Aplasia medular congénita de serie roja: Anemia de DiamondBlackfan. A propósito de un caso / Marrow aplasia congenital red series: Diamond BlackfanAnemia. About a case

La Aplasia Medular pura de Células Rojas es un trastorno que se caracteriza por anemia con ausencia casi completa de precursores de células rojas en la médula ósea, con contaje de leucocitos y plaquetas normales. La anemia de Diamond-Blackfan es un síndrome de insuficiencia de la médula ósea caracterizada por anemia, reticulocitopenia y disminución de precursores eritroides en la médula ósea. Se presenta el caso de un lactante menor masculino de 2 meses de edad, sin antecedentes familiares ni perinatales de importancia, cuya madre evidencia palidez cutáneo mucosa progresiva asociado a hiporexia; acude a centro de salud donde realizan paraclínicos que reportan hemoglobina en 1,7g/dL. Se realiza frotis de sangre periférica donde se muestra serie eritroide francamente afectada con contaje granulocítico y megacariocítico normales; se realiza biopsia y aspirado de médula ósea concluyéndose aplasia medular de serie roja y en vista de otros hallazgos clínicos, se plantea posible anemia de Diamond-lackfan. Se indica tratamiento con glucocorticoides, sin embargo por respuesta insuficiente, se inicia eritropoyetina aumentando dosis de forma progresiva, a pesar de la administración de la misma, amerita transfusiones sanguíneas de forma regular; se realizan estudios de compatibilidad con familiares de primer grado resultando positivos, actualmente es candidato a trasplante alogénico de médula ósea. Se concluye que a pesar de corresponder a un síndrome poco frecuente, debe sospecharse ante la presencia de anemia severa, sin pérdida sanguínea aguda y descarte previo de otras etiologías, además se plantea que el inicio oportuno del tratamiento es fundamental para la supervivencia de estos pacientes(AU)

Pure red cell aplasia medullary is a disorder characterized by anemia with almost complete absence of red cell precursors in the bone marrow, with leukocyte count and platelets. e Diamond-Blackfan anemia is a failure syndrome characterized by bone marrow anemia, reticulocytopenia and decreased erythroid precursors in the bone marrow. the case of an infant under 2 months of age presented no family or perinatal history major, whose mother progressive skin pallor evidence mucosa associated with hyporexia; go to health center where they perform paraclinical reporting hemoglobin 1.7 g /dL. peripheral blood smear where erythroid frankly affected with normal megakaryocytic granulocytic count shown is made; It biopsied and bone marrow aspirate concluding marrow red cell aplasia; possible anemia Diamond-Blackfan in light of other clinical findings arises. It stays with glucocorticoid treatment, however insufficient response, begins erythropoietin dose progressively increasing, despite it, warrants blood transfusions on a regular basis; compatibility studies performed with firstdegree resulting positive, currently a candidate for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. It is concluded that despite being a rare syndrome should be suspected in severe anemia where there is acute blood loss, ruling out other etiologies; also timely initiation of treatment is critical to the survival of these patients(AU)

Folate levels in children with sickle cell anemia on folic acid supplementation in steady state and crises at a tertiary hospital in Enugu, Nigeria a prospective, comparative study

Folic acid supplementation is an integral aspect of the management of children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) especially in Africa. In spite of this, there have been concerns about lower folate levels, especially during crisis. AimTo determine red cell folate levels of children with sickle cell anaemia in steady state and during crisis and compare with those with haemoglobin AA genotype. Method This study was prospective, hospital based, and comparative. Fifty children with sickle cell anaemia were recruited during crises and followed up until they met the criteria for attaining steady state. The controls were fifty children matched with those with SCA for age and gender and had haemoglobin AA genotype. Red cell folate estimation was done with the Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA) method using the automated Roche Cobas e411 equipment. Results The median (IQR) red cell folate level in children during sickle cell crisis was 265.95 (134.50) ng/ml, which was significantly lower than the median (IQR) of 376.30 (206.85) ng/ml obtained during steady state. Most children with SCA (41 out of 50) had significantly higher folate levels during steady state (T=1081, Z-score= -4.660, p < 0.001). Median level of red cell folate was lower during anaemic crisis compared to vaso-occlusive crisis, though not significantly so (N(50), U = 214.00, Z-score= -1.077, p = 0.305). The median red cell folate level of normal controls was 343.55 (92.90) ng/ml, which was significantly lower than the 376.30 (206.85) ng/ml obtained during steady state (N(50), U= 209.00, Z-score= -7.177, p <0.001). Conclusion Median red cell folate levels of the study participants were within normal limits, though most children with SCA had significantly higher levels during steady state compared to crisis. Normal controls had significantly lower red cell folate levels than the children with SCA during steady state

Síndrome de Pearson en un niño trasplantado debido a anemia de Diamond-Blackfan / Pearson syndrome in a child transplanted for Diamond-Blackfan anemia

El síndrome de Pearson (SP) comparte varias características con la anemia de Diamond-Blackfan (ADB), incluida la anemia grave de inicio temprano, por lo que es importante hacer un diagnóstico diferencial. El diagnóstico diferencial de la ADB y el SP es fundamental, ya que los pacientes con ADB podrían res-ponder al tratamiento con corticoesteroides, presentar remisión o beneficiarse del trasplante de células madre hematopoyéti-cas (TCMH). Sin embargo, los pacientes con SP tienen un pronós-tico diferente, con un riesgo muy elevado de acidosis, problemas metabólicos y disfunción pancreática, y una expectativa de vida menor en comparación con aquellos con ADB. En este artículo, presentamos el caso de un paciente sometido a TCMH para la ADB, pero que luego fue diagnosticado con SP tras desarrollar algunas complicaciones.

Pearson syndrome (PS), shares a number of overlapping features with Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA), including early onset of severe anemia, making differential diagnosis important. Differential diagnosis of DBA and PS is critical, since those with DBA may respond to treatment with steroids, may undergo remission, or may benefit from hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, patients with PS have a different prognosis, with a very high risk of developing acidosis, metabolic problems, and pancreatic dysfunction, and a shorter life expectancy than those with DBA. Here we present a patient who underwent HSCT for DBA but was subsequently diagnosed with PS after developing some complications

Research Progress on Pathogenesis of Congenital Pure Red Cell Aplasia---Review / 中国实验血液学杂志

Congenital pure red cell aplasia, also known as Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA), is a hereditary disease characterized by pure red cell aplasia and congenital malformation. Its main clinical features are anemia, dysplasia, and tumor susceptibility. Ribosomal protein (RP) gene mutation is the main pathogenesis of DBA. The most common type of gene mutation is RPS19 gene mutation. Heterozygous mutations in as many as 19 RP genes and other non-RP genes mutations have been identified in DBA. This review summarized briedfly the latest research advances in the pathogenesis of DBA.

Importancia del manejo interdisciplinario de pacientes con Fisuras Labiopalatinas y Anemia de Blackfan Diamond. Reporte de caso: seguimiento a 2 años / Importância da abordagem interdisciplinar de paciente com Fissura Labiopalatina e Anemia de Blackfan Diamond: acompanhamento de dois anos / Importance interdisciplinary management of Diamond-Blackfan anemia and Cleft lip and palate sequel: Accompaniment of two years

Las fisuras labiopalatinas (FLP) son las malformaciones craneofaciales congénitas más comunes. La anemia de Diamond-Blackfan o anemia aneritroblástica es una hipoplasia congénita selectiva de la serie roja, asociada a alteraciones cardiacas, renales, malformaciones en manos, hipertelorismo y retraso en el crecimiento. La presentación de las FLP y pacientes con Anemia de Diamond-Blackfan es del 10.3%. Objetivo: Presentar un reporte de caso de un paciente de 12 años con anemia de Diamond-Blackfan y secuela de FLP de la Clínica Interdisciplinaria de LPH de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Bogotá-Colombia) donde el abordaje interdisciplinario, el casomanejo del comportamiento y el apoyo psicológico brindado a la familia fueron fundamentales para lograr la adherencia, clarificar el diagnóstico y obtener los resultados terapéuticos esperados. Resultados: se logró la adherencia al tratamiento y el éxito de éste en apoyo con otras especialidades, permitiendo un seguimiento de 2 años. Conclusiones: El manejo multidisciplinario e interdisciplinario con especialidades odontológicas, médicas, y de la salud en general para el manejo de pacientes con FLP y síndromes asociados, resulta importante para el éxito en el tratamiento.

As fissura labiopalatina são as malformações craniofaciais congênitas mais comuns. A anemia do Diamante-Blackfan ou anemia aneritroblástica seletiva é uma hipoplasia congênita da série vermelha, associada com o coração, rim, malformações mãos, hipertelorismo e distúrbios retardo de crescimento. A apresentação de Fissura labiopalatina e pacientes com anemia do Diamante-Blackfan é de 10,3% dos casos. Objetivo: Apresentar um caso clínico de um paciente de 12 anos com anemia do Diamante-Blackfan e Fissura labiopalatina sequela do Interdisciplinar Clinic LPH da Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Bogotá Colômbia), onde a abordagem interdisciplinar, gestão de comportamento e apoio psicológico prestado aos família foram fundamentais para alcançar a adesão a esclarecer o diagnóstico e obter os resultados terapêuticos esperados. Resultado: a adesão ao tratamento e seu sucesso no apoio de outras especialidades de saúde alcançados. Conclusões: O tratamento multidisciplinar e interdisciplinar com especialidades odontológicas, médicas e de saúde em geral para o tratamento de pacientes com FLP e síndromes associadas, é importante para o sucesso do tratamento

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) are the most common congenital craniofacial malformations. The Diamond-Blackfan anemia or congenital erythroblastic anemia is a selective red cell hypoplasia associated with heart, kidney, malformed hands, hypertelorism and stunted alterations. The presentation of Cleft lip and palate in patients with Diamond-Blackfan anemia is 10.3% of cases. Aim: To present a case report of a patient of 12 years with Diamond-Blackfan anemia and Cleft lip and palate sequel from the Interdisciplinary Clinic LPH of the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Bogota Colombia) where the interdisciplinary approach, behavior management and psychological support provided to the family were instrumental in achieving the expected therapeutic results. Results: Adherence to treatment and its success in supporting other health specialties during two years is slown. Conclusions: The multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary management with dental specialties, medical, and health in general for the management of patients with FLP and associated syndromes, it is important for successful treatment

Anemia de Diamond Blackfan: un diagnóstico de exclusión / Anemia of Diamond Blackfan: an exclusión diagnosis

La anemia de Diamond Blackfan es un trastorno genético y clínico raro, caracterizado por aplasia eritrocitaria, que clásicamente se manifiesta durante el primer año de vida, típicamente a los 2-3 meses de edad. El 25% de los afectados presentan anemia severa en la infancia, normo o macrocitosis, reticulocitopenia y disminución selectiva de células precursoras eritroides en medula ósea. Es causada por mutaciones que afectan genes que codifican para proteínas ribosomales, inicialmente fue identificado RPS19, que codifica la proteína S19 y las mutaciones a otros genes que codifican proteínas ribosomales. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de cuatro meses de edad quien debutó con anemia severa, quien no mejoró con la suplencia de hierro, vitamina B12, y ácido fólico y además fueron descartadas sistemáticamente causas frecuentes de anemia. El diagnóstico de anemia de Diamond Blackfan en nuestro medio es un diagnóstico de exclusión, dada la dificultad para acceso a pruebas de confirmación genética. Se establece el diagnóstico y se da manejo con glucocorticoides con buena respuesta clínica y paraclínica

The Diamond Blackfan anemia is a rare genetic and clinical disorder. It is characterized by red cell aplasia, which typically occurs during the first year of life, typically during the second to the third month of age. 25% of the patients had severe anemia during their childhood, normo or macrocytosis, reticulocyte and selective decrease in the number of erythroid precursor cells in bone marrow. It is caused by mutations affect genes encoding ribosomal proteins, RPS19 initially was identified, which encodes S19 protein and mutations in other genes encoding ribosomal proteins. We present a case of a four-month-old who debuted with severe anemia in whom the substitution were iron supplements, vitamin B12 and folic acid, showed no improvement and who also were systematically discarded as common causes of anemia. The diagnosis of Diamond Blackfan anemia in our country is a diagnosis of exclusion, given the difficulty of access to genetic confirmation tests. In this article the diagnosis is established and gives management with glucocorticoid with good clinical and paraclinical response

Clinical features and pathogenic gene detection of Diamond-Blackfan anemia / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical features of Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) and related pathogenic genes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of two children with DBA, and related literature was reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The two children with DBA (2-3 months old) manifested with severe normochromic normocytic anemia, decreased reticulocyte count, and increased serum iron and serum ferritin. Normal white blood cell and platelet counts were noted in the two patients. Bone marrow examination showed a decreased percentage of erythrocytes and rare normoblasts in the two patients. Gene screening showed a reported pathogenic heterozygous mutation in RPS19 gene, c.212G>A (p. Gly71Glu), in one patient, and there were no mutations in his parents. In the other patient, gene screening showed a heterozygous mutation in RPL5 gene, c.740T>C (p. I247L), which had not been reported in literature, and there were no mutations in her parents. A bioinformatic analysis showed that this might be a pathogenic mutation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The onset age of DBA is early infancy in most children, with a manifestation of erythroid deficiency. RPS19 and RPL5 gene mutations are common causes of this disease. Molecular detection helps with the early diagnosis of DBA.</p>

Molecular diagnosis and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in 17 children with inherited bone marrow failure syndrome / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To enrich our national database with data of rare diseases by analyzing molecular diagnosis and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in children with inherited bone marrow failure syndromes (IBMFS).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based genetic diagnosis panel was applied for the clinical diagnosis and management of IBMFS. Retrospective analysis was performed on clinical and genetic data of 17 consecutive children who received HSCT over a long time interval (November. 2005-June 2015).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Three patients were diagnosed only by clinical manifestation before 2012. After that NGS-based genetic diagnosis panel was used to identify IBMFS-related genes in 12/14.IBMFS patients (except two Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) patients). Two Fanconi anemia (FA) patients were confirmed to be new variations through family-genotype-analysis and 3 families accepted prenatal diagnosis to avoid birth of affected fetuses. Seventeen IBMFS patients (10 FA,5 DBA and 2 dyskeratosis congenital (DKC)) were treated with HSCT from matched sibling donors (n=2), matched unrelated donors (n=8) or mismatched unrelated donors (n=7). The source of stem cells for transplantation included peripheral blood (n=12) and cord blood (n=5). With regard to the conditioning regimens, FA and DKC patients received fludarabine-based reduced intensity conditioning, while DBA patients received classical busulfan-based myeloablative conditioning. Median age at the time of HSCT was 36 months (7-156 months). The number of infused mononuclear cells and CD34⁺ cells was (10.6 ± 6.7) × 10⁸ and (5.9 ± 7.0) × 10⁶ per kilogram of recipient body weight, respectively. The median number of days to neutrophil recovery was 13 days after HSCT (range: 10-19 days). Platelet recovery was faster in the PBSCT group than in the CBT group ((16.3 ± 6.0) days vs. (30.0 ± 17.1) days,t=-2.487,P=0.026). During a median follow-up of 17 months (range: 2-114 months), except one FA patient who was transplanted with HLA-matched unrelated cord blood (CB) died from pneumonia and heart failure because of engraftment failure, other 16 children are alive after the successful HSCT. The failure-free survival rate of the patients three years after HSCT was 94%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NGS-based molecular diagnosis technology and effective HSCT have significantly facilitated the treatment of children with IBMFS in our country, and our national database about this rare disease is to be further exploited.</p>

Ribosomal protein mutations in Korean patients with Diamond-Blackfan anemia

Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a congenital bone marrow failure syndrome characterized by hypoproliferative anemia, associated physical malformations and a predisposition to cancer. DBA has been associated with mutations and deletions in the large and small ribosomal protein genes, and genetic aberrations have been detected in approximately50-60% of patients. In this study, nine Korean DBA patients were screened for mutations in eight known DBA genes (RPS19, RPS24, RPS17, RPS10, RPS26, RPL35A, RPL5 and RPL11) using the direct sequencing method. Mutations in RPS19, RPS26 and RPS17 were detected in four, two and one patient, respectively. Among the mutations detected in RPS19, two mutations were novel (c.26T>A, c.357-2A>G). For the mutation-negative cases, array-CGH analysis was performed to identify copy-number variations, and no deletions involving the known DBA gene regions were identified. The relative mRNA expression of RPS19 estimated using real-time quantitative PCR analysis revealed two- to fourfold reductions in RPS19 mRNA expression in three patients with RPS19 mutations, and p53 protein expression analysis by immunohistochemistry showed variable but significant nuclear staining in the DBA patients. In conclusion, heterozygous mutations in the known DBA genes RPS19, RPS26 and RPS17 were detected in seven out of nine Korean DBA patients. Among these patients, RPS19 was the most frequently mutated gene. In addition, decreased RPS19 mRNA expression and p53 overexpression were observed in the Korean DBA patients, which supports the hypothesis that haploinsufficiency and p53 hyperactivation represent a central pathway underlying the pathogenesis of DBA.

Current insights into inherited bone marrow failure syndromes / 소아과

Inherited bone marrow failure syndrome (IBMFS) encompasses a heterogeneous and complex group of genetic disorders characterized by physical malformations, insufficient blood cell production, and increased risk of malignancies. They often have substantial phenotype overlap, and therefore, genotyping is often a critical means of establishing a diagnosis. Current advances in the field of IBMFSs have identified multiple genes associated with IBMFSs and their pathways: genes involved in ribosome biogenesis, such as those associated with Diamond-Blackfan anemia and Shwachman-Diamond syndrome; genes involved in telomere maintenance, such as dyskeratosis congenita genes; genes encoding neutrophil elastase or neutrophil adhesion and mobility associated with severe congenital neutropenia; and genes involved in DNA recombination repair, such as those associated with Fanconi anemia. Early and adequate genetic diagnosis is required for proper management and follow-up in clinical practice. Recent advances using new molecular technologies, including next generation sequencing (NGS), have helped identify new candidate genes associated with the development of bone marrow failure. Targeted NGS using panels of large numbers of genes is rapidly gaining potential for use as a cost-effective diagnostic tool for the identification of mutations in newly diagnosed patients. In this review, we have described recent insights into IBMFS and how they are advancing our understanding of the disease's pathophysiology; we have also discussed the possible implications they will have in clinical practice for Korean patients.

Diamond Blackfan Anaemia with Hypothyroidism and CNS Malformations.

Diamond Black fan Anemia (DBA) is a congenital erythroid aplasia that usually presents in infancy. The DBA patients have low red blood cell count (Anaemia). The rest of their blood cells (Platelets & WBCs) are normal. We present a 14 month old male child who presented with severe anaemia. The patient was transfusion dependent since 4 months of age. Clinical examination revealed delayed mile stones and a couple of congenital deformities. Haematological parameters showed elevated foetal haemoglobin level (Hb F – 11.8% ) and elevated serum TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) level. Peripheral blood picture showed gross microcytic hypochromic red blood cells and absence of reticulocytes with normal levels of leucocytes and platelets. A bone marrow showed gross suppression of Erythroid series with M:E ratio of 30:1. Some large pronormoblasts were found. Family history was not significant. Compiling the clinical features, haematological parameters, PS and bone marrow findings, a diagnosis of DBA was given.

Trasplante alogénico de precursores hematopoyéticos de sangre de cordón umbilical de donante no emparentado: primera experiencia, en tres casos, con donantes del banco público chileno de células de cordón / Allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with unrelated cord blood: Report of three cases from the Chilean cord blood bank

Public cord blood banks are a source of hematopoietic stem cells for patients with hematological diseases who lack a family donor and need allogeneic transplantation. In June 2007 we started a cord blood bank with units donated in three maternity wards in Santiago, Chile. We report the first three transplants done with cord blood units form this bank. Cord blood units were obtained by intrauterine collection at delivery. They were depleted of plasma and red cells and frozen in liquid nitrogen. Tests for total nucleated cells, CD34 cell content, viral serology, bacterial cultures and HLA A, B and DRB1 were done. Six hundred cord blood units were stored by March 2012. Three patients received allogeneic transplant with cord blood from our bank, two with high risk lymphoblastic leukemia and one with severe congenital anemia. They received conditioning regimens according to their disease and usual supportive care for unrelated donor transplantation until full hematopoietic and immune reconstitution was achieved. The three patients had early engraftment of neutrophils and platelets. The child corrected his anemia and the leukemia patients remain in complete remission. The post-transplant course was complicated with Epstein Barr virus, cytomegalovirus and BK virus infection. Two patients are fully functional 24 and 33 months after transplant, the third is still receiving immunosuppression.

Clinical and hematologic manifestations in patients with Diamond Blackfan anemia in Korea / 대한혈액학회지

BACKGROUND: Diamond Blackfan anemia (DBA), characterized by impaired red cell production, is a rare condition that is usually symptomatic in early infancy. The purpose of this study was to assess nationwide experiences of DBA encountered over a period of 20 years. METHODS: The medical records of 56 patients diagnosed with DBA were retrospectively reviewed from November 1984 to July 2010. Fifteen institutions, including 13 university hospitals, participated in this study. RESULTS: The male-to-female ratio of patients with DBA was 1.67:1. The median age of diagnosis was 4 months, and 74.1% were diagnosed before 1 year of age. From 2000 to 2009, annual incidence was 6.6 cases per million. Excluding growth retardation, 38.2% showed congenital defects: thumb deformities, ptosis, coarctation of aorta, ventricular septal defect, strabismus, etc. The mean hemoglobin concentration was 5.1+/-1.9 g/dL, mean corpuscular volume was 93.4+/-11.6 fL, and mean number of reticulocytes was 19,700/mm3. The mean cellularity of bone marrow was 75%, with myeloid:erythroid ratio of 20.4:1. After remission, 48.9% of patients did not need further steroids. Five patients with DBA who received hematopoietic transplantation have survived. Cancer developed in 2 cases (3.6%). CONCLUSION: The incidence of DBA is similar to data already published, but our study had a male predilection. Although all patients responded to initial treatment with steroids, about half needed further steroids after remission. It is necessary to collect further data, including information regarding management pathways, from nationwide DBA registries, along with data on molecular analyses.

Transfusion-dependent anaemia of undetermined origin: a distinctive syndrome in paediatric medical tourism

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>The underlying diagnosis of severe anaemic illnesses in children may not be easy to identify at times, especially when regular blood transfusion has been started.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>International children patients attending a haematology clinic for diagnostic evaluation were identified retrospectively if they had to receive repeated blood transfusions with an undiagnosed illness or an incorrect diagnosis. Their demographic data, presenting features, and eventual diagnosis were described.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twelve children including 7 boys were enrolled from March 2007 to August 2011. Five came from Vietnam; 2 each came from Bangladesh and Indonesia; and 1 each from Hong Kong, Myanmar, and Ukraine. Their illnesses started at a mean age of 1.5 years (0.1 to 6.6) and they had been receiving blood transfusion for a mean duration of 2.5 years (0.1 to 9.9) years prior to the evaluation. Thalassemia major was the fi rst diagnosis in 5 cases; one had been treated for autoimmune haemolytic anaemia while the rest had not been given a diagnosis. After the evaluation, 4 children were diagnosed with Diamond Blackfan anaemia, 3 were diagnosed with hereditary spherocytosis, and one each with hereditary pyropoikilocytosis, congenital sideroblastic anaemia, congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, transient erythroblastopenia of childhood, and autoimmune myelofibrosis associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A definitive diagnosis can be identified in this cohort of children on medical tourism with severe anaemic illnesses requiring repeated transfusions with diagnostic approaches that circumvent the interference of transfused cells.</p>

Analysis of mutations of ribosomal protein genes in 21 cases of Diamond-Blackfan anemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to explore the mutations of ribosomal protein (RP) genes in patients with Diamond Blackfan anemia (DBA). Twenty-one cases of DBA admitted in our hospital from Dec 2008 to Aug 2012 were screened by PCR for mutations in the nine known genes associated with DBA: RPS19, RPS24, RPS17, RPL5, RPL11, RPS7, RPL35a, RPS10 and RPS26. The results found that 8 patients (38.1%) with DBA had mutations in the genes coding for ribosomal protein, in which RPS19 mutation was identified in 3 patients, RPS24, RPS7, RPL5, RPL11 and RPL35A mutations were identified respectively in 1 of the patient. No mutations were detected in RPS17, RPS10 or RPS26 genes. Thumb anomalies were found in 2 patients with RPL11 or RPL5 mutation, and hypospadias was found in 1 patient with RPS19 mutation. It is concluded that the mutation frequency of the genes coding for ribosomal protein in the patients with DBA here is lower than that in western countries. The hypospadias can be observed in some patients with RPS19 mutation and some dactyl anomalies are associated with RPL11 and RPL5 mutations.

Analysis of clinical characteristics in 45 cases of Diamond-Blackfan anemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

In order to explore the diagnosis and therapy of Diamond Blackfan anemia (DBA), the clinical data of 45 cases of DBA admitted in our hospital from February 1994 to July 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical characteristics, results of laboratory examination, treatment reaction and outcome of disease were investigated. The results indicated that out of 45 children diagnosed as DBA, 14 cases (31.1%) had short stature and physical malformation. All patients had anemia with reticulocytopenia. Thirty-four patients (75.6%) had mean corpuscular volume. Eleven patients (24.4%) had macrocytic anemia. Bone marrow examination showed a marked erythroid hypoplasia in all patients. Out of 29 cases tested for fetal hemoglobin (HbF), 13 cases (44.8%) had high level of HbF. Erythroid colony-forming unit of bone marrow was tested in 25 patients, among them 12 patients (48%) showed normal plasia, 13 (52%) showed hypoplasia. The erythropoietin (EPO) levels of 17 patients were elevated. Karyotypes were examined in 28 patients, and showed all normal. The treatment was based on corticosteroids and Cyclosporine A. Thirty patients had good response to corticosteroid therapy, and 10 of them obtained a sustained corticosteroid-induced remission. Twenty cases discontinued corticosteroid therapy after remission, as a result, 15 cases (75%) relapsed, moreover all the relapsed cases still had good response to corticosteroid. Two relapsed patients suffered from aplastic anemia, one of them died of therapy failure. Six patients were unresponsive to corticosteroid, 1 of which achieved remission with cyclosporine A and the others continued to receive regular transfusions. 3 patients received iron chelation therapy. It is concluded that the clinical characteristics, complete blood count, bone marrow smear, HbF level and EPO level are useful to make a diagnosis of DBA. Most patients have a good response to corticosteroid therapy, but relapse rate is high when drug was discontinued. Patients unresponsive to corticosteroid should receive regular transfusions and chelation therapy.

Corpus callosum defect with dilated lateral ventricles and an occipital cyst in an Egyptian child with Diamond-Blackfan anemia

Diamond-Blackfan anemia [DBA], an inherited bone marrow failure syndrome characterized by anemia that usually presents before the first birthday or in early childhood, is associated with birth defects and an increased risk of cancer. Although anemia is the most prominent feature of DBA, the disease is also characterized by growth retardation and congenital malformations, in particular craniofacial, upper limb, heart, and urinary system defects that are present in approximately 30%-50%of patients. Herein, we present a patient with Diamond-Blackfan anemia associated craniofacial anomalies, pyramidal manifestations and corpus callosum defect and dilated lateral ventricles opening with each other and opening with a posterior occipital cyst, an association that to date has not been reported

Diamond-Blackfan Anemia Confirmed by RPS19 Gene Mutation Analysis: A Case Study and Literature Review of Korean Patients / 대한진단검사의학회지

Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a rare congenital erythroid hypoplastic anemia that usually presents early in infancy and is inherited in up to 45% of cases. It is characterized by red cell aplasia, congenital anomalies, and a predisposition to cancer. Corticosteroids and red blood cell transfusions are the mainstays of therapy. We describe a case of 3-month-old infant who presented with severe anemia, elevated levels of HbF and adenosine deaminase and bilateral hydronephrosis, who was later confirmed as DBA by mutation analysis using the direct sequencing method. Direct sequencing analysis of RPS19 gene was performed with both cDNA and genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood and a c.3G>A point mutation of exon 2 resulting in p.Met1Ile was identified in this patient. The patient showed an inadequate response to steroid therapy and a partial response to RBC transfusion with a follow-up Hb level of 8.3 g/dL on her last visit to the outpatient clinic. DBA is a genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous disease, and we have reviewed the clinical characteristics of 25 Korean patients thus far reported in the literature. To our knowledge, this is the first case of DBA confirmed by mutation analysis in Korea, and mutation identification using molecular method is recommended for confirmation of this genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous disease.

Normalization of Red Cell Enolase Level Following Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation in a Child with Diamond-Blackfan Anemia

We describe a girl with Diamond-Blackfan anemia with accompanying red cell enolase deficiency. At the age of 9 yr old, the patient received allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from her HLA-identical sister who had normal red cell enolase activity. While the post transplant DNA analysis with short tandem repeat has continuously demonstrated a stable mixed chimerism on follow-up, the patient remains transfusion independent and continues to show a steady increase in red cell enolase activity for over two and a half years following bone marrow transplantation.

Diamond-Blackfan anemia: long-term follow-up of six cases / 소아과

PURPOSE: Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a rare heterogeneous genetic disorder of infancy and early childhood. It is characterized by red cell aplasia, congenital anomalies, and a predisposition to cancer. Corticosteroids and red cell transfusions are the mainstays of therapy. We describe our experience of 6 cases of DBA that were encountered over a period of 16 years. METHODS: Medical records of 6 patients diagnosed to have DBA and admitted to the Chonnam National University Hospital between 1992 and 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Three patients were males. The age at diagnosis ranged from 3 to 18 months (median, 5.5 months). Heart defects were observed in 4, polydactyly in 2, and strabismus in 1 patient. The median number of transfusions was 3 (range, 2 -8). All patients responded to initial treatment with steroids and had a hemoglobin level > or =9 g/dL with a median of 12.5 days (range, 7-22 days). Three patients are currently not receiving steroid therapy. A minimum dose of oral prednisolone ( or =9 mg/dL in 3 cases. Red cell transfusion was infrequently required in 1 patient. In the median follow-up of 14 years, there was no development of malignancy. No significant side effects of steroids were found, except for short stature in 2. CONCLUSION: The majority of DBA patients achieved complete response and under maintenance therapy with low dose of steroids. Close observation is needed to monitor steroid side effects, cardiac function, and development of malignancy. A nation-wide survey is necessary to further characterize this rare disease in Korean children.