49-5.56]; p = 0.0015), weight of less than 2,500 grams (RR: 2.33 [; 95% CI 1.26-4.29]; p = 0.0068), occurrence of twinning (RR: 11.96 [95% CI 1.43-99.85]; p = 0.022) and presence of comorbidity (RR: 2.27 [95% CI 1.58-3.26]; p < 0.0001). The incidence rate of mortality from congenital heart disease was 81 cases per 100,000 live births. The lethality attributed to critical congenital heart diseases was 64.7%, with proportional mortality of 12.0%. The survival rate at 28 days of life decreased by almost 70% in newborns with congenital heart disease. The main cause of death was cardiogenic shock. CONCLUSION: Preterm infants with low birth weight and comorbidities presented a higher risk of mortality related to congenital heart diseases. This cohort was extinguished very quickly, signaling the need for greater investment in assistance technology in populations with this profile.

Diagnosis of Atelosteogenesis Type I suggested by Fetal Ultrasonography and Atypical Paternal Phenotype with Mosaicism.

Atelosteogenesis type I (AOI) is an autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia caused by mutations in the filaminB (FLNB) gene with classic and well-recognizable clinical findings. However, parents affected with a mild phenotype, probably with somatic mosaicism, can generate offspring with a much more severe phenotype of AOI. In the present report, we describe a female newborn with classic AOI leading to early neonatal death, whose diagnostic was based on prenatal radiological findings and on the physical examination of the father. Since her father had limb deformities and corporal asymmetry, suggesting somatic mosaicism, his biological samples were analyzed through a gene panel for skeletal dysplasias. A missense mutation not previously described in the literature was detected in the FLNB gene, affecting ∼ 20% of the evaluated cells and, therefore, confirming the diagnosis of mosaic AOI in the father. The molecular analysis of the father was crucial to suggest the diagnosis of AOI in the newborn, since she died early and there were no biological samples available.

A atelosteogênese tipo I (AOI) é uma displasia esquelética autossômica dominante causada por mutações no gene filamina B (FLNB) com achados clínicos clássicos e bem reconhecíveis. No entanto, pais afetados com um fenótipo mais leve, provavelmente com mosaicismo somático, podem gerar uma prole com um fenótipo muito mais grave de AOI. No presente relato, descrevemos um recém-nascido do sexo feminino com AOI clássica, que levou à morte neonatal precoce, e cujo diagnóstico foi baseado em achados radiológicos pré-natais e no exame físico de seu genitor. Como o genitor apresentava deformidades em membros e assimetria corporal, que sugeriam mosaicismo somático, suas amostras biológicas foram analisadas por meio de um painel de genes para displasias esqueléticas. Uma mutação missense, não descrita anteriormente na literatura, foi detectada no gene FLNB, afetando ∼ 20% das células avaliadas, e, portanto, confirmando o diagnóstico de AOI em mosaico no genitor. A análise molecular realizada no genitor foi fundamental para sugerir o diagnóstico de AOI na recém-nascida, uma vez que esta morreu precocemente, e não havia amostras biológicas disponíveis.

Functional status of individuals with osteogenesis imperfecta: data from a reference center

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the functional status of individuals with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) followed up at a reference center in the state of Bahia. Materials and methods: This is an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study, which evaluated individuals with OI, based on a non-probabilistic sampling. To assess motor function, the Motor Function Measure (MFM) score was used, in addition to the measurement of muscle strength using the Medical Research Council (MRC) score. Functional performance was measured using the Pediatric Assessment of Disability Inventory, Computerized Adaptive Testing (PEDI-CAT). Results: Thirty-one individuals aged between two and 18 years old were evaluated. The overall score of MFM was 74.2%, and the lowest score was found in participants with type III OI (56.3%). The median of the MRC index was 80. The mobility domain was the most affected in the PEDI-CATevaluation, with a mean T score of 23.9, (14.2 in type III OI). Conclusions: Among the evaluated individuals, functional alterations were identified, reduced global gross motor functionality and muscle strength, impacting the mobility domain, with the most relevant findings in individuals with type III OI.

Tendência temporal da prevalência e mortalidade infantil das anomalias congênitas no Brasil, de 2001 a 2018 / Temporal trends in prevalence and infant mortality of birth defects in Brazil, from 2001 to 2018

Resumo As anomalias congênitas (AC) configuram um relevante problema para a saúde pública global, afetando em média de 3% a 6% dos recém-nascidos em todo o mundo. No Brasil, ocupam a segunda posição entre os principais grupos de causas de óbito infantil. Assim, estudos amplos são necessários para mostrar o impacto das AC na saúde infantil. O presente estudo descreve a tendência temporal da prevalência e da mortalidade infantil por AC entre nascidos vivos (NV) no Brasil e em suas cinco regiões de 2001 a 2018, utilizando dados vinculados entre as bases de dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC) e do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM). A prevalência e mortalidade infantil por AC mostrou-se crescente no Brasil na maioria das regiões, principalmente no Norte e no Nordeste. Aquelas do aparelho osteomuscular foram as mais prevalentes ao nascimento (29,8/10.000 NV); as do aparelho circulatório passaram para a segunda posição (12,7/10.000 NV) após a vinculação das bases e representam a primeira causa de morte desse grupo. A técnica de vinculação de dados aplicada corrigiu a prevalência nacional das AC em 17,9% no período analisado, após serem recuperadas as AC notificadas no SIM, mostrando ser uma boa ferramenta para melhorar a qualidade das informações das AC.

Abstract Congenital anomalies (CA) are a relevant problem for global public health, affecting about 3% to 6% of newborns worldwide. In Brazil, these are the second main cause of infant mortality. Thus, extensive studies are needed to demonstrate the impact of these anomalies on births and deaths. The present study describes the temporal trends of prevalence and infant mortality due to CA among live births in Brazil and regions, from 2001 to 2018, using the related data between the Live Birth Information System (SINASC, acronym in Portuguese) and the Mortality Information System (SIM, acronym in Portuguese). The prevalence and infant mortality due to CA has increased in Brazil and in most regions, especially in the Northeast and North. CAs in the musculoskeletal system were the most frequent at birth (29.8/10,000 live births), followed by those in the circulatory system (12.7/10,000 live births), which represented the primary cause of death in this group. The applied linkage technique made it possible to correct the national prevalence of CA by 17.9% during the analyzed period, after retrieving the anomalies reported in SIM, thereby proving to be a good tool to improve the quality of information on anomalies in Brazil.

Mutation screening in the genes PAX-8, NKX2-5, TSH-R, HES-1 in cohort of 63 Brazilian children with thyroid dysgenesis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the candidate genes PAX-8, NKX2-5, TSH-R and HES-1 in 63 confirmed cases of thyroid dysgenesis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Characterization of patients with congenital hypothyroidism into specific subtypes of thyroid dysgenesis with hormone levels (TT4 and TSH), thyroid ultrasound and scintigraphy. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes and the genetic analysis was realized by investigating the presence of mutations in the transcription factor genes involved in thyroid development. RESULTS: No mutations were detected in any of the candidate genes. In situ thyroid gland represented 71.1% of all cases of permanent primary congenital hypothyroidism, followed by hypoplasia (9.6%), ectopia (78%), hemiagenesis (6.0%) and agenesis (5.5%). The highest neonatal screening TSH levels were in the agenesis group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid dysgenesis is possibly a polygenic disorder and epigenetic factors could to be implicated in these pathogeneses.

Genotype and natural history in unrelated individuals with phenylketonuria and autistic behavior.

We describe three unrelated individuals, two males (ages 35 and 9) and a female (age 8) presenting with late diagnosed phenylketonuria (PKU) and autistic behavior, all showing poor adhesion to the dietary treatment resulting in high plasmatic phenylalanine levels, particularly in the oldest subject. Clinical findings included hair hypopigmentation, microcephaly, severe mental retardation with absent development of verbal language and autistic symptoms in all three patients, whereas variable neurological signs such as seizures, spasticity, ataxia, aggressivity, and hyperactivity were individually found. Homozygosity for the IVS10nt11g/a (IVS10nt546) was found in all. This is the first report of molecular findings in subjects with PKU also presenting with autistic features. The authors discuss if this mutation is particularly involved in the association of autistic symptoms in untreated PKU individuals.

GNPTAB missense mutations cause loss of GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase activity in mucolipidosis type II through distinct mechanisms.

Mucolipidoses (ML) II and III alpha/beta are lysosomal storage diseases caused by pathogenic mutations in GNPTAB encoding the α/ß-subunit precursor of GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase. To determine genotype-phenotype correlation and functional analysis of mutant GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase, 13 Brazilian patients clinically and biochemical diagnosed for MLII or III alpha/beta were studied. By sequencing of genomic GNPTAB of the MLII and MLIII alpha/beta patients we identified six novel mutations: p.D76G, p.S385L, p.Q278Kfs*3, p.H588Qfs*27, p.N642Lfs*10 and p.Y1111*. Expression analysis by western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that the mutant α/ß-subunit precursor p.D76G is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum whereas the mutant p.S385L is correctly transported to the cis-Golgi apparatus and proteolytically processed. Both mutations lead to complete loss of GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase activity, consistent with the severe clinical MLII phenotype of the patients. Our study expands the genotypic spectrum of MLII and provides novel insights into structural requirements to ensure GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase activity.