Síndrome de artrogriposis, disfunción tubular renal y colestasis: causa de colestasis neonatal. A propósito de un caso / Arthrogryposis-renal tubular dysfunction-cholestasis syndrome: a cause of neonatal cholestasis. Case report

El síndrome de artrogriposis, disfunción tubular renal y colestasis es un trastorno fatal infrecuente que compromete múltiples aparatos y sistemas de órganos. Es un trastorno autosómico recesivo hereditario, causado por defectos en los genes VPS33B y VIPAR. Los tres signos primordiales de este síndrome son la artrogriposis, la disfunción tubular renal y la colestasis. Otros compromisos orgánicos a veces asociados con este síndrome son ictiosis, malformación del sistema nervioso central, anomalías trombocíticas, defectos cardíacos congénitos y grave retraso del crecimiento. Las manifestaciones clínicas, la biopsia de un órgano y los análisis de mutaciones pueden ayudar con el diagnóstico, pero no existe un tratamiento curativo; solamente puede instaurarse un tratamiento sintomático. Varios síntomas de esta afección usualmente se manifiestan en el período neonatal: artrogriposis, colestasis neonatal, lesiones cutáneas, entre otros. En general, la supervivencia se prolonga hasta el primer año de vida. Presentamos el caso de una recién nacida con una rápida evolución y desenlace fatal.

Arthrogryposis-renal dysfunction-cholestasis syndrome is a rare lethal disorder that involves multipl organ system. It is inherited autosomal recessive and caused by defects in the VPS33B and VIPAR genes. Three cardinal findings of this syndrome are arthrogryposis, renal tubular dysfunction and cholestasis.The other organ involvements including ichthyosis, central nervous system malformation, platelet anomalies, congenital heart defects and severe failure to thrive are sometimes associated with this syndrome. Clinical findings, organ biopsy and mutational analysis can help for diagnosing but there is no curative treatment except supportive care. Several symptoms of this condition are already usually present in the neonatal period: arthrogryposis, neonatal cholestasis, skin lesions, among others. Usually survival is until the first year of life. We present a newborn whose evolution was rapidly fatal.

Clinical Characteristics of Arthrogryposis, Renal Tubular Dysfunction, Cholestasis(ARC) Syndrome in Korea

PURPOSE: ARC syndrome refers to an association of arthrogryposis, renal tubular dysfunction, and cholestasis. The VPS33B gene was recently identified as the causative gene. So far, 41 cases of ARC syndrome have been reported worldwide, and it has rarely been reported in Korea. This study was conducted to report the clinical findings of seven ARC syndrome cases in Korean children, focusing especially on renal tubular dysfunction. METHODS: The hospital records of 7 cases diagnosed as ARC syndrome at Severance Hospital between Mar. 1995 and Aug. 2005 were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 7 cases, 4 were boys and 3 were girls. Six patients(85%) were born with normal birth weight at term, and one was born at preterm. All cases presented with cholestasis and severe jaundice. According to the type of arthrogryposis described by Brown et al, type 3 and 4 were found in 2 patients and type 6, 7, and the undistributed type in one patient respectively. Other associated clinical findings were as follows:failure to thrive in 6(85%), lax skin in 5(71%), and gray platelet syndrome in 4(57%). Urine analysis revealed 6 cases(85%) with proteinuria, 3(43%) with hematuria, 5(71%) with glycosuria, 2(29%) with phosphaturia and 2(29%) with calciuria. Serum electrolytes showed 4 cases(57%) with hyponatremia, 3(43%) with hypokalemia, and 1(14%) with creatinine elevation. Renal tubular dysfunctions were diagnosed as renal tubular acidosis in 6 cases(85%), nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in 2(29%), and Fanconi syndrome in 2(29%). During the follow-up period, 2(29%) had no treatment, 5(85%) had continuous supplementation to correct the electrolyte imbalance and acidosis, and 1(14%) had dialysis. Only one patient had a family history of ARC syndrome in a sibling. Four cases(57%) were diagnosed at the mean age of 8.2 months, and one case was lost during follow-up. Ages of the survived 2 cases were 13 and 25 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: The rare disease of ARC syndrome is associated with severe renal dysfunction. However, this study revealed that the renal manifestation of ARC syndrome in Korean children is relatively mild and survival rate is higher than that of previous studies. Contrary to previous reports, this study showed that familial cases are rare and sporadic occurence is possible in Korea. Thus, the diagnosis of this syndrome requires a careful evaluation of the renal function in cases of congenital arthrogryposis, and a mandatory genetic counseling of affected family for prevention of familial occurance.

A Case of Neonatal Cholestasis with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita and Renal Tubular Insufficiency(ARC Syndrome)

We report a case of ARC syndrome with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, renal tubular insufficiency and cholestasis. The Patient presented in the early neonatal period with micrognathia, low set ears, high arched palate, multiple joint contracture, conjugated hyperbilirubinemia and failure to thrive. He died at the age of 1 month despite medical therapy. Findings of renal tubular insufficiency included persistent renal tubular acidosis, glucosuria, aminoaciduria, and proteinuria. Liver biopsy revealed intracellular and canalicular cholestasis, ballooning degeneration and giant cell formation of hepatocyte. Kidney sonography revealed medullary nephrocalcinosis. This association was first reported in 1973 by Lutz-Richner and Landolt and again in another family by Nezelof et al in 1979. Until now, 13 cases were reported worldwide. Except one case, all children died in infancy. Autosomal recessive inheritance is the most likely mode of transmission. We have experienced a case of ARC syndrome in a male neonate with signs and symptoms of lethargy, poor oral intake, direct hyperbilirubinemia, acidosis, and multiple joint contracture.