Carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase deficiency. Clinical course of three Saudi children with a severe phenotype

Carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase [CACT] deficiency [McKusick 212138] is a rare life threatening disorder characterized by hypoketotic hypoglycemia, hyperammonemia, encephalopathy, cardiomyopathy hepatopathy, and myopathy. Here, we present a detailed clinical course of 3 Saudi siblings with a severe phenotype. The third patient was described in more detail. Early medical intervention in the form of 25% dextrose intravenous infusion and carnitine supplement followed by a gradual introduction of a high carbohydrate low fat special formula resulted in a good clinical and biochemical response to the treatment in our patient. However, early nephrocalcinosis, severe hypotonia, and subsequently intravascular cerebral accident could not be prevented. He died at 18 months of age as a result of metabolic decompensation. This suggests that CACT deficiency is still a lethal disorder even with an early and aggressive medical intervention

Unusual occurrence of cystic fibrosis and alobar holoprosencephaly

Holoprosencephaly [HPE] is a defect of embryonic forebrain resulting from failure of growth and segmentation of the anterior end of the neural tube. It has been classified into 4 types based on the severity of associated brain and facial malformations. The most severe variety called alobar HPE is generally associated with major cranio-facial anomalies such as cyclopia, ethmocephaly, cebocephaly, or cleft-lip/palate. Significant etiological heterogeneity exists in HPE and includes both genetic and environmental causes. Maternal diabetes is a well-established environmental factor with a significant increased risk for HPE. We report on a Saudi Arab girl born to a diabetic mother, with the alobar type of holoprosencephaly, associated with very minimal cranio-facial defects. However, she displayed several other congenital malformations. In addition, she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Simultaneous occurrence of cystic fibrosis and congenital anomalies has been rare