A needle in a haystack? The impact of a targeted epilepsy gene panel in the identification of a treatable but rapidly progressive metabolic epilepsy: CLN2 disease.

BACKGROUND: Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) are a group of autosomal recessive, inherited, lysosomal, and neurodegenerative diseases that causes progressive dementia, seizures, movement disorders, language delay/regression, progressive visual failure, and early death. Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (CLN2), caused by biallelic pathogenic variants of the TPP1 gene, is the only NCL with an approved targeted therapy. The laboratory diagnosis of CLN2 is established through highly specific tests, leading to diagnostic delays and eventually hampering the provision of specific treatment for patients with CLN2. Epilepsy is a common and clinically-identifiable feature among NCLs, and seizure onset is the main driver for families to seek medical care. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of the Latin America Epilepsy and Genetics Program, an epilepsy gene panel, as a comprehensive tool for the investigation of CLN2 among other genetic causes of epilepsy. METHODS: A total of 1,284 patients with epilepsy without a specific cause who had at least 1 symptom associated with CLN2 were screened for variants in 160 genes associated with epilepsy or metabolic disorders presenting with epilepsy through an epilepsy gene panel. RESULTS: Variants of the TPP1 gene were identified in 25 individuals (1.9%), 21 of them with 2 variants. The 2 most frequently reported variants were p.Arg208* and p.Asp276Val, and 2 novel variants were detected in the present study: p.Leu308Pro and c.89 + 3G > C Intron 2. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that these genetic panels can be very useful tools to confirm or exclude CLN2 diagnosis and, if confirmed, provide disease-specific treatment for the patients.

ANTECEDENTES: As lipofuscinoses ceroides neuronais (neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses, NCLs, em inglês) são um grupo de doenças autossômicas recessivas, hereditárias, lisossomais e neurodegenerativas que causam demência progressiva, crises epiléticas, distúrbios de movimento, atraso/regressão da linguagem, deficiência visual progressiva e morte precoce. A lipofuscinose ceroide neuronal tipo 2 (neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2, CLN2, em inglês), causada por variantes patogênicas bialélicas do gene TPP1, é a única com terapia-alvo aprovada. O diagnóstico laboratorial é realizado por testes específicos, o que leva a atrasos diagnósticos e, consequentemente, prejudica a disponibilização de tratamento. A epilepsia é uma característica comum e clinicamente identificável entre as NCLs, e o início das convulsões é o principal motivo para as famílias buscarem atendimento médico. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados do Programa de Epilepsia e Genética da América Latina, um painel genético, como uma ferramenta abrangente para a investigação de CLN2 entre outras causas genéticas de epilepsia. MéTODOS: Um total de 1.284 pacientes com epilepsia sem uma causa específica e que tinham pelo menos 1 sintoma associado à CLN2 foram rastreados em busca de variantes em 160 genes associados à epilepsia ou a distúrbios metabólicos que apresentam epilepsia, por meio de um painel genético. RESULTADOS: Variantes do gene TPP1 foram identificadas em 25 indivíduos (1,9%), sendo que ; 21 apresentavam duas variantes. As duas variantes mais frequentes foram p.Arg208* e p.Asp276Val, e duas variantes novas foram detectadas neste: p.Leu308Pro e c.89 + 3G > C Intron 2. CONCLUSãO: Os resultados sugerem que os painéis genéticos de epilepsia podem ser uma ferramenta útil para confirmar ou excluir o diagnóstico de CLN2 e, se confirmado, fornecer tratamento específico para os pacientes.

Periodontal Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in early childhood: A case report of loss of deciduous teeth.

The aim of the present study is to report a case of periodontal Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (pEDS) in early childhood. A 3-year-old child, complaining of severe tooth mobility, gingival bleeding, and early loss of deciduous teeth sought the dental clinics. The patient was diagnosed with pEDS, and no other systematic health impairments were diagnosed. It was implemented a strict supragingival biofilm control, using mechanical and chemical strategies. However, during the treatment, the patient had to receive multiple dental extractions. Scaling and root planing were performed in the remaining teeth, and the patient is included in the periodontal maintenance program to prevent recurrence of the disease. It was concluded that, although rare, severe cases of periodontitis may occur in deciduous teeth. Strict supragingival biofilm control and periodontal maintenance are strongly recommended in those patients, along with familial monitoring.

Higher maternal age is associated with higher occurrence of cleft lip/palate in neonates under intensive care

Aim: To assess the prevalence of cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CL/P) and associated variables in neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units (ICU). Methods: Medical charts for neonates born and admitted to the ICU between 2012 and 2018 were reviewed. Obstetric and neonatal variables were collected by a trained researcher. In the case group, all neonates with CL/P were included. The control group was formed by matching sex, prematurity and month of birth using random number generation. Neonates with congenital malformations were excluded from the control group. Adjusted logistic regression was used (p<0.05). Results: The prevalence of CL/P was 0.43% (n=15). Five cases were excluded, as pairing was not possible. Twenty neonates were included in the control group. In the final multivariate model, CL/P was only associated with increased maternal age. For each year of increase in maternal age, neonates had a 35.2% higher chance of presenting CL/P (95% confidence interval: 1.021­1.792). Conclusions: Higher maternal age was associated with higher occurrence of CL/P in neonates admitted to the ICU. No other neonatal or maternal independent variables were associated with CL/P. Due to missing data, interpretation of study results must be approached with caution

Brazilian Food Reference Guide for Phenylalanine Content: A Study Based on the Perception of PKU Patients and Health Providers

Abstract The mainstay of management of phenylketonuria (PKU) is restriction of dietary phenylalanine (Phe) intake. The present study sought to assess the perception and understanding of health care providers and lay users (patients/family members/caregivers) regarding the national reference database for checking the Phe content of foods, provided by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa), whose data are presented in the Table of Phenylalanine Content of Foods (TCFA-Anvisa) and recently in the Phenylalanine Content of Foods Dashboard (PCCFA-Anvisa); and to identify factors which interfere with the usability of these resources. Two online questionnaires, one for providers (n=33) and another for lay users (n=194), were used to collect sociodemographic information, knowledge about dietary management of PKU, sources of information about the Phe content of foods, and perception and understanding of the Anvisa tools. TCFA-Anvisa and PCCFA-Anvisa were not used as main sources of information by either group. Among the participants who had used these tools (15 providers;35 lay users), most considered the PCCFA-Anvisa to be superior or partially superior to the TCFA-Anvisa. The main limitations reported were related to layout and limited variety of foods. We suggest that the limitations identified in this study be considered for future improvement of these resources.

A importância da Odontologia na assistência a indivíduos com defeitos congênitos / The importance of Dentistry in assisting individuals with birth defects

Introdução: Defeitos congênitos são alterações estruturais ou funcionais que acontecem durante a vida intrauterina. O cirurgião-dentista deve reconhecer os defeitos craniofaciais para complementar a caracterização fenotípica e manejá-los junto a uma equipe multiprofissional. A presente revisão tem como objetivo auxiliar o cirurgião-dentista para o diagnóstico desses achados e apresentar quadros sindrômicos tipicamente associados a malformações craniofaciais. Revisão de Literatura: Manifestações craniofaciais de defeitos congênitos são condições que devem ser reconhecidas pelos cirurgiões--dentistas, pois frequentemente estão presentes em sua prática diária, podendo ser este profissional o primeiro a identificar tais achados. Os principais quadros sindrômicos tipicamente associados a micrognatia, fendas orais e displasias esqueléticas com manifestação craniofacial são apresentados, assinalando suas características clínicas e genéticas. Discussão: O cirurgião-dentista deve realizar uma anamnese detalhada incluindo a história familiar, bem como reconhecer as dismorfias tanto clínica quanto radiograficamente, observando o paciente de forma sistêmica. Conclusão: Os profissionais da odontologia devem receber treinamento teórico-prático para o diagnóstico, tratamento e vigilância de indivíduos com defeitos congênitos, seja na avaliação individual ou como parte de uma equipe multiprofissional.

Introduction: Birth defects are structural or functional changes that occur during intrauterine life. The dentist must recognize the craniofacial defects, complement the phenotypic characterization and manage them within a multidisciplinary team. The present review aims to assist the dentist to diagnose these findings and present syndromic conditions typically associated with cranio-facial malformations. Literature Review: Craniofacial manifestations of birth defects are conditions that must be recognized by dentists, as they are frequently present in their daily practices, and this professional may be the first to identify such findings. The main syndromic clinical pictures typically associated with micrognathia, oral clefts and skeletal dysplasias with craniofacial man-ifestation are presented, pointing out their clinical and genetic features. Discussion: The dentist must perform a detailed anamnesis including family history, as well as should recognize both clinical and radiographically the dysmorphisms, observing the patient systemically. Conclusion: Dentistry professionals should receive the-oretical-practical training for the diagnosis, treatment and surveillance of individuals with congenital defects, either in individual assessment or as part of a multipro-fessional team.