Clinical, biochemical, and molecular insights into Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis: A nationwide study of 100 Turkish individuals.

OBJECTIVE: Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is an inherited metabolic disorder characterized by progressive neurologic and extraneurologic findings. The aim of this retrospective, descriptive study was to explore the time of presentation and diagnosis, and to expand the phenotype and genotype of CTX, based on a nationwide and comprehensive series of patients in Turkey. METHODS: The demographic, clinical, biochemical and genotypic characteristics of the CTX patients were reviewed. Data on molecular analysis, age of onset and diagnosis, diagnostic delay, neurologic and extraneurologic symptomatology, results of plasma cholestanol levels, brain magnetic resonance imaging and electromyography at the time of diagnosis were reviewed. RESULTS: 100 confirmed CTX patients from 72 families were included. The mean age at diagnosis was 28.16 ± 14.28 years, and diagnostic delay was 18.39 ± 13.71 years. 36 patients were diagnosed in childhood. Frequency of intention tremor (p = 0.069), peripheral neuropathy (p = 0.234) and psychiatric manifestations (p = 0.396) did not differ between two groups, demonstrating the high rate in pediatric patients. Three adult patients showed a milder phenotype without neurologic involvement. Seven patients had normal plasma cholestanol levels despite neurological impairment. Sequencing of the CYP27A1 gene revealed 25 different variants, with a novel c.671_672del variant not previously described in literature. CONCLUSION: Based on the observations of this Turkish CTX cohort, it is emphasized that the true prevalence of CTX is probably underestimated and that it has a wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes even without neurological impairment. In children, abnormal cerebellar findings, peripheral neuropathy and psychiatric findings associated with intellectual disability have been suggested as warning signs to avoid diagnostic delay. In cases of clinical suspicion, molecular analysis is recommended despite normal plasma cholestanol levels, as severe neurologic involvement may occur in CTX patients without elevated cholestanol levels.

Urinary neopterin and biopterin indicate that inflammation has a role in autism spectrum disorder.

Inflammation is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Pteridine metabolites are biomarkers of inflammation that increase on immune system activation. In this study, we investigated the urinary pteridine metabolites in ASD patients as a possible biomarker for immune activation and inflammation. This observational, cross-sectional, prospective study collected urine samples from 212 patients with ASD and 68 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. Urine neopterin (NE) and biopterin (BIO) levels were measured. Patients who had chronic disorders, active infection at the time of sampling, or high C-reactive protein levels were excluded. The urine NE and BIO concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The ratios of both NE and BIO to creatinine (CRE) were used to standardise the measurements. The NE/CRE and NE/BIO levels were significantly higher in ASD patients than controls. Univariate and multivariate models revealed a significant increase in NE/CRE and NE/BIO in ASD patients. There was a significant relationship between the NE/BIO [average area under the curve (AUC) = 0.717; range: 0.637-0.797] and NE/CRE (average AUC = 0.756; range: 0.684-0.828) ratios, which distinguished individuals with ASD from controls. The elevated NE/CRE and NE/BIO ratios suggest that inflammation and T cell-mediated immunity are involved in the pathophysiology of autism. NE/BIO could serve as a diagnostic inflammatory marker in the pathogenesis of ASD.

Safety of COVID-19 vaccines in children with inborn errors of metabolism in terms of developing metabolic decompensation.

AIM: There are no recommended guidelines or clinical studies on safety of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs). Here, we aimed to examine the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination and metabolic outcome in paediatric IEM patients. METHODS: Patients with IEM between the ages of 12 and 18 were enrolled. Term metabolic decompensation was defined as acute disruption in metabolic homeostasis due to vaccination. Clinical and biochemical markers were compared between pre- and post-vaccination periods. RESULTS: Data from a total of 36 vaccination episodes in 18 patients were included. Thirteen patients had intoxication-type metabolic disorders including organic acidemia (OA), urea cycle disorders (UCDs), maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) and phenylketonuria (PKU); 4 patients had energy metabolism disorders including fatty acid metabolism disorders and LIPIN 1 deficiency; and 1 patient had glycogen storage disorder (GSD) type 5. Seventeen patients received BNT162b2, and 1 received CoronaVac because of an underlying long QT syndrome. Fatty acid metabolism disorders, LIPIN 1 deficiency and GSD type 5 were included in the same group named 'metabolic myopathies'. In two PKU patients, plasma phenylalanine level increased significantly within 24 h following the second dose of vaccination. None of the OA, UCD, MSUD and metabolic myopathy patients experienced acute metabolic attack and had emergency department admission due to metabolic decompensation within 1 month after vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 vaccines did not cause acute metabolic decompensation in a cohort of 18 children with IEM.

Inborn errors of metabolism and coronavirus disease 2019: Evaluation of the metabolic outcome.

BACKGROUND: Infectious diseases can result in a catabolic state and possibly trigger an acute metabolic decompensation in inborn errors of metabolism (IEM), which could be life threatening. Studies regarding the course of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections in patients with IEM are generally limited to case reports. Here, we aimed to evaluate the clinical findings of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and describe the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections on metabolic outcomes in IEM patients. METHODS: Patients who were diagnosed with different types of IEM and developed microbiologically confirmed COVID-19 infection were included. Clinical findings and laboratory results were recorded retrospectively in terms of both IEM and COVID-19. RESULTS: Eleven patients with diagnosis of intoxication type metabolic disorders, five patients with energy metabolism disorders, and six patients with complex molecular disorders were enrolled. The most frequent clinical finding was fever (52.1%) followed by fatigue/myalgia (47.8%). None of the patients was younger than 1 year. None of the patients presented severe or critical disease. In terms of metabolic decompensation, two patients diagnosed with propionic acidemia, one patient with methylmalonic acidemia and one patient with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA lyase deficiency presented clinical and biochemical findings of an acute metabolic attack. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, IEM are not found to be an additional risk factor for severe COVID-19 infection. However, patients with intoxication type and energy metabolism disorders should be considered as a vulnerable population for COVID-19 and have a major risk of developing acute metabolic decompensation that can lead to life-threatening complications.

The Impact of Telemedicine for Monitoring and Treatment of Phenylketonuria Patients on Metabolic Outcome During Coronavirus Disease-19 Outbreak.

Introduction: The prognosis of phenylketonuria (PKU) in terms of neurocognitive outcome is directly related to lifelong phenylalanine (Phe) levels and adherence to treatment. Monitoring and treatment of PKU patients can be complicated in challenging circumstances as pandemics. This study aims to evaluate the impact of telemedicine for monitoring and treatment of PKU patients on metabolic outcome during coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) outbreak. Materials and Methods: Patients who were diagnosed as PKU and treated with low Phe diet, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), or BH4 adjunct with low Phe diet were enrolled. Study period was divided into two periods: prepandemic period wherein patients were followed up in outpatients' clinic and during pandemic wherein telemedicine was used. Demographic findings, laboratory results, and therapy responses were reviewed retrospectively and compared between the two periods. All procedures were in accordance with the ethical standards of the local ethical committee of Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty (17/11/2020-151640) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2013. Results: Ninety-three (n = 93) patients were enrolled to this study. The ratio of the samples with Phe levels in the recommended ranges was found to be statistically higher during the pandemic wherein an online monitoring system was used in all treatment modalities (p< 0.05). The decrease in Phe washout frequency was statistically significant during the pandemic in the low Phe diet group (p < 0.05). Considering the relationship between Phe tolerance before and during the pandemic, a significant increase in Phe tolerance was noted during the pandemic in the low Phe diet group (p< 0.05). Conclusions: Telemedicine can be an appropriate and effective monitoring option for PKU patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Telemedicine Applications in a Tertiary Pediatric Hospital in Turkey During COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: A novel type of Coronavirus emerged at Wuhan in late 2019 involving preferentially the respiratory system. Owing to the rapid spread, almost 22 million people became infected and 700,000 died. Similar to other countries, the need for additional hospital beds and intensive care units required diversion of health care resources toward the care for those with COVID-19 in Turkey. Telemedicine appeared as a safe and low-cost alternative for the maintainability of pediatric health services during the pandemics. Within this context, we aimed to deliver the health services through telemedicine during the follow-up of chronic childhood diseases. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included five pediatric subspecialties, including allergy immunology, hematology and oncology, nephrology, rheumatology, and inborn metabolic disorders. After the interview, patients and involved physicians were requested to fill out a questionnaire designed to measure the level of satisfaction and the quality of the service we offered. Results: Of the 263 interviews, overall patient and physician satisfaction was 99% and 87%, respectively. As results of the interviews, 250 routine visits were performed, 181 acute complaints were assessed, drug changes were made in 118 patients, 9 patients were determined to be unable to get their drugs, and 12 who misused their drugs. The main advantage of the telemedicine declared by the patients was "not to waste time for transportation." The main concerns of the participants were inability to perform physical and laboratory examinations. Conclusion: Consequently, we considered telemedicine as a feasible alternative not only during pandemics but also in daily practice in Turkey.

The Role of Supportive Treatment in the Management of Hyperammonemia in Neonates and Infants.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), mainly continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF), and evaluate vasoactive requirements in hyperammonemic neonates and infants. METHODS: Patients who underwent CRRT for hyperammonemia were retrospectively analyzed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients in 7 of the encounters were treated solely by CVVHDF. During 3 encounters, patients who received continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD) were transitioned to CVVHDF. CVVHD was used in 3 encounters. The median 50% reduction time for ammonia was 8 h (range 3-15 h). The median duration of CRRT treatment was 40 h (range 24-89 h). Survival to hospital discharge occurred in 12 encounters (92.3%). Eleven encounters (84.6%) were treated with different vasoactive agents. In those encounters, the median vasoactive medications' start time was the 6th hours (range 2-60 h) of CRRT. There was no association between the vasoactive index score and pre-dialysis ammonia concentration. CONCLUSIONS: CRRT achieves timely control of hypeammonemic states. Hemodynamic instability necessitating intervention with vasoactive medications is a common finding in patients with hyperammonemia.

Oxidative stress among L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria disease patients: evaluation of dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis.

L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (L2HGA) is an autosomal recessive disorder that is caused by deficiency of 2-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase. Pathophysiology of brain damage is poorly understood. In recent years, it was proposed that oxidative stress was elevated and led to brain injury. Aim of this study is to evaluate thiol/disulphide homeostasis as an indicator of oxidative stress in L2HGA patients who have been receiving antioxidant treatment. Sixteen L2HGA patients and 16 healthy individuals were included in the study. All the L2HGA patients were regularly followed up and presented neurological dysfunction at different grades. Fourteen patients had been receiving antioxidant treatment. Serum native thiol (-SH), total thiol (-SH + -S-S-) and disulphide (-S-S) levels were measured. Disulphide/native thiol, disulphide/total thiol and native thiol/total thiol ratios were calculated from these values. No significant difference was observed in -SH, -SH + -S-S-, -S-S levels between two groups. In addition to that, no increase of disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol ratios was detected. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis parameters were also compared between patients who had been receiving and not receiving antioxidant therapy; and between different types of antioxidant therapy and the results did not point to any significant difference. This is the first study that evaluates dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis as an indicator of oxidative stress in L2HGA and it has one of the largest sample sizes among previous studies. In our study we suggest that antioxidant therapy should be effective in preventing oxidative stress in L2HGA patients, which has been reported in previous studies and should be a part of standard therapy.

Evaluation of dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis as a novel indicator of oxidative stress in maple syrup urine disease patients under treatment.

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a metabolic disorder that is caused by deficiency of branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase complex. Although accumulation of toxic metabolites is associated with neurotoxicity, mechanisms underlying brain damage remain unclear. Aim of this study is to evaluate thiol/disulphide homeostasis as a novel indicator of oxidative stress in MSUD patients under treatment. Twenty patients with MSUD and 20 healthy individuals were included in study. All patients were under regular follow-up and had a good metabolic control. Serum native thiol (-SH), total thiol (-SH + -S-S-), disulphide (-S-S) levels were measured in all subjects. Disulphide/native thiol, disulphide/total thiol and native thiol/total thiol ratios were calculated from these values. Simultaneous blood sampling for plasma quantitative amino acid analysis was performed in both groups. Any significant difference was not observed in -SH, -SH + -S-S-, -S-S levels between two groups. In addition no increase of disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol ratios was detected in patient group. This study is the first study that evaluates dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis as an indicator of oxidative stress in MSUD patients. Among previous studies that were made to determine oxidative stress in treated MSUD patients, this study had the largest sample size also. In recent studies, it was claimed that oxidative stress could be responsible from neurotoxicity even in treated patients. Here, dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis status showed that providing good metabolic control in MSUD patients prevent oxidative stress. Under regular follow-up and good compliance with diet, additional antioxidant therapies would possibly not be necessary.

Bitterness of glucose/galactose: novel mutations in the SLC5A1 gene.

Glucose galactose malabsorption (GGM) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by life-threatening osmotic diarrhea at infancy. When the intake of the offending sugars (namely, glucose, galactose and lactose) is ceased, the diarrhea promptly stops. Mutations in the SLC5A1 gene, encoding the sodium-glucose co-transporter located in the brush border of enterocytes, have been shown to cause the disease. More than 300 subjects of diverse origin have been reported worldwide, most of whom are a result of a consanguineous union. We examined 6 patients from 4 families presenting with complaints consistent with GGM and responsive to the appropriate fructose-based diet. Genomic DNA of the patients was polymerase chain reaction amplified for each of the 15 exons of the SLC5A1 gene and analyzed by nucleotide sequencing. The analysis lead to the identification of 2 novel mutations: a 1915 del C mutation, a frameshift mutation leading to a premature stop at codon 645; and a substitution missense mutation of T to C on nucleotide 947 (exon 9) causing a L316P substitution. In addition, G426R and C255W mutations previously described were identified; in both cases, the patients were shown to be homozygous and their parents heterozygous for the mutation. Of note, additional patients who underwent a similar evaluation at our center for suspected GGM did not show mutations in the SLC5A1 gene. Because the latter did not previously undergo a diagnostic algorithm in full, for instance, one that may consist of a glucose breath hydrogen test and an empiric attempt of a dietary switch to galactomin, we suggest that molecular genotyping of such patients should only follow such appropriate clinical evaluation.

A Novel Homozygous ACBD5 Variant in an Emerging Peroxisomal Disorder Presenting with Retinal Dystrophy and a Review of the Literature.

Introduction: Acyl-CoA binding domain containing 5 (ACBD5) deficiency is a newly defined inborn peroxisomal disorder with only 7 patients reported to date. Herein, we report a patient with ACBD5 deficiency who was diagnosed after a complicated diagnostic process. Case Presentation: A 6-year-old male patient was admitted with complaints of neuromotor regression and visual disturbances. He had spastic paraparesis dominated with axial hypotonic posturing and horizontal nystagmus. His very-long-chain fatty acid levels were within normal ranges with a slightly elevated C26:0/C22:0 ratio. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed white matter involvement. Clinical exome sequencing displayed a novel homozygous intronic splice site variant (c.936 + 2T>G) in the ACBD5 (NM_145698.5) gene. Conclusion: With this report, a novel variant in ACBD5 deficiency was described. Macular dystrophy was demonstrated with optical coherence tomography imaging for the first time in the literature in ACBD5 deficiency. In order to contribute to the knowledge about the clinical, biochemical, and genetic spectrum of ACBD5 deficiency, new patients need to be defined.

An Overview of Acute Hepatic Porphyrias: Clinical Implications, Diagnostic Approaches, and Management Strategies.

Porphyrias are inborn errors of heme biosynthesis pathway that result in neurovisceral and/ or cutaneous manifestations which occur with episodic attacks, usually accompanied by a multisystemic involvement. Acute hepatic porphyrias include acute intermittent porphyria, variegate porphyria, hereditary coproporphyria, and aminolevulinic acid dehydratase deficiency porphyria. Acute hepatic porphyrias may present with symptoms of an affected central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous system and are generally diagnosed in time of an acute neurovisceral attack. In children, clinical picture is more complicated and presents with neurological findings predominantly. First-line investigation should be the urinary porphobilinogen and aminolevulinic acid performance when acute hepatic porphyria is clinically suspected. Comprehensive testing including urine porphyrin separation, fluorescence scanning of diluted plasma at neutral pH, evaluation of fecal porphyrins, and measurement of erythrocyte porphobilinogen deaminase activity is indicated for confirmation or exclusion of the porphyria and define the type of acute hepatic porphyrias. The main aim of the treatment is to decrease aminolevulinic acid, porphobilinogen, and porphyrins by reducing hepatic ALAS1 activity. The first measure should always be the avoidance of any porphyrinogenic drugs. Hemin therapy should not be delayed in the treatment of a severe acute attack. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs and prophylactic hemin protocols can be used for selected cases with more than 4 attacks per year. Givosiran is a promising treatment option for severe cases.

Maternal Inborn Errors of Metabolism Detected in Expanded Newborn Metabolic Screening.

OBJECTIVE: Pathologic results in expanded metabolic screening tests may be due to the medications, inappropriate sampling methods, or the maternal originated inborn errors of metabolism. The aim of this study is to identify mothers with inborn errors of metabolism through the pathologic expanded metabolic screening results of their babies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Babies who were under 1 year of age and had a pathologic result of an expanded newborn screening for inborn errors of metabolism and their mothers were included in this retrospective single-centered study. Data of expanded metabolic screening results of both babies and their mothers were recorded. Clinical and laboratory findings relevant to suspected inborn errors of metabolism due to the pathologic screening results analysis were also noted for the mothers. RESULTS: Seventeen babies and their mothers were enrolled. Expanded metabolic screening results were found compatible with inborn errors of metabolism in 4 (23.5%) of 17 mothers. Two of these mothers were diagnosed with 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase deficiency and 2 mothers were diagnosed with glutaric aciduria type 1. CONCLUSION: Inborn errors of metabolism can present in any period of life, and this is the first study to address the importance of metabolic screening via tandem mass spectrometry in terms of early diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism not only in pediatric aged patients but also in adulthood in Turkey. The performance of expanded metabolic screening tests may be an important step in terms of detecting maternal inborn errors of metabolism that are not diagnosed until adulthood.

A Methionine-Portioning-Based Medical Nutrition Therapy with Relaxed Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Patients with Pyridoxine-Nonresponsive Cystathionine-ß-Synthase Deficiency.

The main treatment for pyridoxine-nonresponsive cystathionine-ß-synthase deficiency is a strict diet. Most centers prescribe low-protein diets based on gram-protein exchanges, and all protein sources are weighed. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a more liberal methionine (Met)-based diet with relaxed consumption of fruits and vegetables on metabolic outcomes and dietary adherence. Ten patients previously on a low-protein diet based on a gram-protein exchange list were enrolled. The natural protein exchange lists were switched to a "Met portion exchange list". Foods containing less than 0.005 g methionine per 100 g of the food were accepted as exchange-free foods. The switch to Met portioning had no adverse effects on the control of plasma homocysteine levels in terms of metabolic outcomes. It resulted in a significant reduction in patients' daily betaine dose. All patients preferred to continue with this modality. In conclusion, methionine-portion-based medical nutrition therapy with relaxed consumption of fruits and vegetables seems to be a good and safe option to achieve good metabolic outcomes and high treatment adherence.

Autism Spectrum Disorder in Two Unrelated Patients with Homozygous Variants in Either ALG8 or ALG11.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is used to describe individuals with a specific combination of disorders in social communication and repetitive behaviors, highly restricted interests, and/or sensory behavior that begin early in life. The prevalence of ASD has been increasing rapidly in recent years. Pathophysiology of ASDs remains still unclear; however, genetic defects and multifactorial causes have been reported to play an important role in genetic disorders. The prevalence of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) reported among patients with ASD is 2-5%. The clinical presentation of congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) may be in the form of psychiatric disorder only. Case Study: Case 1: a 5-year-old female patient was admitted for investigation of ASD. She had a dysmorphic facial appearance, inverted nipples, abnormal fat distribution, ataxic gait, and autistic features. Her transferrin isoelectric focusing test was compatible with a type 1 CDG pattern. A homozygous variant in ALG8 gene revealed the diagnosis of ALG8-CDG (CDG Type 1H). Case 2: a 2-year-old male patient was admitted with complaints of ASD for investigation of an underlying IEM due to speech delay. Physical examination revealed hypertelorism, small hands, and autistic behavior. Transferrin isoelectric focusing test was also found normal. As a result of the WES, a homozygous variant was detected in ALG11 confirming the diagnosis of CDG type 1p. Conclusion: CDG should also be considered in the differential diagnosis of autistic patients with dysmorphic findings. The aim of our study was to emphasize that autism should be listed among the neurological findings of CDG.

BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination elicited protective robust immune responses in pediatric patients with inborn errors of metabolism.

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to a life-threatening acute metabolic decompensation in children with inborn errors of metabolism (IEM), so vaccination is mandatory. However, IEMs can also impair innate or adaptive immunity, and the impact of these immune system alterations on immunogenicity and vaccine efficacy is still unknown. Here, we investigated humoral immune responses to the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and clinical outcomes in pediatric IEM patients. Methods: Fifteen patients between 12-18 years of age with a confirmed diagnosis of IEM, and received BNT162b2 were enrolled to the study. Patients with an anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG concentration >50 AU/mL before vaccination were defined as "COVID-19 recovered" whereas patients with undetectable anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG concentration were defined as "COVID-19 naïve". Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody (nAb) titers were measured to assess humoral immune response. Results: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers and nAb IH% increased significantly after the first dose. The increase in antibody titers after first and second vaccination remained significant in COVID-19 naïve patients. Complete anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity and nAb IH% positivity was observed in all patients after the second dose. Vaccination appears to be clinically effective in IEM patients, as none of the patients had COVID-19 infection within six months of the last vaccination. Discussion: Humoral immune response after two doses of BNT162b2 in pediatric IEM patients was adequate and the immune response was not different from that of healthy individuals.

COVID-19 triggered encephalopathic crisis in a patient with glutaric aciduria type 1.

OBJECTIVES: The impact of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) on metabolic outcome in patients with inborn errors of metabolism has rarely been discussed. Herein, we report a case with an acute encephalopathic crisis at the course of COVID-19 disease as the first sign of glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA-1). CASE PRESENTATION: A 9-month-old patient was admitted with encephalopathy and acute loss of acquired motor skills during the course of COVID-19 disease. She had lethargy, hypotonia, and choreoathetoid movements. In terms of COVID-19 encephalopathy, the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay test for COVID-19 was negative in cerebral spinal fluid. Brain imaging showed frontotemporal atrophy, bilateral subcortical and periventricular white matter, basal ganglia, and thalamic involvement. Elevated glutarylcarnitine in plasma and urinary excretion of glutaric and 3-OH-glutaric acids was noted. A homozygote mutation in the glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase gene led to the diagnosis of GA-1. CONCLUSIONS: With this report, neurological damage associated with COVID-19 has been reported in GA-1 patients for the first time in literature.

Impact of sodium phenylbutyrate treatment in acute management of maple syrup urine disease attacks: a single-center experience.

OBJECTIVES: Accurate management of metabolic decompensation in maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) has a crucial role, as acute attacks can cause neurological sequels and can be life threatening. Here, we aimed to evaluate effect of sodium phenylbutyrate (NaPBA) in acute management of MSUD attacks. METHODS: Episodes with an initial plasma leucine (Leu) level above 750 µmoL/L and that require hospitalization due to clinical findings of Leu neurotoxicity and/or feeding difficulties were included to the study. Patients who had no molecular diagnosis and a regular follow-up were excluded. Clinical findings, laboratory results and therapy responses were reviewed, retrospectively. RESULTS: Ten patients who experienced 19 distinct episodes of MSUD attacks were enrolled. Initial median Leu level was 901.67 (range 756-1989.11) and 33.9 µmoL/L (range 7.91-347.3 µmoL/L) at the end of therapy. None of our patients underwent extracorporeal toxin removal during the course of attack. In patients with serial plasma quantitative amino acid sampling, mean Leu reduction rate was calculated to be 529.68 ± 250.08 µmoL/L/day at the 24th h of treatment and 318.72 ± 191.52 µmoL/L/day at the 48th h of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first original study that investigates the effect of NaPBA in management of acute attacks of MSUD patients from Turkey. We suggest that NaPBA treatment in MSUD attacks can ameliorate clinical and biochemical findings. This therapeutic option should be considered especially in smaller centers without the toxin removal chance and for patients who were not appropriate for extracorporeal toxin removal like hemodynamic instability.

The effect of low-carbohydrate diet on left ventricular diastolic function in obese children.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate left ventricle (LV) functions using conventional and tissue Doppler imaging in childhood obesity and to identify the effects of diet on LV diastolic functions. METHODS: Conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiographic measurements were compared in 34 obese children and 24 age- and gender-matched lean controls. Fasting plasma glucose, insulin and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance levels were also obtained. Thirty-one of the obese children were subjected to a low-carbohydrate diet and their follow-up measurements were obtained after 6 months. RESULTS: Left atrial diameter, LV mass and LV mass index were higher in obese children than in lean controls. Lateral mitral myocardial early diastolic (E(m)) and peak E(m)/myocardial late diastolic (A(m)) were lower, and mitral E/E(m) and lateral mitral myocardial isovolumetric relaxation time were higher in obese subjects than in lean controls. Insulin and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance levels were higher in obese patients and decreased significantly after diet. After diet therapy, lateral mitral E(m) and peak E(m)/A(m), were increased, mitral E/E(m) and myocardial isovolumetric relaxation time were decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity predisposes children to increased preload reserve, left ventricular subclinical diastolic dysfunction and deterioration in diastolic filling. Weight reduction with a low-carbohydrate diet seems to be associated with significant improvement in LV diastolic function and a decrease in diastolic filling, as well as causing reversal in insulin resistance seen in obese children.

Right ventricular subclinical diastolic dysfunction in obese children: the effect of weight reduction with a low-carbohydrate diet.

This study aimed primarily to identify whether childhood obesity leads to right ventricular (RV) subclinical diastolic dysfunction or not. It also aimed to examine the effect of weight reduction on right ventricular function. Standard and tissue Doppler echocardiography was performed for 28 overweight (body mass index [BMI], 25-30 kg/m(2)) and 34 obese (BMI, > or = 30 kg/m(2)) children and for 29 age- and sex-matched lean referents (BMI, 17-25 kg/m(2)). Levels of plasma lipids, fasting glucose, insulin, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were obtained for all the participants. For 6 months, 30 obese children were given a low-carbohydrate diet and then reevaluated by echocardiography. Conventional echocardiographic parameters all were similar for obese, overweight, and lean control children. The tricuspid free-wall isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), tricuspid lateral annular early diastolic velocity (e'), ratio of early-to-late diastolic velocity (e'/a'), and tricuspid lateral annular IVRT differed significantly between the overweight and control children. The RV tissue Doppler parameters were found to be similar between the preobese and control children. The IVRT of the RV free wall and lateral tricuspid annulus was significantly decreased, and the e'/a' of the lateral tricuspid annulus was significantly increased after the diet. In conclusion, obesity is associated with subclinical RV diastolic dysfunction in pediatric patients. Weight reduction with a low-carbohydrate diet may reverse the effects of obesity on RV diastolic function.