New variants expand the neurological phenotype of COQ7 deficiency.

The protein encoded by COQ7 is required for CoQ10 synthesis in humans, hydroxylating 3-demethoxyubiquinol (DMQ10) in the second to last steps of the pathway. COQ7 mutations lead to a primary CoQ10 deficiency syndrome associated with a pleiotropic neurological disorder. This study shows the clinical, physiological, and molecular characterization of four new cases of CoQ10 primary deficiency caused by five mutations in COQ7, three of which have not yet been described, inducing mitochondrial dysfunction in all patients. However, the specific combination of the identified variants in each patient generated precise pathophysiological and molecular alterations in fibroblasts, which would explain the differential in vitro response to supplementation therapy. Our results suggest that COQ7 dysfunction could be caused by specific structural changes that affect the interaction with COQ9 required for the DMQ10 presentation to COQ7, the substrate access to the active site, and the maintenance of the active site structure. Remarkably, patients' fibroblasts share transcriptional remodeling, supporting a modification of energy metabolism towards glycolysis, which could be an adaptive mechanism against CoQ10 deficiency. However, transcriptional analysis of mitochondria-associated pathways showed distinct and dramatic differences between patient fibroblasts, which correlated with the extent of pathophysiological and neurological alterations observed in the probands. Overall, this study suggests that the combination of precise genetic diagnostics and the availability of new structural models of human proteins could help explain the origin of phenotypic pleiotropy observed in some genetic diseases and the different responses to available therapies.

Genome and RNA sequencing were essential to reveal cryptic intronic variants associated to defective ATP6AP1 mRNA processing.

The diagnosis of Mendelian disorders has notably advanced with integration of whole exome and genome sequencing (WES and WGS) in clinical practice. However, challenges in variant interpretation and uncovered variants by WES still leave a substantial percentage of patients undiagnosed. In this context, integrating RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) improves diagnostic workflows, particularly for WES inconclusive cases. Additionally, functional studies are often necessary to elucidate the impact of prioritized variants on gene expression and protein function. Our study focused on three unrelated male patients (P1-P3) with ATP6AP1-CDG (congenital disorder of glycosylation), presenting with intellectual disability and varying degrees of hepatopathy, glycosylation defects, and an initially inconclusive diagnosis through WES. Subsequent RNA-seq was pivotal in identifying the underlying genetic causes in P1 and P2, detecting ATP6AP1 underexpression and aberrant splicing. Molecular studies in fibroblasts confirmed these findings and identified the rare intronic variants c.289-233C > T and c.289-289G > A in P1 and P2, respectively. Trio-WGS also revealed the variant c.289-289G > A in P3, which was a de novo change in both patients. Functional assays expressing the mutant alleles in HAP1 cells demonstrated the pathogenic impact of these variants by reproducing the splicing alterations observed in patients. Our study underscores the role of RNA-seq and WGS in enhancing diagnostic rates for genetic diseases such as CDG, providing new insights into ATP6AP1-CDG molecular bases by identifying the first two deep intronic variants in this X-linked gene. Additionally, our study highlights the need to integrate RNA-seq and WGS, followed by functional validation, in routine diagnostics for a comprehensive evaluation of patients with an unidentified molecular etiology.

Clinical and molecular outcomes from the 5-Year natural history study of SSADH Deficiency, a model metabolic neurodevelopmental disorder.

BACKGROUND: Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (SSADHD) represents a model neurometabolic disease at the fulcrum of translational research within the Boston Children's Hospital Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (IDDRC), including the NIH-sponsored natural history study of clinical, neurophysiological, neuroimaging, and molecular markers, patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) characterization, and development of a murine model for tightly regulated, cell-specific gene therapy. METHODS: SSADHD subjects underwent clinical evaluations, neuropsychological assessments, biochemical quantification of γ-aminobutyrate (GABA) and related metabolites, electroencephalography (standard and high density), magnetoencephalography, transcranial magnetic stimulation, magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy, and genetic tests. This was parallel to laboratory molecular investigations of in vitro GABAergic neurons derived from induced human pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) of SSADHD subjects and biochemical analyses performed on a versatile murine model that uses an inducible and reversible rescue strategy allowing on-demand and cell-specific gene therapy. RESULTS: The 62 SSADHD subjects [53% females, median (IQR) age of 9.6 (5.4-14.5) years] included in the study had a reported symptom onset at ∼ 6 months and were diagnosed at a median age of 4 years. Language developmental delays were more prominent than motor. Autism, epilepsy, movement disorders, sleep disturbances, and various psychiatric behaviors constituted the core of the disorder's clinical phenotype. Lower clinical severity scores, indicating worst severity, coincided with older age (R= -0.302, p = 0.03), as well as age-adjusted lower values of plasma γ-aminobutyrate (GABA) (R = 0.337, p = 0.02) and γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) (R = 0.360, p = 0.05). While epilepsy and psychiatric behaviors increase in severity with age, communication abilities and motor function tend to improve. iPSCs, which were differentiated into GABAergic neurons, represent the first in vitro neuronal model of SSADHD and express the neuronal marker microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), as well as GABA. GABA-metabolism in induced GABAergic neurons could be reversed using CRISPR correction of the pathogenic variants or mRNA transfection and SSADHD iPSCs were associated with excessive glutamatergic activity and related synaptic excitation. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from the SSADHD Natural History Study converge with iPSC and animal model work focused on a common disorder within our IDDRC, deepening our knowledge of the pathophysiology and longitudinal clinical course of a complex neurodevelopmental disorder. This further enables the identification of biomarkers and changes throughout development that will be essential for upcoming targeted trials of enzyme replacement and gene therapy.

Consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and management of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency.

Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (SSADHD) (OMIM #271980) is a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by pathogenic variants of ALDH5A1. Deficiency of SSADH results in accumulation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and other GABA-related metabolites. The clinical phenotype of SSADHD includes a broad spectrum of non-pathognomonic symptoms such as cognitive disabilities, communication and language deficits, movement disorders, epilepsy, sleep disturbances, attention problems, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive traits. Current treatment options for SSADHD remain supportive, but there are ongoing attempts to develop targeted genetic therapies. This study aimed to create consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and management of SSADHD. Thirty relevant statements were initially addressed by a systematic literature review, resulting in different evidence levels of strength according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria. The highest level of evidence (level A), based on randomized controlled trials, was unavailable for any of the statements. Based on cohort studies, Level B evidence was available for 12 (40%) of the statements. Thereupon, through a process following the Delphi Method and directed by the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) criteria, expert opinion was sought, and members of an SSADHD Consensus Group evaluated all the statements. The group consisted of neurologists, epileptologists, neuropsychologists, neurophysiologists, metabolic disease specialists, clinical and biochemical geneticists, and laboratory scientists affiliated with 19 institutions from 11 countries who have clinical experience with SSADHD patients and have studied the disorder. Representatives from parent groups were also included in the Consensus Group. An analysis of the survey's results yielded 25 (83%) strong and 5 (17%) weak agreement strengths. These first-of-their-kind consensus guidelines intend to consolidate and unify the optimal care that can be provided to individuals with SSADHD.

The continuously evolving phenotype of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency.

The objective of the study is to evaluate the evolving phenotype and genetic spectrum of patients with succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (SSADHD) in long-term follow-up. Longitudinal clinical and biochemical data of 22 pediatric and 9 adult individuals with SSADHD from the patient registry of the International Working Group on Neurotransmitter related Disorders (iNTD) were studied with in silico analyses, pathogenicity scores and molecular modeling of ALDH5A1 variants. Leading initial symptoms, with onset in infancy, were developmental delay and hypotonia. Year of birth and specific initial symptoms influenced the diagnostic delay. Clinical phenotype of 26 individuals (median 12 years, range 1.8-33.4 years) showed a diversifying course in follow-up: 77% behavioral problems, 76% coordination problems, 73% speech disorders, 58% epileptic seizures and 40% movement disorders. After ataxia, dystonia (19%), chorea (11%) and hypokinesia (15%) were the most frequent movement disorders. Involvement of the dentate nucleus in brain imaging was observed together with movement disorders or coordination problems. Short attention span (78.6%) and distractibility (71.4%) were the most frequently behavior traits mentioned by parents while impulsiveness, problems communicating wishes or needs and compulsive behavior were addressed as strongly interfering with family life. Treatment was mainly aimed to control epileptic seizures and psychiatric symptoms. Four new pathogenic variants were identified. In silico scoring system, protein activity and pathogenicity score revealed a high correlation. A genotype/phenotype correlation was not observed, even in siblings. This study presents the diversifying characteristics of disease phenotype during the disease course, highlighting movement disorders, widens the knowledge on the genotypic spectrum of SSADHD and emphasizes a reliable application of in silico approaches.

Mutations of GEMIN5 are associated with coenzyme Q10 deficiency: long-term follow-up after treatment.

GEMIN5 exerts key biological functions regulating pre-mRNAs intron removal to generate mature mRNAs. A series of patients were reported harboring mutations in GEMIN5. No treatments are currently available for this disease. We treated two of these patients with oral Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which resulted in neurological improvements, although MRI abnormalities remained. Whole Exome Sequencing demonstrated compound heterozygosity at the GEMIN5 gene in both cases: Case one: p.Lys742* and p.Arg1016Cys; Case two: p.Arg1016Cys and p.Ser411Hisfs*6. Functional studies in fibroblasts revealed a decrease in CoQ10 biosynthesis compared to controls. Supplementation with exogenous CoQ10 restored it to control intracellular CoQ10 levels. Mitochondrial function was compromised, as indicated by the decrease in oxygen consumption, restored by CoQ10 supplementation. Transcriptomic analysis of GEMIN5 patients compared with controls showed general repression of genes involved in CoQ10 biosynthesis. In the rigor mortis defective flies, CoQ10 levels were decreased, and CoQ10 supplementation led to an improvement in the adult climbing assay performance, a reduction in the number of motionless flies, and partial restoration of survival. Overall, we report the association between GEMIN5 dysfunction and CoQ10 deficiency for the first time. This association opens the possibility of oral CoQ10 therapy, which is safe and has no observed side effects after long-term therapy.

Hipertensión pulmonar grave como inicio de la enfermedad metabólica / Severe Pulmonary Hypertension as the Debut of Metabolic Disease

No disponible

Mosaicismo diploide/triploide: un fenotipo variable, pero característico / Diploid/triploid mosaicism: a variable but characteristic phenotype

Introducción. El mosaicismo diploide/triploide es una alteración cromosómica poco frecuente. La produce un fallo en la división poscigótica durante el desarrollo embrionario. Da lugar a la coexistencia de dos líneas celulares con diferente constitución cromosómica (46,XX y 69,XXX) en un mismo individuo. Su fenotipo clínico es característico. Las alteraciones pigmentarias con un patrón de distribución que sigue las líneas de Blaschko son el principal signo guía, así como las alteraciones de otros tejidos derivados del ectodermo. Casos clínicos. Describimos las características clínicas de tres pacientes afectos de mosaicismo diploide/triploide y realizamos una comparación de su fenotipo clínico con el de los casos publicados previamente en la bibliografía. Las alteraciones observadas con mayor frecuencia fueron alteraciones cutáneas, discapacidad intelectual, obesidad troncular, talla baja, hemihipertrofia, y manos pequeñas y estrechas con clino y camptodactilia. Las características fenotípicas de nuestros pacientes fueron similares a las de los casos comunicados previamente. Aunque no existe un fenotipo único y específico asociado al mosaicismo diploide/triploide, existen malformaciones características que conforman un síndrome malformativo bien definido. El cariotipo realizado en linfocitos de sangre periférica en las tres pacientes fue normal, y se logró el diagnóstico mediante cariotipo en fibroblastos cultivados tras biopsia de piel hipopigmentada. Conclusiones. La presencia de discapacidad intelectual asociada a obesidad troncular, talla baja, hemihipertrofia o clino y camptodactilia, además de las alteraciones cutáneas, debe hacer pensar en la posible existencia de un mosaicismo diploide/ triploide. En la mayoría de los casos, es necesario el estudio del cariotipo en los fibroblastos para llegar al diagnóstico (AU)

Introduction. Diploid/triploid mosaicism is a rare chromosomal abnormality. It is caused by a failure in the postzygotic division during embryonic development. It results in the coexistence of two genetically heterogeneous cell lines (46,XX and 69,XXX) in one individual. His clinical phenotype is characteristic. Pigmentary changes with a distribution pattern following Blaschko’s lines abnormalities in other ectoderm-derived tissues are the main diagnostic signs. Case reports. Three cases of diploid/triploid mosaicism are described, and compared to the previously reported cases. The most frequently observed symptoms were mental retardation, truncal obesity, short stature, hemihypertrophy, small and narrow hands with clino and camptodactyly. Phenotypic characteristics of our three patients were similar to those of previously reported cases. Although there is no single and specific phenotype associated with mosaicism diploid/triploid, there are some dysmorphic features that shape a recognizable malformative syndrome. Peripheral blood lymphocytes karyotype was normal in our patients. Diagnosis was reached performing a fibroblast karyotype from hypopigmented skin. Conclusions. Intellectual disability associated with truncal obesity, short stature, hemihypertrophy or clino/camptodactyly should suggest to clinicians the possible existence of a diploid/triploid mosaicism. In most cases, karyotype from fibroblasts is needed to reach the diagnosis (AU)

Hipotonía en el período neonatal: 12 años de experiencia / Hypotonia in the neonatal period: 12 years' experience

Introducción. La hipotonía es uno de los signos más frecuentes de patología neurológica en el neonato. Objetivos. Determinar, en un estudio retrospectivo a 12 años, la frecuencia relativa de patologías neurológicas que pueden cursar con hipotonía durante el período neonatal y describir la evolución neurológica a los dos años de seguimiento. Pacientes y métodos. Revisión sistemática de los recién nacidos hipotónicos sin causa identificable que ingresaron en la unidad neonatal del Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de enero de 1996 a diciembre de 2008. Se han recogido antecedentes familiares, datos relacionados con el embarazo y parto, características clínicas y pruebas complementarias. Resultados. Se identificaron 73 recién nacidos hipotónicos, de los cuales 21 (28,7%) cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. El 81% (n = 17) se clasificó como hipotonías centrales y el 19% (n = 4) como hipotonías periféricas. En el primer grupo, el 47% (n = 8) presentó alteraciones cromosómicas; el 29,4% (n = 5), enfermedades metabólicas, y el 23,5% (n = 4), malformaciones del sistema nervioso central. Conclusiones. Las causas centrales de hipotonía siguen siendo las más prevalentes en el período neonatal y, dentro de éstas, las cromosomopatías. Las causas periféricas son menos frecuentes y de pronóstico más grave. Los avances en genética molecular han permitido el diagnóstico genético y molecular de numerosas enfermedades neuromusculares. La diversidad y complejidad de patologías justifica el abordaje multidisciplinar de estos recién nacidos (AU)

Introduction. Hypotonia is one of the most frequent signs of neurological pathology in newborn infants. Aims. To determine, in a 12-year retrospective study, the relative frequency of neurological pathologies that can be accompanied by hypotonia during the neonatal period and to describe the neurological development after two years’ follow-up. Patients and methods. We conducted a systematic review of the newborn infants with hypotonia due to an identifiable cause who were admitted to the neonatal unit of the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu between January 1996 and December 2008. Information collected referred to family history, data related with the pregnancy and childbirth, clinical features and complementary tests. Results. A total of 73 hypotonic newborn infants were identified, 21 (28.7%) of whom met eligibility criteria. The majority, 81% (n = 17), were classified as central hypotonias and the remaining 19% (n = 4) were graded as peripheral hypotonias. In the first group, 47% (n = 8) presented chromosomal disorders, 29.4% (n = 5) had metabolic diseases and 23.5% (n = 4) displayed malformations of the central nervous system. Conclusions. The central causes of hypotonia continue to be the most prevalent in the neonatal period and, within these, chromosomal disorders are the most frequent. Peripheral causes are less common and have a more severe prognosis. Advances in molecular genetics have allowed many neuromuscular diseases to be diagnosed both genetically and at the molecular level. The diversity and complexity of the pathologies justifies a multidisciplinary approach being taken to treat these newborn infants (AU)

Aminoácidos en líquido cefalorraquídeo y plasma: utilidad en el estudio de las enfermedades neuropediátricas / Amino acids in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma: its usefulness in the study of neuropaediatric diseases

Introducción. El estudio de aminoácidos en el líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) es imprescindible en el diagnóstico de algunas enfermedades neurológicas y apoya el diagnóstico en otras. No existen trabajos en la bibliografía que muestren la relación fisiológica entre los valores de aminoácidos en LCR y plasma en población pediátrica. Objetivo. Definir unas ratios de aminoácidos en plasma y LCR en población pediátrica que permitan su uso en la práctica clínica diaria. Pacientes y métodos. Se han recogido y analizado de forma retrospectiva los aminogramas en plasma y LCR de 105 pacientes de edades comprendidas entre 0 y 12 meses. Se han incluido aminogramas cuyos valores de aminoácidos son normales según los valores de referencia de nuestro laboratorio. El análisis cuantitativo de aminoácidos se realizó mediante cromatografía líquida de alta resolución, y el análisis estadístico, con el programa SPSS v. 19.0. Resultados. Se muestran los valores medios, rango y desviación estándar de las concentraciones de aminoácidos en plasma y LCR, así como de las ratios LCR/plasma. Se han encontrado correlaciones significativas a partir de 0,6 entre diferentes aminoácidos neutros, sobre todo los de peso molecular más pequeño (Thr, Ser, Gly y Ala). Conclusiones. La existencia de correlaciones significativas entre diferentes aminoácidos neutros apoya el hecho de que éstos compartan los mismos transportadores en la barrera hematoencefálica. La estandarización de ratios de aminoácidos permitirá aumentar la sensibilidad en la detección de valores patológicos en plasma y LCR, profundizar en la fisiopatología de enfermedades neurológicas y quizá describir nuevas aminoacidopatías (AU)

Introduction. Studying the amino acids in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is essential in the diagnosis of some neurological diseases and is an important aid in the diagnosis of others. No research has been published in the literature to prove the physiological relationship between the values of amino acids in CSF and plasma in the paediatric population. Aim. To define a set of ratios for amino acids in plasma and CSF in the paediatric population that can be used in daily clinical practice. Patients and methods. The aminograms in plasma and CSF of 105 patients with ages between 0 and 12 months were collected and analysed retrospectively. Aminograms with amino acid values that are considered to be normal according to the reference values of our laboratory were included in the sample. The quantitative analysis of amino acids was performed using high-resolution liquid chromatography and statistical analysis with the software application SPSS 19.0. Results. The mean values, range and standard deviation of the amino acid concentrations in plasma and CSF, together with the CSF/plasma ratios, are reported. Significant correlations were found from 0.6 onwards between different neutral amino acids, above all in those with smaller molecular weights (Thr, Ser, Gly and Ala). Conclusions. The existence of significant correlations between the different neutral amino acids supports the idea that they share the same transporters in the blood-brain barrier. Standardising the amino acid ratios will make it possible to increase sensitivity in the detection of pathological values in plasma and CSF, to further knowledge of the pathophysiology of neurological diseases and perhaps to describe new aminoacidopathies (AU)

Hallazgos clínicos y genéticos en pacientes con deficiencia de biotinidasa detectados en el cribado neonatal o selectivo de sordera o de enfermedades metabólicas hereditarias / Clinical and genetic findings in patients with biotinidase deficiency detected through newborn screening or selective screening for hearing loss or inherited metabolic disease

Fundamento y objetivo: Comparar los datos clínicos, bioquímicos y genéticos de dos series de pacientes con deficiencia de biotinidasa. Pacientes y métodos:Quince casos detectados en el cribado neonatal y seis en el cribado selectivo para sordera o para enfermedades metabólicas hereditarias. Resultados: Ningún caso detectado en el cribado neonatal presentaba síntomas y sólo uno con deficiencia parcial desarrolló convulsiones que cedieron con biotina. La mutación p.D444H y la doble mutación [p.D444H; p.A171T] fueron las más frecuentes en este grupo. Sin embargo, los seis pacientes diagnosticados en el cribado selectivo presentaban síntomas neurológicos y las mutaciones detectadas fueron p.L32fs, p.G34fs, p.T401I, p.D444H, p.T532M y p.L466fs. Todos los pacientes con síntomas o con deficiencia profunda de biotinidasa se trataron con dosis farmacológicas de biotina (10-30mg/día). Conclusión: La deficiencia de biotinidasa debe incluirse en los programas de cribado neonatal con el fin de tratar precozmente incluso las formas parciales. Las diferentes mutaciones identificadas en las dos series de pacientes indican que el análisis genético mediante secuenciación directa del gen BTD sería útil para el diagnóstico rápido de las formas parciales o profundas de la enfermedad (AU)

Background and objetive: To evaluate clinical, biochemical and genetic findings of two series of patients with biotinidase deficiency.Patients and method: Fifteen cases detected through newborn screening and six through selective screening for hearing loss or metabolic disease. Results: No patient detected by neonatal screening had symptoms and only one case with partial biotinidase activity developed myoclonic seizures that resolved with biotin. More common mutations found among this group were p.D444H and the double mutation [p.D444H;p.A171T]. However, neurological and hearing manifestations predominated among the six symptomatic cases and mutations p.L32fs, p.G34fs, p.T401I, p.D444H, p.T532M and the novel one p.L466fs were identified. Patients with profound biotinidase deficiency and/or clinical signs were treated with pharmacological doses of biotin (10-30mg daily).Conclusion: Biotinidase deficiency must be included in the newborn screening programmes in order to begin early treatment even in partial forms. Different mutations found in both series of patients suggest that routine genetic procedure of the BTD gene by direct sequencing might be useful to assign patients to the partial or profound form of the disease (AU)

Secuencias de resonancia magnética por difusión en infecciones pediátricas del sistema nervioso central / Diffusion-weighted imaging in pediatric central nervous system infections

Introducción. Las infecciones del sistema nervioso central (SNC) en pediatría se asocian a una gran morbimortalidad. La neuroimagen desempeña un papel cada vez más importante en la detección precoz de complicaciones neurológicas. Objetivo. Describir los hallazgos encontrados en las secuencias de difusión (DWI) y su posible utilidad en el diagnóstico precoz y el pronóstico de las secuelas neurológicas. Pacientes y métodos. Es un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de una serie de 23 pacientes, con edades comprendidas entre 1 mes y 16 años, afectos de infección del SNC, a los que se realizó resonancia magnética (RM). Resultados. La clasificación etiológica fue la siguiente: 13 casos de meningoencefalitis vírica y 10 casos de meningitis bacteriana. La RM se realizó entre el primer y séptimo día de ingreso. Encontramos lesión del SNC en RM convencional o DWI en 14 de 23 casos (60%). En tres pacientes, la lesión neurológica (infarto cortical aislado) sólo fue evidente en la DWI. Encontramos algún tipo de secuela neurológica en 17 de 21 casos. La secuela neurológica identificada con mayor frecuencia fue la epilepsia (9 de 21). Al relacionar las secuelas con los hallazgos en RM y con la DWI, vimos una mayor tendencia a encontrar secuelas más graves cuando existen hallazgos patológicos en la neuroimagen, con una relación que no es estadísticamente significativa. Conclusiones. Las DWI pueden ser útiles en el diagnóstico precoz de complicaciones neurológicas en las infecciones del SNC (AU)

Introduction. Central nervous system (CNS) infections are associated with high morbility and mortality. Neuroimaging plays an important role in the early diagnosis and characterisation of neurological complications. Aim. To report the findings in diffusion-weighted images (DWI) and its potential contribution to the early diagnosis and prognosis of neurological sequelae. Patients and methods. Descriptive study of a series of 23 patients, between the ages of 1 month and 16 years, who presented with CNS infection. MRI, with DWI, was performed in all of them. Results. We found 13 viral meningoencephalitis and 10 bacterial meningitis. MRI was performed from day one to seventh after hospitalization. We found CNS affection in conventional MRI and/or DWI in 14 of 23 cases (60%). In three patients the neurological injury was only evident in DWI. We found any type of neurological sequelae in 17 of 21 evaluable patients. The most common neurological sequelae we found was epilepsy (9 of 21). When we related sequelae with conventional MRI and DWI we found a trend in associated more severe sequelae when there are pathological findings in neuroimaging, not statistically significant. Conclusions. DWI sequence can be useful in the early diagnosis of neurological complications in CNS infections (AU)

Hemicerebel·litis / No disponible

Introducció. L’hemicerebel·litis és una entitat que espot presentar de manera heterogènia, per la qual cosa laressonància magnètica en fase precoç pot ajudar a establir-ne el diagnòstic.Observació clínica. Nena de nou anys amb afectació del’estat general, vòmits, febre, vertigen amb tendència a lalateralització del cap a l’esquerra i afectació fluctuant delnivell de consciència. S’orienta com a hemicerebel·litis mitjançantla ressonància magnètica nuclear. S’inicia tractamentamb metilprednisolona, que origina millora clínica iradiològica.Comentaris. L’hemicerebel·litis és una entitat infreqüent.La ressonància magnètica nuclear en seqüències T2i amb gadolini permet establir-ne el diagnòstic. L’ús de corticoidesestà justificat en casos amb afectació neurològicaimportant o afectació de l’estat general. S’han descrit altresopcions terapèutiques i altres mètodes de neuroimatge (AU)

Introduction. Hemicerebellitis is an entity that can manifestwith a wide spectrum of signs and symptoms and forwhich magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help establishthe diagnosis at an early phase.Case Report. A 9 year-old girl presented with vomiting,fever, dizziness, tilting of the head to the left, and fluctuantlevel of consciousness. MRI showed signs consistentwith the diagnosis of hemicerebellitis. Treatment withmethyl-prednisolone was administered, with good clinicaland radiological response.Comments. Hemicerebellitis is an infrequent entity.The typical MRI findings in the T2 sequences and aftergadolinium administration are key elements to diagnosis.The use of steroids is justified in severe cases and in thepresence of neurological deficits. Other therapeutic optionsand other neuroimaging methods have also been described (AU)

Utilidad del análisis del líquido cefalorraquídeo para el estudio de las deficiencias del metabolismo de neurotransmisores y pterinas y del transporte de glucosa y folato a través de la barrera hematoencefálica / Usefulness of analysis of cerebrospinal fluid for the diagnosis of neurotransmitters and pterin defects and glucose and folate transport deficiencies across blood brain barrier

Fundamento y objetivo: En la última década se ha descrito diferentes errores congénitos del metabolismo de los neurotransmisores (NT), en especial de las vías dopaminérgica y serotoninérgica y de las pterinas. También se ha descrito defectos primarios en el transporte de glucosa y 5-metiltetrahidrofolato (5-MTHF) a través de la barrera hematoencefálica, todos ellos enfermedades raras para cuyo diagnóstico es necesario el estudio en líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR). Nuestro objetivo ha sido evaluar los resultados de la aplicación de un protocolo de análisis de LCR en España y Portugal durante 3 años en pacientes pediátricos con trastornos neurológicos de origen desconocido. Pacientes y método: Se estudió a 127 individuos control y 283 pacientes con trastornos neurológicos de origen desconocido. El análisis de NT se realizó mediante HPLC con detección electroquímica y el análisis de pterinas y 5-MTHF, mediante HPLC con detección de fluorescencia. Resultados: Se ha diagnosticado 3 deficiencias de tirosina hidroxilasa en una misma familia, 2 casos de distonía sensible a L-dopa, 2 familias con defiencia de guanosinatrifosfato-ciclohidrolasa dominante (14 casos), 2 deficiencias del transportador de glucosa y 43 deficiencias de folato en LCR. Conclusiones: Este estudio ha permitido el diagnóstico de nuevos pacientes y, lo que es más importante, el establecimiento en todos ellos de un tratamiento farmacológico o nutricional. Las deficiencias de 5-MTHF han sido las más frecuentes y se las ha detectado en diferentes grupos de pacientes

Background and objective: In the last few years, it has been described inborn errors of neurotransmitter and pterin metabolism and defects in folate and glucose transport across blood brain barrier. All these defects are classified as rare diseases and needs cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample analysis for diagnosis. Our aim was to evaluate the results of the application of a CSF analysis protocol in a pediatric population from Spain and Portugal presenting with neurological disorders of unknown origin. Patients and method: We studied CSF samples from and 283 patients with neurological disorders of unknown origin and 127 controls. Neurotransmitters were analysed by HPLC with electrochemical detection, and pterins and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate were determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Results: We diagnosed 3 patients with tyrosine hidroxylase deficiency, 2 with dopa responsive dystonia, 14 with GTP-ciclohydrolase deficiency, 2 with glucose transport deficiency and 43 with cerebral folate deficiency. Conclusions: This study allowed us to diagnose new patients, and more importantly, the establishment in all of them of a pharmacological or nutritional treatment. The most frequent defect found was CSF 5-methyltetrahydrofolate deficiency, which was present in different groups of patients

Lactante con alteración del nivel de conciencia / Infant with lethargy

Introducción. Los lactantes afectos de intolerancia hereditaria a la fructosa (IHF) pueden desarrollar coma hipoglucémico durante el primer año de vida, al introducir la fructosa en su dieta. Observación clínica. Lactante de sexo femenino y cinco meses de vida que consulta por afectación progresiva del Lactant amb alteració del nivell de consciència nivel de conciencia después de su primera papilla de fruta. Se constata hipoglucemia severa y la niña se recupera con lactancia artificial. La detección de las mutaciones más frecuentes del gen de la aldolasa B en el cromosoma 9q facilitaron el diagnóstico. Comentarios. La IHF está causada por un déficit en la aldolasa B, es de herencia autosómica recesiva y tiene una incidencia estimada de 1:30000 neonatos vivos. Los niños afectos desarrollan sintomatología abdominal severa y sintomatología secundaria a la hipoglucemia al introducir en su dieta alimentos que contengan fructosa o azúcares compuestos. Si, a pesar de los síntomas iniciales, la ingesta de fructosa persiste, la enfermedad puede progresar a fallo hepático y disfunción tubular renal proximal. A partir de la edad escolar, el enfermo desarrolla aversión para los alimentos dulces de forma espontánea; a menudo, permanecerá sin diagnosticar. El diagnóstico inicial depende de un gran índice de sospecha; más tarde, estudios bioquímicos y genéticos establecerán el diagnóstico definitivo. Las pruebas de provocación están desaconsejadas. El tratamiento consiste en una dieta exenta en fructosa (AU)