Clinical and genetic features of Barth syndrome in three patients / 临床儿科杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of the Barth syndrome (BTHS).MethodsClinical data were collected and analyzed from 3 patients with conifrmed genetic diagnosis of BTHS from June 2013 to October 2014.ResultsAll of the 3 patients were males and two of them were twins. The main clinical manifes-tations of the 3 patients were cardiomyopathy and heart failure, accompanied by different degrees of trabeculations of the left ventricle. Two of them were diagnosed of left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC). All of the 3 patients presented with motor retardation, muscle weakness, growth delay and signiifcantly increased urinary excretion of 3-methylglutaconic acid (3-MGC). One patient was found to have neutropenia. All 3 patients hadTAZ gene mutations which included a novel missense mutation (c.527A>G, p.H176R) detected in the twins and a known nonsense mutation (c.367C>T, p.R123X) identiifed in the other patient. All of the mutations were inherited from their mothers. During the follow-up, the twins died at 7 months old and 7.5 months old respectively. The other patient was still alive.ConclusionBTHS is one of the causes of cardiomyopathy in children. In the male patients who presented with muscle weakness, neutropenia, and increased urinary excretion of 3-MGC, especially in those com-bined with LVNC, BTHS should be screened.

Identification of a Novel TAZ Gene Mutation in a Family With X-Linked Dilated Cardiomyopathy Barth Syndrome

Abstract Mutations in the tafazzin (TAZ) gene on chromosome Xq28 are responsible for the Barth syndrome (BTHS) phenotype resulting in a loss of function in the protein tafazzin involved in the transacylation of cardiolipin, an essential mitochondrial phospholipid. TAZ gene was investigated in the proband in our study, who died of dilated cardiomyopathy at 8 months of age, and his family by sequencing to identify the genetic cause of BTHS. Molecular analysis revealed a novel mutation in exon 5 (c.520T>G) of the TAZ gene. This novel mutation c.520T>G, pW174G, was also found in female carriers (mother and grandmother of proband) in the family. Bioinformatic analysis was carried out to examine the effect of mutation in the gene and confirmed the deleterious effect of this single mutation to the protein structure. Protein modeling and 3-dimensional structure of TAZ protein demonstrated the significantly visible changes in mutated protein leading to BTHS phenotype. Prenatal diagnosis in a subsequent pregnancy showed a carrier female, and pregnancy was continued. Child is doing well at 1 year of age.