Isolated Sulfite Oxidase Deficiency: Response to Dietary Treatment in a Patient with Severe Neonatal Presentation

ABSTRACT

Abstract Isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency (ISOD) is a devastating, neurometabolic disorder caused by mutations in the SUOX gene necessary for the final step in the sulfur-containing amino acid catabolic pathway. Patients classically present in the neonatal period with neurologic manifestations. Biochemical findings include elevated sulfocysteine, low cystine and undetectable homocysteine with normal uric acid levels. Other associated biochemical markers include elevated plasma alpha-aminoadipic semialdehyde and piperideine-6-carboxylic acid. We report a patient with classic neonatal onset ISOD (refractory seizures, hypertonicity, brain abnormalities, pathogenic SUOX mutations). Her clinical course was marked by extreme irritability, prompting the use of a low methionine and cystine diet to decrease toxic metabolites thought to be contributing to her symptoms. Biochemical markers and extreme irritability improved with dietary treatment (methionine=30mg/kg/day). She died of sepsis in early infancy, precluding long term follow-up. This case reviews the potential benefits and limitations of diet therapy in this rare disorder.