Genetics research contributes to the etiology exploration of venous thromboembolism / 中华检验医学杂志

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common multifactorial disease that results from hypercoagulable action of genetic factors and environmental exposures. VTE associated genetic factors include anticoagulant gene loss of function (LOF), procoagulant gene gain of function (GOF), the fibrinolytic system genes dysfunction, variants and epigenetic changes that cause hypercoagulability indirectly. Some VTE follows the pattern of Mendelian inheritance; also, genetic polymorphism is an important aspect of genetic susceptibility to VTE. For patients with suspected VTE associated genetic dysfunctions, polymorphisms test should be performed to those who is supposed to have obvious known polymorphisms genetic susceptibility. In contrast, the individuals who suffer from Mendelian disease or other types of disease with unknown gene variants, NGS test should be a good choice. Further, genetic polygenic risk score (PRS) or epigenetic biomarkers are suitable for VTE recurrence risk assessment.

Heterogeneous phenotypes, genotypes, treatment and prevention of 1 003 patients with methylmalonic acidemia in the mainland of China / 中华儿科杂志

Objective@#To analyz the current situation of the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of methylmalonic acidemia, the phenotypes, biochemical features and genotypes of the patients in the mainland of China, were investigated.@*Methods@#Tottally 1 003 patients of methylmalonic acidemia from 26 provinces and municipalities of the mainland of China were enrolled. The clinical data, biochemical features and gene mutations were studied. Blood aminoacids and acylcarnitines, urine organic acids, and plasma total homocysteine were determined for the biochemical diagnosis. Gene analyses were performed for the genetic study of 661 patients. The patients were treated with individual intervention and long-term follow up. Prenatal diagnoses were carried out for 165 fetuses of the families.@*Results@#Among 1 003 patients (580 boys and 423 girls), 296 cases (29.5%) had isolated methylmalonic acidemia; 707 cases (70.5%) had combined homocysteinemia; 59 patients (5.9%) were detected by newborn screening; 944 patients (94.1%) had the onset at the ages from several minutes after birth to 25 years and diagnosed at 3 days to 25 years of age. The main clinical presentations were psychomotor retardation and metabolic crisis. Multi-organ damage, including hematological abnormalities, pulmonary hypertension, kidney damage, were found. MMACHC, MUT, MMAA, MMAB, HCFC1, SUCLG1, SUCLA2 mutations were found in 631 patients (96.6%) out of 661 patients who accepted gene analysis. MMACHC mutations were detected in 460 patients (94.7%) out of 486 cases of methylmalonic acidemia combined with homocysteinemia. MUT mutations were found in 158 (90.3%) out of 169 cases of isolated methylmalonic acidemia. The development of 59 patients detected by newborn screening were normal; 918 cases (97.2%) were diagnosed after onset accepted the treatment. Forty-five of them completely recovered with normal development. Twenty-six patients (2.7%) died; 873 (92.5%) patients had mild to severe psychomotor retardation. Methylmalonic acidemia were found in 35 out of 165 fetuses by metabolites assay of amniotic fluid and amniocytes gene analysis.@*Conclusion@#Combined methylmalonic acidemia and homocysteinemia is the common type of methylmalonic acidemia in the mainland of China. CblC defect due to MMACHC mutations is the most common type of methylmalonic acidemia combined with homocysteinemia. MUT gene mutations are frequent in the patients with isolated methylmalonic acidemia. Newborn screening is key for the early diagnosis and the better outcome. Combined diagnosis of biochemical assays and gene analysis are reliable for the prenatal diagnosis of methylmalonic acidemia.

Hypermethioninemia caused by deficient activity of methionine adenosyltransferase / 临床儿科杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical and molecular genetic characteristics of hypermethioninemia caused by methionine adenosyltransferase deficiency. Methods The clinical data and related gene analysis of hypermethioninemia caused by methionine adenosyltransferase deficiency in 3 children were retrospectively analyzed. The core pedigree analysis was carried out. Results Three children (2 boys and 1 girl) aged from 5 months to 3 years, were from 3 unrelated families. All of them had no family history. One case was found in neonatal screening. One case was onset with pathological jaundice at 1 month old. Another case was found due to tremor and growth retardation at 2 years old. Blood amino acid ester acyl carnitine spectrum analysis showed that all of them had significantly elevated levels of methionine at 134.50-790.67 μmol/L. All children had MAT1A mutation in methionine adenosyltransferase gene. One case was heterozygous mutations with third exon c.274T>C and seventh exon c.895C>T mutation; one case had sixth exon c.757G>A homozygous mutation; and another case had seventh exon c.791G>A homozygous mutation. The core pedigree analysis showed that the mutations were from theirs parents respectively. Conclusions For children with neurologic impairment, methionine metabolic disorders should be considered. Blood amino acids and gene analysis are important methods for confirmation of the diagnosis. Neonatal screening is an effective way to detect this disease.

Analysis of the risk factors on survival rate in 185 patients who received cardiopulmonary resuscitation with return of spontaneous circulation after discharge / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the survival rate and status of cerebral performance category in patients who received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) (abbreviated by ROSC-CPR) after discharge,and to analyze the risk factors which influencing the prognosis of these patients.Methods A retrospective analysis of the clinic data coming from the patients who received cardiopulmonary resuscitation with return of spontaneous circulation and admitted to the Department of Intensive Care Unit from January 2009 to December 2016 was carried out to find corresponding risk factors influencing the prognosis.Results A total of 185 patients who received ROSC-CPR with 59.5％ male,the average age of (67.15 ± 17.64) years old and the average Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score (28.80 ± 7.16) were divided into two groups,the survival group (n =56) and the death group (n =129).The total survival rate was 56/185 (30.3％).Compared to the death group,the usage rate of ventilation,blood purification and target temperature management in survival group was no significant (P ＞ 0.05).The most common aetiology of the survival patients was cardiogenic disease,but the number of those patients with the good cerebral performance category (CPC 1/2) discharged from hospital were 16 cases (8.6％).According to logistic analysis,high value of APACHE Ⅱ score,the duration from CPR to ROSC over 10 minutes,admission took place out-of-hospital were unfavorable predictors for the prognosis (P ＜ 0.05),while admission took place in the second four years and cases with cardiogenic aetiology were favorable predictors for the prognosis of these patients who suffered from ROSC-CPR.Conclusions The survival rate of the patients who received CPR with ROSC after discharge was still low,especially the rate of good status of CPC was very low.To shorten the duration from CPR to ROSC as possible as we can,and to strengthen target temperature management would improve the prognosis of the patients who received CPR with ROSC in our hospital in future days.

The clinical and genetic findings of childhood cystinuria / 临床儿科杂志

Objective To explore the clinical features and genetic etiology of children with cystinuria with onset of kidney stone. Methods The clinical data of 3 children with cystinuria with onset of kidney stone and the gene analysis results of SLC3A1 and SLC7A9 by PCR sequencing were retrospectively analyzed.Results Three male children were from three unrelated families, kidney stone were presented in 2 cases at 1 year old and 1 case at 14 years old. The blood amino acid spectrum was normal in all 3 cases, while the free carnitine were decreased. The urinary amino acid spectrum indicated that cystine, ornithine, arginine,and threonine increased.Gene analysis confirmed that 1 case had homozygous mutations of SLC7A9 gene c.325G>A, and his parents were carriers of c.325G>A heterozygous mutation;other 2 cases had heterozygous mutations of SLC3A1 gene, c.1365delG and c.1113C>A heterozygous mutation in one case, and c.1897_1898insTA and c.1093C>T heterozygous mutation in one case, and their parents were heterozygous mutation carriers. After treatment with potassium citrate and L-carnitine, the conditions were improved in all cases. Conclusions Inherited metabolic disease should be considered for children with kidney stone. Urine amino acid analysis and gene detection are important methods for the diagnosis of cystinuria.

Methylmalonic aciduria combined with congenital adrenal hyperplasia:a case report / 临床儿科杂志

Objective To explore the diagnosis and treatment of a rare case of methylmalonic aciduria combined with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Methods The clinical and laboratory data of the first case of methylmalonyl CoA mutase deifcient methylmalonic aciduria combined with 21-hydroxylase deifciency in China were analyzed. Results The male patient with age of onset at 3 months presented with feeding dififculty, diarrhea, metabolic acidosis, and psychomotor retardation after polio vaccination or high protein diet. At one year and 8 months of age, methylmalonic aciduria was diagnosed, and the patient was clinically improved after treatment. At 5 years of age, precocious puberty was noticed, and virilizing form of 21-Hydroxylase deifciency was diagnosed. Genetic testing conifrmed 2 known mutations in MUT gene (c.866G?>?C, c.2179C?>?T) and 2 known mutations in CYP21A2 gene (c.188A?>?T, c.518T?>?A). Conclusions The clinical manifestations of inherited metabolic disorders and endocrine diseases are complex and it is rare that multiple disorders occurred simultaneously in one patient. This male patient has two rare diseases, methylmalonic aciduria and 21-hydroxylase deifciency.

A pedigree of a rare Cb1X type X-linked methylmalonic acidemia due to transcriptional co-regulator HCFC1 ;mutation / 临床儿科杂志

Objective To explore the clinical and genetic features in the pedigree of Cb1X type X-linked methylmalonic aciduria. Methods Clinical data of one child with X-linked methylmalonic aciduria diagnosed by blood and urine analysis were analyzed retrospectively. Targeted next-generation sequencing has been performed to detect the mutation of methylmalonic aciduria-related genes. Results The boy started presenting with seizures and severe mental retardation at 2 months of age. At 5 months of age, he had the manifestations of seizures, severe mental retardation, increased methylmalonic acid in urinary, increased propionylcarnitine in blood and increased plasma homocysteine, and met the requirements for the diagnosis of methylmalonic aciduria complicated with hyperhomocysteinemia. No mutation was detected in his MMA-related autosomal genes. However, a hemizygote mutation c.344C?>?T (p.Ala115Val) was identiifed in exon 3 of HCFC1 in X chromosome, which conifrmed the CblX type methylmalonic aciduria. His parents were healthy. His elder brother also manifested severe psychomotor retardation with intractable epilepsy, and died at 6 months of age with unknown cause. His mother carried the same mutation and had slightly elevated urine methylmalonic acid and plasma total homocysteine. His father did not carry the mutation. Conclusion A pedigree of a rare Cb1X type X-linked methylmalonic acidemia is ifrstly diagnosed in China by the new generation sequencing technology.

Clinical Manifestations and Pathogenic Characteristics of Different Types of Deep Sternal Wound Infection in after Cardiac Surgery / 中国医科大学学报

Objective To investigate the clinical features and pathogenic characteristics of different types of deep sternal wound infection in dif?ferent types after cardiac surgery. Methods A retrospective study was performed. From January 2012 to December 2014,84 patients with sec?ondary DSWI after cardiac surgery underwent the pectoralis major muscle flap transposition in our department were recruited for the study. Re?sults The average age of 84 patients with DSWI was 54.6 ± 14.8 years old,of which typeⅡDSWI patients were the most common(49/84, 58.3%). Both typeⅠand typeⅡDSWI patients showed typical clinical manifestations and early chest X?ray or Computerized tomography(CT) showed mediastinal widening(P0.05),but the pathogenic results of the 3 types of those DSWI patients showed such a trend:typeⅠDSWI patients with GNB is was more common,and typeⅡDSWI patients was more prone to complicated infection. Conclusion Different types of DSWI may dis?play different features,the prevention and treatment of DSWI should be closely combined with the clinical manifestations and local pathogenic char?acteristics.

CTNS gene mutation leads to cysteine nephropathy combined with corneal crystal in young child / 临床儿科杂志

Objective To explore the diagnosis of cystinosis.Methods The clinical and biochemical information, and gene detection results in a child with cystinosis was retrospective analyzed.Results Four-year-old female presented with photophobia and corneal crystal was found by ophthalmic examination at 2 years old, bilateral kidney stone was found, accompanied by development delay and rickets at 3 years old. Gas chromatography analysis in urine showed that a variety of amino acids were increased, and urine sugar and urinary micro-protein were also increased, which were in accordance with fanconi syndrome. The blood free carnitine was decreased, ester acyl carnitine spectrum was normal, and multi-amino acids such as lysine, valine and arginine were decreased. Gene analysis showed a homozygous mutation of c.696C>G (p.323 N>K) inCTNS gene, which was a known mutation. Both her parents were carrier of heterozygous mutation of c.696C>G inCTNS gene.Conclusion Child with kidney stone, renal damage, combined by multi-system damage such as eyes, bone, and thyroid should be paid attention to identify the cystinosis.

Phenotypes and genotypes of 126 patients with isolated methylmalonic aciduria / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical,biochemical and genetic findings in patients with isolated methylmalonic aciduria. Methods From January 2001 to December 2014,a total of 126 patients with isolated methyl-malonic aciduria from Peking University First Hospital were enrolled in this study. In 60 patients,gene analysis was per-formed. The clinical characteristics,laboratory findings,treatment and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results Among the 126 patients,only 3 cases(2. 4% )were detected through newborn screening and treated with dietary in-tervention,cobalamin and L - camitine. The age at onset of 123 cases(97. 6% )varied from a few hours after birth to 7 years and 11 months old. The common presentations were recurrent vomiting,mental retardation,poor feeding,lethargy, respiratory distress,coma,seizures,cutaneous lesion and jaundice with 11 patients(8. 73% )dead. Abnormal family his-tory was found in 27(21. 4% )patients. Metabolic acidosis and anemia were frequent laboratory findings. Basal ganglia damage and white matter changes were observed in most patients. Sixty patients got genetic analysis,and 58 cases of them had MUT gene mutations. One case had MMAA defect. One case had MMAB defect. In MUT gene,12 novel muta-tions were identified. After treatment,mild to severe psychomotor retardation was observed in 112 patients with isolated methylmalonic aciduria. Conclusions The clinical manifestation of patients with isolated methylmalonic aciduria is complex,and prone to appear metabolic crisis. MUT defect is the main cause. Early metabolic investigation is very im-portant to reach diagnosis. Newborn screening,early diagnosis and adequate therapy are key points to reduce the morta-lity and handicap.

Acute encephalopathy induced by vaccination in an infant with methylmalonic aciduria cblA / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>We report the first case of acute encephalopathy induced by vaccination in an infant with methylmalonic aciduria cblA in China.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The clinical presentation, blood acylcarnitines analysis, urine organic acids analysis and gene studies of the patient were summarized.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The proband, a boy, was admitted at the age of 15 months because of recurrent vomiting, acidosis and development delay for 8 months. The previously healthy boy presented vomiting and coma just one hour after hepatitis B vaccination at the age of seven months. Moderate dehydration, electrolyte disturbance and metabolic acidosis had been found. Although his acute metabolic crisis had been corrected soon after intravenous transfusion, psychomotor retardation and recurrent vomiting had been observed. When he was 15 months old, vomiting and lethargy occurred again 3 hours after DTaP vaccination. He was weakened as the illness became worse and got coma with dyspnea 7 days later. He was hospitalized with the suspected diagnosis of viral encephalitis. Blood acylcarnitines analysis, urine organic acids analysis and gene study had been performed for the etiologic investigation.His blood propionylcarnitine (16.3 µmol/L vs. normal range 1.0-5.0 µmol/L) and propionylcarnitine/free carnitine ratio (0.27 vs. normal range 0.03 to 0.25) increased. Markedly elevated urinary methylmalonic acid (388.21 mmol/mol creatinine vs. normal range 0.2 to 3.6 mmol/mol creatinine) and normal plasma total homocysteine supported the diagnosis of isolated methylmalonic aciduria. Two mutations, c.650 T>A (p.L217X) and c.742 C>T (p.Q248X), were identified in his MMAA gene, confirmed the diagnosis of cblA. Each parent carried one of the two mutations. Progressive clinical and biochemical improvement has been observed after hydroxylcobalamin injection, protein-restricted diet with the supplements of special formula and L-carnitine. He is currently 2 years and 7 months old with normal development and general condition.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A boy with cblA was firstly detected after the acute encephalopathy induced by vaccination in China. It is important to pay more attention to the patients with metabolic crisis or organ damage after vaccination. Metabolic studies are keys to the diagnosis of potential diseases and improve the outcome.</p>

Analysis of surgical treatment with pectoralis major muscle flap for deep sternal infection after cardiac surgery: a case series of 189 patients / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze and summarize the clinical features and experience in surgical treatment of deep sternal infection (DSWI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This was a retrospective study. From January 2008 to December 2013, 189 patients with secondary DSWI after cardiac surgery underwent the pectoralis major muscle flap transposition in our department. There were 116 male and 73 female patients. The mean age was (54 ± 21) years, the body mass index was (26. 1 ± 1. 3) kg/m2. The incidence of postoperation DSWI were after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 93 patients, after other heart surgery plus CABG in 13 patients, after valve surgery in 47 patients, after thoracic aortic surgery in 16 patients, after congenital heart disease in 18 patients, and after cardiac injury in 2 patients. Clean patients' wound and extract secretions, clear the infection thoroughly by surgery and select antibiotics based on susceptibility results, and then repair the wound with appropriate muscle flap, place drain tube with negative pressure. Of all the 189 patients, 184 used isolate pectoralis, 1 used isolate rectus, and 4 used pectoralis plus rectus.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The operative wounds of 179 patients were primary healing (94. 7%). Hospital discharge was postponed by 1 week for 7 patients, due to subcutaneous wound infection. Subcutaneous wound infection occurred again in 8 patients 1 week after hospital discharge, and their wounds healed after wound dressing. Nine patients (4. 7%) did not recover, due to residue of the sequestrum and costal chondritis, whom were later cured by undergoing a second treatment of debridement and pectoralis major muscle flap transposition. Eight patients died, in which 2 died of respiratory failure, 2 died of bacterial endocarditis with septicemia, 2 died of renal failure, 1 died of intraoperative bleeding leading to brain death and the 1 died of heart failure. The mortality rate was 4. 2% . The average length of postoperative hospital stay was (14 ± 5) days. The longest postoperative follow-up period was 40 months, the median time was 26 months, the follow-up rate was 83. 9% . Totally 179 patients were no-reinfected, 2 patients were reinfected because of artificial vascular rejection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>To perform surgical debridement and then reconstruct the sternal defect with pectoralis major muscle flap actively for the patient is an effective measure to improve patient's survival rate.</p>

Seven patients of argininemia with spastic tetraplegia as the first and major symptom and prenatal diagnosis of two fetuses with high risk / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Argininemia is a rare disorder of urea cycle defect. The clinical manifestations of this disorder are similar to those of cerebral palsy so that the diagnosis is usually much delayed. This study aimed to investigate the phenotypes and genotypes of seven Chinese patients suffering from argininemia.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Three boys and four girls with spastic tetraplegia were diagnosed as argininemia by blood aminoacids analysis and ARG1 gene study. Patients were given a protein-restricted diet, citrulline, sodium benzoate, and other treatment intervention. The mother of Patient 5 and 6 accepted genetic counseling and underwent prenatal diagnosis by amniocentesis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Seven patients presented with progressive spastic tetraplegia and poor physical growth from the age of 1 month to 4 years. Argininemia was found at the age of 1 year and 10 months to 12 years. Five patients had mental retardations. Three had seizures. Their blood arginine elevated (86.66 to 349.83 µmol/L, normal controls 5 to 25 µmol/L). Liver dysfunction was found in six patients. Five patients had elevated blood ammonia levels. In four patients, cerebral atrophy was observed by cranial magnetic resonance imaging. Nine mutations in the ARG1 gene were identified from 7 patients. Only two mutations, c.703G > A in exon 7 and c.32T > C in exon 1 had been reported. c.34G > T, c.53G > A, c.67delG, c.232dupG, c.374C > T, c.539G > C and c.646-649delCTCA, were novel mutations of ARG1. A homozygous mutation c.703G > A was found in the amniocytes of Patient 5's mother, indicating that the fetus was affected by argininemia. Induced abortion was performed. c.53G > A from Patient 6 was not found in the amniocytes of her mother, indicating that the fetus was not affected by hepatocyte arginase deficiency. The result was confirmed by postnatal mutation analysis of cord blood and the normal blood arginine of the newborn.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Argininemia is one of the few treatable causes of pediatric spastic paralysis. In this study, seven Chinese patients with spastic tetraplegia were detected by blood aminoacids analysis and confirmed by molecular analysis. Seven novel mutations on ARG1 gene were identified. Prenatal diagnosis of the fetus of a family was performed by amniocytes ARG1 gene analysis.</p>

Clinical and laboratory studies on 28 patients with glutaric aciduria type 1 / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical, biochemical and genetic profiles of 28 Chinese patients with glutaric aciduria type 1.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Twenty-eight patients with glutaric aciduria type 1 seen in the Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital from July 2003 to October 2013 were studied. The data of clinical course, laboratory examinations, cranial MRI and GCDH gene mutations of the patients were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>(1) Three cases were detected by newborn screening, and the other patients were diagnosed at the age of 2 months to 17 years. (2) 22 patients (79%) were infant onset cases with psychomotor retardation, dystonia, seizures, athetosis, recurrent vomiting, drowsiness or feeding difficulty. Only two of the 22 patients with infant onset got normal intelligence and movement after treatment. Twenty of them were improved slowly with delayed development, dystonia and other neurological problems. Three patients (11%) had late onset. They had motor regression, headache and seizure at the age of 8, 9 and 17 years, respectively. Rapid improvement was observed after treatment. (3) Cranial MRI has been checked in 23 patients; 22 of them showed characteristic widening of the Sylvian fissure, abnormalities of the basal ganglia, leukoencephalopathy and brain atrophy. Thirty-five mutations in GCDH gene of the patients were identified; c.148T>C (p.W50R) was the most common mutation with the frequency of 7.7%; 6 mutations (c.628A>G, c.700C>T, c.731G>T, c.963G>C, c.1031C>T and c.1109T>C) were novel.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Glutaric aciduria type 1 usually induced neurological deterioration resulting in severe psychomotor retardation and dystonia. Most of our patients were clinically diagnosed. Patients with early onset usually remained having neurological damage. Phenotype and genotype correlation has not been found in the patients. Neonatal screening for organic acidurias should be expanded in China.</p>

The clinical and genetic features of early-onset globoid cell leukodystrophy in one boy / 临床儿科杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical, biochemical and genetic features of a Chinese boy with early-onset glo-boid cell leukodystrophy (GLD). Methods The clinical and genetic data of a rare case of early-onset GLD were retrospectively analysed. Results At 2 months after birth, the boy showed progressive psychomotor regression. At 4 months of age when the boy was taken to a doctor, the pyramidal sign was positive. The cranial MRI showed that the body of the lateral cerebral ventri-cles was slightly enlarged and the brain ditch crack of frontal-temporal-parietal lobe was widened and deepened. On his brain CT scan, high signals in bilateral basal ganglia, thalami, cerebellar hemisphere were observed.β-galactosylceramidase (GALC) ac-tivity in the peripheral leucocytes was signiifcantly decreased (3.9 nmol/g protein.h). On his GALC gene, one homozygous novel mutation c.868C>T on exon 8 was found, which resulted in the amino acid change on p.R290C proteins. Conclutions Early-on-set GLD is a rare autosomal-recessive hereditary lysosomal storage disease with a terrible prognosis, in which beta-galactose glu-coside enzyme deifciency is induced by GALC gene mutation. The diagnosis of early-onset GLD is dififcult and should depend on enzyme assay and gene testing.

A Chinese girl with ethylmalonic encephalopathy and a novel mutation on ETHE1 gene / 临床儿科杂志

Objective To introduce a case of ethylmalonic encephalopathy which is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by mutations in the ETHE1 gene. Methods The clinical course and gene mutation in a case of ethylmalonic encephalopathy was retrospectively analysed. Results A previously healthy girl presented with intractable diarrhea from the age of 7 months. Since then, progressive psychomotor regression has been observed. When she was 23 months, her blood butyr-ylcarnitine was signiifcantly increased (4.48μmol/L vs. normal range 0.0~1.0μmol/L), and isovalerylcarnitine (0.70μmol/L vs. normal range 0.0~0.65μmol/L) was also elevated. Her urine levels of ethylmalonic acid and methylsuccinate acid were markedly increased. Cranial MRI revealed bilateral basal ganglia lesions supporting the diagnosis of ethylmalonic encephalopathy. On her ETHE1 gene, a reported mutation (c.488G>A, p.R163Q) and a novel mutation (c.203T>C, p.L68P) were identiifed. After lactose-free dietary treatment and the supplements of L-carnitine, coenzyme Q10, vitamins B1, B2 and C, gradual improvement in general condition, intelligence and motor development has been observed. Conclusions Ethylmalonic aciduria is common in the patients with inborn errors of mitochondrial fatty acid beta-oxidation. In ethylmalonic encephalopathy, elevated blood levels of butyrylcarnitine and isovalerylcarnitine are common and ETHE1 sequencing is helpful in its diagnosis.

A case of neonatal death due to argininosuccinic aciduria / 临床儿科杂志

Objectives To report the ifrst Chinese case of early onset argininosuccinic aciduria. Methods A girl aged three days was admitted because of vomiting and lethargy from the second day of life. General laboratory examination, blood amino acids analysis, urine organic acids tests and gene studies were performed for the diagnosis. Results Severe hyperam-monemia, liver dysfunction, metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia and hypocalcemia were found. Bood citrulline was extremely elevated (1098.12μmol/L vs normal range 5 to 25μmol/L), while blood arginine was decreased. Urine orotic acid, uracil and argininosuccinic acid were signiifcantly elevated. Two known heterozygosis mutations on ASL gene, c.544C>T (p.R182X) and c.706C>T (p.R236W), conifrmed the diagnosis of argininosuccinic aciduria. Unfortunately, protein-restricted diet with L-arginine supplement showed no effect. The patient died at the 23th day of life. Conclusions Argininosuccinic aciduria is a severe inherit-ed metabolic disorder. Clinical diagnosis is dififcult. It is characterized biochemically by severe citrullinemia. Urine organic acids analysis and ASL gene analysis are important for the differential diagnosis. In this study, a case of neonate death due to early-on-set argininosuccinic aciduria was diagnosed by post-mortem investigation. ASL gene study is helpful for the genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis of the disease.

Clinical and genetic features of three patients with non-classical isovaleric aciduria / 临床儿科杂志

Objective To explore the clinical, therapeutic and genetic features of IVD gene in late-onset non-classical isovaleric aciduria. Methods One boy and two girls presented with intractable vomiting were admitted. Urine organic acids and blood acylcarnitines proifles were analyzed. Isovaleric aciduria was diagnosed and conifrmed by IVD gene analysis. The patients were treated with leucine-restricted diet and the supplements of L-carnitine and glycine. Results Three patients had recurrent vomiting, drowsiness, odor of sweaty feet and metabolic acidosis from the age of 1 to 2 years. All of them had normal intelligence and leukopenia. One had oligocythemia. The blood isovalerylcarnitines (4.6 to 8.2μmol/L) and urine isovalerylglycines (36.1 to 1783.56 mmol/mmol creatinine) were elevated. Six mutations were found in their IVD gene. Four mutations (c.157C>T, c.214G>A, c.1183C>G and c.1208A>G) were reported. Two (c.1039G>A and c.1076A>G) were novel. The patients completely recovered after treatment with protein-restricted diet and the supplements of L-carnitine and glycine. Currently, they were aged 19 months to 14 years with normal physical and psychomotor development. Conclusions The clinical features of late-onset non-classical isovaleric aciduria are complex. It is onset in infants and young children and characteristic of recurrent vomiting and metabolic acidosis, which can be diagnosed by the blood acylcarnitine spectrum, urine organic acid analysis, and conifrmed by genetic analysis. L-carnitine supplement and diet intervention has signiifcant effects.

HEXB gene study and prenatal diagnosis for a family affected by infantile Sandhoff disease / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the phenotype and genotype of a Chinese boy and his family affected by infantile Sandhoff disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The proband, a boy, was the first child born to a non-consanguineous couple. He showed startle reaction after birth and progressive psychomotor regression from the age of 8 months. From the age of 16 months, he presented seizures. When he was admitted at 17 months old, severe mental retardation and weakness were observed. Fundus examination revealed bilateral cherry-red spots in the macula and optic atrophy. Cranial MRI revealed abnormal signals in the thalamus, basal ganglia and white matter. Enzymatic assay and genetic testing were performed for the diagnosis. His mother visited us at 18 weeks of pregnancy seeking for prenatal diagnosis. HEXB gene diagnosis to the fetus was performed by direct sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Significant deficient total β-hexosaminidase (A and B) activity in peripheral leucocytes of the patient (0.0 nmol/h/mg compared with normal control, 41.9 to 135.1 nmol/h/mg) supported the diagnosis of Sandhoff disease. On his HEXB gene, two mutations were found. c.1645G-A (p.G549R) was novel. c.IVS7-48T was a reported mutation. Now, the patient was 2 years and 3 months old, with progressive general failure, severe epilepsy, blindness and hypermyotonia. Subsequently, the mother visited us at 18 weeks of pregnancy seeking for prenatal diagnosis. HEXB gene analysis of the amniocytes was performed by direct sequencing. Both of the two mutations were not detected from cultured amniocytes. The result revealed that the fetus was not affected by Sandhoff disease. A healthy girl, the sibling of the proband, was born in term. Postnatal enzyme analysis and genetic analysis of the cord blood cells confirmed the prenatal diagnosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>One novel mutation on HEXB gene was identified. Prenatal diagnosis to the fetus of this family was performed by amniocytes gene analysis.</p>