Diagnóstico prenatal de clorhidrorrea congénita: reporte de caso / Prenatal diagnosis of congenital chloride diarrhea: A case report

La clorhidrorrea congénita es un trastorno genético infrecuente pero importante caracterizado por una alteración grave del balance hidroelectrolítico como resultado de un defecto en la absorción intestinal de cloruros. Los niños afectados presentan diarrea persistente, deshidratación y malnutrición; el control médico y del desarrollo son complejos. Mejorar la detección prenatal es esencial para facilitar la atención del paciente, las intervenciones tempranas y el asesoramiento genético informado. Sin embargo, a pesar de los avances de la medicina, la naturaleza compleja y la escasa frecuencia de esta entidad, constituyen un desafío para la detección prenatal. En este estudio, se reporta el caso de una embarazada donde los estudios por imágenes de resonancia magnética fetales identificaron en forma efectiva las características típicas de la clorhidrorrea congénita. Se proveen conocimientos sobre las complejidades del diagnóstico y se sugieren caminos para las estrategias de detección temprana de esta enfermedad.

Congenital chloride diarrhea (CCD) is a rare but significant genetic disorder characterized by severe electrolyte imbalances resulting from impaired intestinal chloride absorption. Affected children experience persistent diarrhea, dehydration, and malnutrition, complicating medical and developmental care. The enhancement of prenatal detection is crucial for improved patient management, early interventions, and informed genetic counseling. However, despite advancements in medicine, the complex nature and rarity of CCD make prenatal detection challenging. In this study, we report a fetal case where prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) effectively identified the distinctive characteristics of CCD, providing insights into the complexities of diagnosis and suggesting avenues for enhanced early detection strategies.

Enfermedad por inclusión microvellositaria como causa de diarrea congénita severa: caso clínico / Microvillous inclusion disease as a cause of severe congenital diarrhea: case report

Las diarreas congénitas son patologías graves de baja frecuencia y alta mortalidad. Se manifiestan durante los primeros días o meses de vida con severa diarrea, generando insuficiencia intestinal y dependencia de nutrición parenteral. Se debe sospechar ante un recién nacido o lactante con pérdidas masivas hidroelectrolíticas, y se diagnostican utilizando parámetros clínicos, endoscópicos, histológicos y eventualmente genéticos. El tratamiento es de soporte, con reposición hidroelectrolítica intensa y nutricional. OBJETIVO: Presentar un caso de diarrea congénita, identificada como Enfermedad por Inclusión Microvellositaria, de presentación neonatal. CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente varón edad actual 3 años, hijo de padres consanguíneos, quien debutó a los 10 días de vida con diarrea secretora severa, requiriendo ingreso a unidad de paciente crítico y nutrición parenteral permanente. Inicialmente además con síndrome de Fanconi, que luego se recupera. Se confirmó la sospecha de Enfermedad de Inclusión Microvellositaria utilizando microscopia óptica, electrónica e inmunohistoquímica. Se obtuvo una favorable evolución utilizando nutrición parenteral total (NPT) a domicilio. CONCLUSIONES: Se presenta el primer caso conocido en Chile de un paciente con diarrea congénita por inclusión microvellositaria manejado y su evolución.

Congenital diarrheas correspond to a severe and low frequency digestive disease, with a high mortality. They start a few days or months after birth, leading to intestinal insufficiency and dependence on parenteral nutrition. It must be highly suspected in newborns or infants with diarrhea and severe electrolyte disorders. The diagnosis is based on clinical, endoscopic, histologic and eventually genetic findings. Treatment is supportive with intensive correction of electrolyte imbalances as well as parenteral nutrition. OBJECTIVE: To present a case report of congenital diarrhea identified as microvillous inclusion disease presenting in the neonatal period. CASE REPORT: Male patient currently 3 years of age, son of consanguineous parents. At 10 days of age presents a severe secretory diarrhea, requiring treatment in a critical care unit and parenteral nutrition. Initially he also presented with Fanconi syndrome, which improved afterwards. The suspicion of congenital microvillous inclusion was confirmed later by optic and electronic microscopy, and inmunohistochemistry. A succesful evolution was later achieved maintaining home parenteral nutrition after discharge. CONCLUSION: We present the first known case in Chile of congenital diarrhea due to microvillous inclusión disease and his evolution.

Identification of SLC26A3 Mutations in a Korean Patient with Congenital Chloride Diarrhea

Congenital chloride diarrhea (CLD) is an autosomal recessive disorder with the hallmark of persistent watery Cl(-)-rich diarrhea from birth. Mutations in the solute carrier family 26, member 3 (SLC26A3) gene, which encodes a coupled Cl-/HCO3- exchanger in the ileum and colon, are known to cause CLD. Although there are a few reports of CLD patients in Korea, none of these had been confirmed by genetic analysis. Here, we describe the case of a Korean infant with clinical features of CLD. Using direct sequencing analysis, we identified 2 sequence variants: a missense variant of unknown significance (c.525G>C; p.Arg175 Ser) and a splicing mutation (c.2063-1G>T) in the SLC26A3 gene; these had been inherited from the father and mother, respectively. Whilst CLD is rare, its main symptom, diarrhea, is very common in infants. Hence, the diagnosis of CLD can prove difficult. Mutational analysis of the SLC26A3 gene should be considered as a viable method to confirm a diagnosis of CLD in Korean infants with persistent diarrhea.

Renal abnormalities in congenital chloride diarrhea

Congenital chloride diarrhea CLD is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by a defect in the chloride/ bicarbonate exchange in the ileum and colon. It is characterized by watery diarrhea, abdominal distension, hypochloremic hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis with high fecal content of chloride >90 mmol/l. We report 3 patients with CLD associated with various renal abnormalities including chronic renal failure secondary to renal hypoplasia, nephrocalcinosis and congenital nephrotic syndrome

Congenital chloridorrhea in Korean infants

The present paper describes two Korean male infants, 1. 16 year old and newly born neonate from two families who were diagnosed and managed for one of very rare inborn errors of metabolism, congenital chloridorrhea (Darrow-Gamble syndrome). The diagnosis was suggested by one of the authors (HRM) from the unusual combination of metabolic alkalosis with severe gastrointestinal disorder presenting with chronic, profuse watery diarrhea in the newborn period in the first patient; and the maternal polyhydramnios, the appearance of dilated fetal bowel loops on prenatal ultrasonography and profuse watery diarrhea beginning at birth without passage of meconium in the second patient. The diagnosis was confirmed in both patients by examination of the stool chloride concentration which revealed extremely high exceeding the sum of sodium and potassium concentrations. Serum electrolytes and arterial blood gas analyses revealed hyponatremia, hypokalemia and hypochloremia with elevated bicarbonate. With replacement of fluid and electrolyte deficit and adequate dietary supplements of potassium and chloride, both patients remained well although the character of the stools waxed and waned. This is the first reported case of congenital chloridorrhea in korean population.

Congenital chloridorrhea in Korean infants

The present paper describes two Korean male infants, 1. 16 year old and newly born neonate from two families who were diagnosed and managed for one of very rare inborn errors of metabolism, congenital chloridorrhea (Darrow-Gamble syndrome). The diagnosis was suggested by one of the authors (HRM) from the unusual combination of metabolic alkalosis with severe gastrointestinal disorder presenting with chronic, profuse watery diarrhea in the newborn period in the first patient; and the maternal polyhydramnios, the appearance of dilated fetal bowel loops on prenatal ultrasonography and profuse watery diarrhea beginning at birth without passage of meconium in the second patient. The diagnosis was confirmed in both patients by examination of the stool chloride concentration which revealed extremely high exceeding the sum of sodium and potassium concentrations. Serum electrolytes and arterial blood gas analyses revealed hyponatremia, hypokalemia and hypochloremia with elevated bicarbonate. With replacement of fluid and electrolyte deficit and adequate dietary supplements of potassium and chloride, both patients remained well although the character of the stools waxed and waned. This is the first reported case of congenital chloridorrhea in korean population.