Hyperinsulinism-hyperammonemia syndrome in two Peruvian children with refractory epilepsy.

OBJECTIVES: Congenital hyperinsulinism (HI) is a heterogeneous clinical disorder with great variability in its clinical phenotype, and to date, pathogenic variants in 23 genes have been recognized.  Hyperinsulinism-hyperammonemia syndrome (HI/HA) is the second most frequent cause of this disease that shows an autosomal dominant pattern and is caused by an activating mutation of the GLUD1 gene, which responds favorably to the use of diazoxide. HI/HA syndrome presents with fasting hypoglycemia; postprandial hypoglycemia, especially in those with a high protein content (leucine); and persistent mild hyperammonemia. Neurological abnormalities, in the form of epilepsy or neurodevelopmental delay, are observed in a high percentage of patients; therefore, timely diagnosis is crucial for proper management. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the clinical presentation of two Peruvian children that presented with epilepsy whose genetic analysis revealed a missense mutation in the GLUD1 gene, one within exon 11, at 22% mosaicism; and another within exon 7, as well as their response to diazoxide therapy. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first two cases of HI/HA syndrome reported in Peru. CONCLUSIONS: HI/HA syndrome went unnoticed, because hypoglycemia was missed and were considered partially controlled epilepsies. A failure to recognize hypoglycemic seizures will delay diagnosis and adequate treatment, so a proper investigation could avoid irreversible neurological damage.

Association of Central Precocious Puberty with a Rare Presentation of Schimmelpenning-Feuerstein-Mims Syndrome in a Peruvian Girl.

Schimmelpenning-Feuerstein-Mims syndrome (SFM), an epidermal nevus syndrome characterized by skin lesions, has an estimated incidence of 1 per 10 000 live births. Nevus sebaceous, the most common cutaneous lesion, and verrucous nevus, the less frequent lesion, are coupled with a wide range of extracutaneous manifestations. As part of these manifestations, rarely, central precocious puberty can arise. We report the case of a 1-year-5-month-old girl who presented to the Endocrinology and Metabolism Department with breast enlargement that began at one year of age, growth of pubic and axillary hair three months later, and vaginal bleeding that occurred five months later. During clinical examination, melanocytic nevi, with a diameter ranging from 3 to 5 mm, were noted on the face. Verrucous nevi of variable size with a tendency for coalescence following the lines of Blaschko and melanocytic nevi with a diameter ranging from 3 to 6 mm were observed on the right hemibody and on the left hemibody, respectively. Right asymmetry of the lower extremities was observed. Laboratory findings showed a significant increase in the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) after the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test; additionally, imaging demonstrated advanced bone age and pubertal changes in the internal genitals. Analyses of the H-RAS, K-RAS, and N-RAS genes in the blood and in the skin were performed, and a missense mutation in exon 2 of the gene, H-RAS c37G > C (p.G13R), was detected in the latter. Treatment with triptorelin, a GnRH analog, was initiated, and it gave good clinical response. Epidermal nevus syndrome has a wide and variable systemic involvement. Thus, it is important to consider the development of precocious puberty for a prompt diagnosis and to strategize a multidisciplinary approach from the beginning.

Pubertad precoz transitoria en la niña / Transient precocious puberty in the girl

Objetivo: Presentar cinco casos de pubertad precoz transitoria o regresiva en la niña, forma poco usual de presentación de la pubertad precoz. Material y métodos: se revisaron las historias clínicas de pacientes de sexo femenino con pubertad precoz vistas en el Servicio de Endocrinología del Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño entre el año 1982 y 2003. Se hallaron 5 historias de pacientes que presentaron pubertad transitoria o regresiva. Los datos de historia clinica y exámenes auxiliares se recolectaron en una ficha elaborada para este propósito. Resultados: La edad promedio al momento del diagnóstico fue de 29 meses (rango: 5 meses a 7 años). Los caracteres sexuales secundarios remitieron en todos los casos, en un período promedio de 11,4 meses (rango: 3 a 20 meses). Por lo general, estos casos se presentan a edades tempranas y los caracteres sexuales regresionaron alrededor del año del inicio de su presentación. No existió progresión rápida de la edad ósea ni de la velocidad de crecimiento. La prueba de GnRH, así como el desarrollo de genitales internos detectados ecográficamente, retornaron a sus valores prepuberales en todos los casos. Conclusiones: Estas formas clínicas deben tenerse en cuenta a fin de evitar tratamientos innecesaios con frenadores de la pubertad.

Objetive: To report five cases of transient or regressive precocious puberty in girls, as an unusual form of precocious puberty. Patients and methods: The medical records of girls with precocious puberty were reviewed. Five cases of transient or regressive precocious puberty were found. They all attended the Endocrinology Unit at Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño between the years 1982 and 2003. The clinical data and the results of the exams were recorded in a form designed for this study. Results: The mean age at time of diagnosis was 29 month (range: 5 months-7 years). The pubertal signs disappeared in a mean time of 11,4 months (range: 3-20 months). Generally, these cases appear at early ages and the puertal signs last for one year. There was no increase in the bone age maturation or growth rates. The GnRH test and the ultrasonography changes in the internal genitalia, return to a pre puberty state in all the cases. Conclusions: These clinical form must be considered in order to avoid unnecessary treatment as puberty delayers.

Evaluación clínica y diagnóstica de la pubertad precoz en el Instituto de Salud del Niño / Diagnosis and clinical evaluation of patients with precocoius puberty (Instituto de Salud del Niño)

El presente estudio tiene como objetivo mostrar las características clínicas y diagnósticas previas al tratamiento de pacientes con diagnóstico de pubertad precoz admitidos en el Instituto de Salud del Niño durante los años 1982 a 1997. Se recopiló un total de 137 casos admitidos por desarrollo puberal, de los cuales, 80 casos fueron pubertad precoz (56.20 por ciento de casos se debió a pubertad precoz central y 2.19 por ciento a pubertad precoz periférica), 8 casos pubertad temprana. 45 telarquia prematura y 4 formas frustras. La edad al diagnóstico fue de 6,56 más menos 2,46 años y el tiempo de enfermedad de 12,45 más menos 12,07 meses. Se encontró un predominio femenino en razón de 4.5 a 1. Ambos sexos tuvieron mayor proporción de casos idiopáticos mientras que los varones presentaron mayor proporción de lesión orgánica. La edad ósea fue de 8,79 más menos 3,28 años, y los valores de LH post-GnRH fue de 19.89 más menos 17.22. Los datos encontrados son similares a los reportados en la literatura dándose importancia a la detección precoz de esta patología para un manejo temprano y oportuno según la etiología del caso.