ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate chloride channel 1 (CLCN1) gene mutation and clinical features of 2 Chinese patients with myotonia congenita.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of a patient from a family affected with myotonia congenita in addition with a sporadic patient from Fujian province were analyzed. Exons of CLCN1 gene were amplified and sequenced.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The proband from the affected family was found to carry a c.1024G>A heterozygous missense mutation in exon 8, whilst the sporadic patient has carried a c.1292C>T heterozygous missense mutation in exon 11.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Detection of CLCN1 gene mutation is an effective method for the diagnosis of myotonia congenita. Exon 8 of CLCN1 gene may be a mutational hotspot in Chinese patients with myotonia congenita.</p>