Evaluation of hair structural abnormalities in children with different neurological diseases.

BACKGROUND: Hair microscopy is a fast and effortless diagnostic method for many diseases affecting hair in daily practice. Many diseases can present with hair shaft disorders in pediatric neurology practice. METHODS: Children with pathological hair findings were included in our study. Microscopic evaluation of the hair was performed under light microscopy. The clinical findings, pathological hair shaft findings, laboratory tests, and final diagnosis of the patients were evaluated. RESULTS: In our study, 16 patients with rare pathological hair findings were identified. Of these 16 patients, nine were diagnosed with giant axonal neuropathy, three with Griscelli syndrome, two with Menkes disease, and two with autosomal recessive woolly hair disease. In hair inspection, curly and tangled hair in patients with giant axonal neuropathy; silvery blond hair in patients with Griscelli syndrome; sparse, coarse, and light-colored hair in patients with Menkes disease; and hypotrichosis in patients with autosomal recessive woolly hair were remarkable findings. Dystrophic hair was detected in most of the patients on light microscopy. In addition, signs of trichorrhexis nodosa, tricoptylosis, and pili torti were found. In particular, pigment deposition in the hair shaft of two patients diagnosed with Griscelli syndrome and pili torti findings in two patients with Menkes disease were the most important findings suggestingthe diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Detection of hair findings in the physical examination and performing light microscopic evaluation facilitates the diagnosis of rare diseases accompanied by hair findings. A hair examination should be performed as a part of physical and neurological examinationson eachpatient regardless of thecomplaint.

[Menkes disease, a diagnosis to consider in case of severe epilepsy with hyperlactacidemia: a case report]. / Epilepsie réfractaire et hyperlactacidémie chez un nourrisson : la maladie de Menkès, un diagnostic à envisager. A propos d'un cas.

Menkes disease is an X-linked recessive disorder affecting copper metabolism due to an inactivating mutation of ATP7A gene. This result in loss of copper intestinal absorption, tissue deficiency and failure in multiple essential copper-enzyme systems such as the cytochrome c oxidase. Symptoms usually occur during the first months of life with neurological signs such as epilepsy associated to other signs among them typical hair appearance. We report the case of a 3 month-old infant hospitalized due to partial tonic-clonic seizures. Laboratory findings showed increased of lactates in blood and in cerebrospinal fluid. First screenings for infectious, metabolic and genetic causes were negative. After recurrence of multifocal seizures further investigations are made according to the presence of thick and tortuous hair. Low levels of ceruloplasmin and copper in plasma are in agreement with the suspected diagnosis of Menkes disease. Molecular analysis of the ATP7A gene confirmed the diagnosis with a non-sens mutation.

Low function of natural killer cells in treated classic Menkes disease.

BACKGROUND: Menkes disease (MD) is a rare lethal X-linked, multisystem disorder of copper metabolism resulting from mutations in the ATP7A gene. Features such as Ehlers- Danlos syndrome, trichopoliodystrophy, urologic and skeletal changes have been reported. We present a case of classic MD treated with copper infusions who suffered from persistent natural killer (NK) cell dysfunction. CASE: A 2-year-old, Caucasian male child presented at 8-month-old of age with persistent hypotonia, kinky hair and developmental regression. Diagnosis of MD was based on low serum levels of copper [5 mg/dl (18-37)] and ceruloplasmin [18 ug/dl (75-153)] and gene-targeted deletion/duplication analysis performed by the reference laboratory. Brain MRI showed mild hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis and vascular tortuosity typical of MD. Copper chloride treatment was immediately initiated. The child became more alert with excellent eye contact and purposeful movements. The child was hospitalized for recurrent respiratory infections, each time caused by enterovirus as confirmed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Extensive immunologic studies were negative, except for a severe NK cell dysfunction on multiple occasions (0.6 NK lytic Units; N > 2.6). CONCLUSION: We postulate that NK cell dysfunction in a classic MD can be explained by the deficient incorporation of copper in the endoplasmic reticulum resulting in an abnormal Fenton chemistry within phagosomes.

Report of a novel ATP7A mutation causing distal motor neuropathy.

We describe a novel ATP7A gene mutation associated with distal motor neuropathy, mild connective tissue abnormalities and autonomic disturbances. Next-generation sequencing analysis of a lower-motor neuron diseases gene panel was performed in two sibs presenting with distal motor neuropathy plus an autonomic dysfunction, which main manifestations were retrograde ejaculation, diarrhea and hyperhydrosis. Probands underwent dysmorphological, neurological, electrophysiological as well as biochemical evaluations and somatic and autonomic innervation studies on skin biopsies. A novel missense mutation (p.A991D) was identified in the X-linked ATP7A gene, segregating in both brothers and inherited from their healthy mother. Biochemical studies on patients' blood samples showed reduced serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels. Clinical and neurophysiological evaluation documented dysautonomic signs. Quantitative evaluation of skin innervation disclosed a small fiber neuropathy with prevalent autonomic involvement. Mutations in the ATP7A gene, encoding for a copper-transporting ATPase, have been associated with the severe infantile neurodegenerative Menkes disease and in its milder variant, the Occipital Horn Syndrome. Only two ATP7A mutations were previously reported as causing, a pure axonal distal motor neuropathy (dHMN-SMAX3). The phenotype we report represents a further example of this rare genotype-phenotype correlation and highlights the possible occurrence in SMAX3 of autonomic disturbances, as described for Menkes disease and Occipital Horn Syndrome.

A severe case of Menkes disease with repeated bone fracture during the neonatal period, followed by multiple arterial occlusion.

Menkes disease (MD) is a lethal infantile neurodegenerative disorder with X-linked inheritance, characterized by progressive neurodegenerative symptoms caused by pathogenic variants in the ATP7A. Early diagnosis and treatment are important, although the diagnosis is difficult prior to 2 months of age. We present an unusually severe case of MD with skull fractures at the birth and repeated fractures during the neonatal period, with further examinations leading to diagnosis. The patient died due to hemorrhagic shock, due to multiple arterial occlusion despite initiation of copper-histidine therapy in early infancy. Bone fracture at birth and multiple arterial occlusion are very rare findings in MD. This unusual and severe presentation emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. A congenital bone fracture should be considered as a possible presentation of MD, especially in cases without birth complications.

Menkes disease complicated by concurrent Koolen-de Vries syndrome (17q21.31 deletion).

BACKGROUND: Koolen-de Vries (KdV) syndrome is caused by a 17q21.31 deletion leading to clinical symptoms of hypotonia and developmental delay and can present with abnormal hair texture. Menkes disease is an X-linked recessive inherited disease caused by pathogenic variants in ATP7A, which leads to profound copper deficiency. METHOD: We identified an infant male who presented with prematurity, hypotonia, and dysmorphic features for whom a family history of clinical Menkes disease was revealed after discussion with the clinical genetics team. RESULTS: Although initial first-tier genetic testing identified Kdv syndrome (17q21.31 syndrome), the family history led the team to consider a second diagnostic possibility, and testing of ATP7A revealed a pathogenic variant (c.601C>T, p.R201X). CONCLUSION: Menkes disease and KdV syndrome may both present with hypotonia and abnormal hair, in addition to seizures and failure to thrive. While these genetic conditions have overlapping clinical features, they have different natural histories and different therapeutic options. Here, we report on a patient affected with both disorders and review the diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties this presented.

A systematic review and evidence-based guideline for diagnosis and treatment of Menkes disease.

Menkes disease is a rare X-linked neurodegenerative disorder caused by defect in copper metabolism. Parenteral copper supplementation has been used as a potential disease-modifying treatment of Menkes disease for decades. However, recent evidence suggests its efficacy only when treatment is started within days after birth, which also has important implications related to the techniques that enable early diagnosis. We aim at proposing a guideline for prenatal and neonatal diagnosis and for disease-modifying treatment of Menkes disease, guided by a systematic review of the literature, and built in conjunction with medical experts, methodologists and patient representatives. Thirteen articles were used for our recommendations that were based on GRADE system. Reviewed evidence suggests that prenatal genetic diagnosis in families with previous diagnosis of Menkes disease is feasible; analysis of plasma catecholamine levels is accurate for neonatal diagnosis of Menkes disease; treatment with copper-histidine is effective to increase survival and reduce neurologic burden of the disease if initiated in the neonatal period; and, treatment indication should not be guided by patient's genotype. In conclusion, our guideline can contribute to standardize some aspects of the clinical care of patients with Menkes disease, especially reducing disease burden and mortality and providers' and families' anxiety.

Neuroimaging findings in Menkes disease: a rare neurodegenerative disorder.

Menkes disease is a rare neurodegenerative metabolic disease with a reported incidence of 1 per 300 000 live births. It occurs due to mutations in ATP7A gene located on X-chromosome leading to deficiency of several copper-containing enzymes. The patient presents with history of neuroregression with characteristic kinky hair. MRI is the imaging modality of choice. Characteristic imaging findings are: bilateral subdural hygromas, cerebral and cerebellar atrophy, white matter changes and tortuous intracranial vessels on angiography. The rarity of this condition prompted us to report this case of Menkes disease along with the characteristic neuroimaging findings and brief review of literature.

How to use tests for disorders of copper metabolism.

In paediatrics, one of our main aims in the diagnostic process is to identify any treatable conditions. The copper metabolism disorder Wilson's disease (WD) is one such condition that is caused by mutations in the ATP7B gene. Delay in treatment could result in irreversible disability or even death. Although liver disease is the most common presenting feature in children, some children may initially present with a subtle neurological presentation only. In patients presenting with dystonia, tremor, dysarthria or with a deterioration in school performance, there should be a high index of suspicion for WD. However, the differential of these clinical presentations is wide and exclusion of WD is difficult. No single diagnostic test can exclude WD and each of the biochemical tests has limitations. In this article, we discuss copper metabolism disorders including WD and Menke's disease. We then discuss the available diagnostic tests and how to investigate children for these rare disorders.

Identification of novel ATP7A mutations and prenatal diagnosis in Chinese patients with Menkes disease.

Menkes disease (MD) is a fatal X-linked multisystem disease caused by mutations in ATP7A. In this study, clinical and genetic analysis was performed in 24 male MD patients. Development delay, seizures, kinky coarse hair, and dystonia were found in 24, 22, 24, and 24 patients, respectively. Serum ceruloplasmin/copper tested in 19 patients was low. Abnormal classic features of MD presented in the MRI/MRA of 19 patients. Seventeen mutations of ATP7A were identified in 22 patients. Twelve were novel mutations including three small deletion/insertion, one missense mutation, two nonsense mutations, three splicing-site mutations, and three gross deletions. Twenty-two patients were genetically diagnosed; neither point mutation nor deletion/duplication was found in two of them. c.2179G > A found in five patients might be a hot-spot mutation. Prenatal molecular diagnosis was performed for five unrelated fetuses (1 female and 4 male), which found four fetuses to be wild type and one male carried the same mutation as the proband. This study of the largest sample of Chinese MD patients examined to date discovered the unique phenotype and genotype spectrum in Chinese patients with 12 novel mutations of ATP7A, and that c.2179G > A might be a hot-spot mutation in MD patients. Five successful prenatal diagnosis contributed important information for MD families.

Characterization of ATP7A missense mutants suggests a correlation between intracellular trafficking and severity of Menkes disease.

Menkes disease (MD) is caused by mutations in ATP7A, encoding a copper-transporting P-type ATPase which exhibits copper-dependent trafficking. ATP7A is found in the Trans-Golgi Network (TGN) at low copper concentrations, and in the post-Golgi compartments and the plasma membrane at higher concentrations. Here we have analyzed the effect of 36 ATP7A missense mutations identified in phenotypically different MD patients. Nine mutations identified in patients with severe MD, virtually eliminated ATP7A synthesis, in most cases due to aberrant RNA splicing. A group of 21 predominantly severe mutations led to trapping of the protein in TGN and displayed essentially no activity in a yeast-based functional assay. These were predicted to inhibit the catalytic phosphorylation of the protein. Four mutants showed diffuse post-TGN localization, while two displayed copper dependent trafficking. These six variants were identified in patients with mild MD and typically displayed activity in the yeast assay. The four post-TGN located mutants were presumably affected in the catalytic dephosphorylation of the protein. Together these results indicate that the severity of MD correlate with cellular localization of ATP7A and support previous studies indicating that phosphorylation is crucial for the exit of ATP7A from TGN, while dephosphorylation is crucial for recycling back to TGN.

Menkes Disease Mimicking Child Abuse.

Althouygh Menkes disease has well-recognized neurologic, developmental, and cutaneous features, the initial presentation may resemble child abuse. We describe a 5-month-old boy with multiple fractures indicative of nonaccidental trauma who was ultimately diagnosed with Menkes disease. Copper deficiency leads to connective tissue abnormalities and may result in subdural hematomas, wormian bones, cervical spine defects, rib fractures, and spurring of the long bone metaphyses. Several of these findings, including fractures and subdural hematomas, may be misinterpreted as child abuse.

Ataxia telangiectasia, Menkes kinky hair disease and neurocutaneous melanosis.

This article explores three neurocutaneous syndromes (NCSs), i.e. genetic disorders producing developmental abnormalities of the skin and an increased risk of neurological complications. In this review, different aspects of ataxia telangiectasia, Menkes kinky hair disease and neurocutaneous melanosis are examined: clinical features, genetic defect, mutation spectrum, pathogenesis, and neurobiological basis; indications for clinical practice are also provided to the readers. The aim of this review is to stress the importance of cooperation among dermatologists, neurologists and psychiatrists, in order to provide patients suffering from these diseases with timely diagnosis and targeted treatments.