Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the GLA gene. Although genetic testing is the gold standard for FD diagnosis, the identification of numerous splicing variants of unknown pathogenicity poses a significant diagnostic challenge. This uncertainty limits the clinical utility of sequencing in guiding patient management and therapeutic intervention. A combination of in silico prediction tools and in vitro minigene splicing assays was utilized to explore the pathogenicity and underlying molecular mechanism of novel deep non-coding variants identified via long-read sequencing in clinically suspected but genetically unsolved patients. Functional assays revealed that the large deep-intronic insertion c.640-613ins1715 fundamentally disrupts local splicing pattern and introduces new non-canonical splicing sites. It induces a complex array of aberrant events, including partial exon skipping, intron retention, and pseudoexon inclusion, generating five distinct abnormal transcripts alongside residual normal transcript. These aberrant transcripts introduce frameshifts predicted to yield truncated, non-functional proteins. Consequently, this variant was definitively classified as Pathogenic. Conversely, neither the two deep-intronic single nucleotide variants (c.640-363C > T and c.639+761 G > A) nor their cis configuration exhibited aberrant splicing in our minigene system. However, due to the proband’s later-onset FD phenotype, ambiguous population frequencies (gnomAD), and the potential for tissue-specific splicing missed by in vitro models, both variants remain classified as VUS. This study expands the mutational spectrum of the GLA gene and underscores the complexity of deep-intronic variants. Our findings highlight the critical role of robust functional splicing assays in interpreting variant pathogenicity, establishing accurate genotype-phenotype correlations, and ultimately facilitating precision medicine for FD.
OBJECTIVE:Pompe disease is a rare, progressively debilitating lysosomal disorder. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is an established treatment targeting the underlying enzyme deficiency. Alglucosidase alfa has shown benefits in survival, ambulation, and respiratory function and was approved in China for both infantile-onset (IOPD)and late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) in 2015.To assess the effectiveness and safety of 52-week Alglucosidase alfa treatment among Chinese patients with LOPD in a multicenter, single arm, open-label, prospective clinical study. METHODS:Forty-one eligible LOPD patients received Alglucosidase alfa infusions at 20 mg/kg every 2 weeks for 52 weeks. Primary endpoints included the six-minute walk test (6MWT), percentage of predicted forced vital capacity (FVC), and safety profile. Secondary endpoints encompassed manual muscle test (MMT), maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure (MIP and MEP), Quick motor function test (QMFT) scores, and health-related quality of life (SF-12). RESULTS:After 52 weeks, the mean 6MWT distance significantly improved by 43.6 m (P = 0.0017). Although the mean percentage of predicted FVC improved by 2.4%, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.1424). MIP and MEP percentages improved, reaching maximal improvement at 38 weeks. Both MMT and QMFT scores demonstrated significant improvements, with increases of 2.5 points (P < 0.0001) and 5.6 points (P < 0.0001), respectively. PCS significantly improved by 3.8 points (P = 0.0039), while MCS improvement was not statistically significant. A total of 32 participants (78.0%) experienced 137 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Most of these TEAEs were mild to moderate in severity and resolved without sequelae. CONCLUSIONS:Alglucosidase alfa demonstrated a positive benefit-risk profile in Chinese LOPD patients, confirming its safety and effectiveness.
Background:Velaglucerase alfa is approved in China for treating type 1 Gaucher disease (GD1), but data on its use in Chinese pediatric and adult patients are limited. This study evaluated the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of velaglucerase alfa in Chinese patients with GD1. Methods:This was a phase IIIb, multicenter, open-label, single-arm, 53-week study (NCT05529992). Patients received intravenous velaglucerase alfa (60 U/kg) every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was the incidence of serious treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Secondary endpoints evaluated safety (incidence of TEAEs), efficacy (changes in hemoglobin concentrations, platelet counts, liver and spleen volumes [as percent of body weight, % BW]), and quality of life (QoL). Results:Twenty patients were enrolled (treatment-naïve, n = 16; previously treated, n = 4). Four patients experienced 4 serious TEAEs requiring hospitalization; none were treatment-related. Overall, 19 of 20 patients experienced 104 TEAEs, of which 9 were treatment-related (8.7%; all mild). No TEAEs or deaths led to discontinuation of treatment. Mean (SD) improvements in hemoglobin concentrations (baseline, 10.5 g/dL [2.2]; change, +2.3 g/dL [1.3]; +25.5%), platelet counts (baseline, 59.9 × 109/L [23.4]; change, +42.1 × 109/L [27.7]; +82.3%), normalized spleen (baseline, 5.2% BW [2.6]; change, -3.1% BW [1.6]; -58.4%), and liver volume (baseline, 4.6% BW [1.3]; change, -1.1% BW [0.9]; -21.5%) were observed through Week 53. Nineteen of 20 (95.0%) patients reported improved QoL. Conclusions:Velaglucerase alfa was well-tolerated in Chinese patients with GD1, with no new safety signals, and resulted in improved hemoglobin and platelet levels, as well as liver and spleen volumes.
Nusinersen is the first antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) drug approved for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in China; however, its pharmacokinetics (PK) in Chinese SMA patients remains unknown. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methodology for quantifying nusinersen in human plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. The samples were prepared by protein precipitation, and then the gradient was eluted on a column of Acquity UPLC Xbridge C18 by using acetonitrile with 0.5% triethylamine (TEA) and 0.5% hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) and water with 0.5% TEA and 0.5% HFIP as the mobile phase. Detection was performed on a QTRAP6500+ tandem mass spectrometer in the negative ion multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode using electrospray ionization (ESI). The optimized method was successfully qualified for the nusinersen in human plasma and CSF samples over the range of 5.00 to 1000 ng/mL and 2.00 to 400 ng/mL, respectively. Importantly, our work is the first report of quantification of nusinersen in human plasma and CSF by LC-MS/MS methodology. The developed methodology is reliable and will be applied to PK study of nusinersen in Chinese SMA patients.
Genome sequencing (GS) refers to a technology that comprehensively and systematically detects the DNA sequences of an individual's nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. It aims to identify genetic variants and investigate their roles in human health and disease progression. As an emerging diagnostic tool, GS offers significant support for clinical diagnosis due to its high throughput, accuracy, and comprehensiveness. However, the complexity of data analysis and interpretation requires substantial professional expertise and experience, posing considerable challenges. When applying GS technology for molecular diagnosis of genetic diseases, ethical and technical issues related to clinical application arise, including informed consent, diagnostic data interpretation, and defining the scope and content of clinical reports. This expert consensus outlines the core workflow of clinical genome sequencing (cGS), clarifies its testing scope and technical limitations, and provides key steps for data quality control, analysis, annotation, and variant interpretation. It also addresses controversial issues related to report content and informed consent. This consensus aims to assist professionals in accurately understanding and appropriately utilizing clinical genome sequencing, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy for genetic diseases, enhancing the clinical utility of the technology, and advancing medical scientific research.
Hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) can occur in patients with glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSDIa), which is caused by mutations in the glucose-6-phosphatase gene (G6PC). Studies on HCA in GSDIa patients are limited and show variable results. Larger cohorts of GSDIa patients with HCA should be investigated. In this study, we examined the clinical characteristics and G6PC genotypes of 50 patients with HCA among 164 GSDIa cases. The incidence of HCA in GSDIa patients was 30.5
Background:Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS) is a mitochondrial genetic disorder characterized by progressive external ophthalmoplegia, short stature, atrioventricular block, and proximal renal tubular dysfunction. While Fanconi syndrome is a recognized renal manifestation of KSS, it is rare as the initial presenting feature. This report describes the clinical and genetic features of a child with KSS who initially presented with Fanconi syndrome. Case Description:A 10-year-old girl, initially diagnosed with Fanconi syndrome at 3 years of age, exhibited growth retardation by age 5 years and bilateral ptosis by age 8 years. In July 2022, her age of 10 years, she developed diabetes mellitus and third-degree atrioventricular block. The patient presented for medical evaluation. Upon examination, she was found to have sensorineural hearing loss, hyperlactatemia, elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein, decreased folate levels, and renal insufficiency. Muscle biopsy revealed ragged red fibers, and mitochondrial gene analysis confirmed the diagnosis of KSS. Whole-exome sequencing identified a heterozygous mutation in the DNA2 gene (c.865C>T, p.R286X) along with a 7,521-base pair mitochondrial DNA deletion. Symptoms improved with nutritional mitochondrial therapy. Conclusions:Mitochondrial mutations may contribute to the development of Fanconi syndrome. Fanconi syndrome may present as the initial manifestation of KSS. KSS should be considered in pediatric patients presenting with Fanconi syndrome and extrarenal manifestations, such as ptosis.
We aimed to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular involvement in our Blau syndrome (BS) cohort and provide detailed analysis of their cardiovascular manifestations and outcome. We also tried to find out the risk factors for developing cardiovascular involvement. Clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and treatments were reviewed. Clinical features were compared between children with cardiovascular involvement and those without angiocardiopathy. A total of 38 BS children were eligible for final analysis. Among them, 13 (34.2
The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome(EDS)is a rare inherent connective tissue disorder.The prev-alence of EDS in the population is estimated at one out of ten thousand to one out of a hundred thousand.The vascular EDS(vEDS)are rare among the subtypes but are the worst in prognosis.The article reports a case of vEDS admitted to the hospital.The patient was a young man complaining of a sudden onset of aphasia in right hemiparalysis and severe left abdominal pain for unknown reasons.The diagnosis was made after the genetic testing.The patient suffered from vEDS.Then,the multi-disciplinary team(MDT)made a treatment plan tailored to this young patient.The complexity in classification and delusive presentations of the EDS make the correct diagnosis very challenging.This article hopes to report this case and to share the experiences to the bet-ter understanding of this disease.
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of the hepatolenticular degeneration in children,and to clarify the significance of gene diagnosis in children with hepatolenticular degeneration.Methods A total of 75 patients with hepatolenticular degeneration were enrolled in the Department of Pediatrics,Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2011 to 2018.All of them carried out a generation of gene sequencing for ATPase Cu2+trans-porting beta polypeptide(ATP7B)gene and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification(MLPA)analysis.Results Among the 75 pediatric patients,55 patients were asymptomatic and had elevated aminotransferases as the incidental findings.All the pediatric patients had decreased ceruloplasmin.Seventy-two of pediatric patients had 24-hour urinary copper>40 μg/d.There were 16 cases that had Kayser-Fleischer(K-F)rings.Sixteen six out of 75(21.33%)cases were diagnosed clinically and 15 cases were>7 years old.All the remaining patients needed genetic diagnosis.Sixty-six patients had two mutations and 9 patients had only one mutation,1 had no mutation.Forty eight different mutations were found to be localized in ATP7B gene.These mutations included 32 missense mutations,6 splice mutations,5 deletion mutations,2 repeated mutations,2 insert mutations and 1 nonsense muta-tions.The most frequently three mutations were c.2333G>T,p.R778L,c.2621C>T,p.A874V,c.2975C>T,p.P992L,whose allele frequencies were 30.49%,14.89%,9.92%.Conclusions The research showed that in young aged patients,the nervous system symptoms are not obvious and the positive rate of laboratory tests are lower than adults so is a challenge to clinical diagnosis.So Genetic testing is of great significance for the early diagnosis and early treatment of disease in pediatric patients.
BACKGROUND:As a rare mitochondrial disorder, the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) deficiency is a rare inborn disease characterized with glucose metabolism defects, which leads to neurological dysfunction, serum lactic acid buildup and a resultant trend of metabolic acidosis. Although the ketogenic diet (KD) is the first-line treatment for PDC deficiency, there is currently no widely accepted consensus on specific implementation of KD for this condition. Due to the combined effect of pre-existing hyperlactacidemia and KD-induced ketoacidosis that can further exacerbate metabolic disturbances, maintaining metabolic homeostasis should be prioritized during the implementation of KD. CASE PRESENTATION:Herein, the authors present a 6-year-old boy with lactic acidosis, ataxia, hypotonia and neuromotor development retardation. The KD was started after the patient was diagnosed with PDC deficiency based on genetic testing. The initiation with classic KD resulted in severe non-diabetic ketoacidosis with elevated anion gap, which was promptly alleviated by dextrose supplementation and dietary modification to a less-restrictive KD. Long-term supervision demonstrated the efficacy of a modified KD in improving both clinical course and metabolic acidosis of the patient. CONCLUSIONS:This rare case adds to the limited evidence of KD application in PDC deficiency, and provides valuable insights into the importance of reasonably lowering the ketogenic ratio of KD at the start of treatment to reduce the risk of metabolic acidosis.
OBJECTIVE:To quantitatively measure femoral bone marrow involvement in patients with Gaucher disease (GD) by using fat fraction (FF) derived from the iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares estimation quantitation (IDEAL-IQ) technique. METHODS:Bilateral femora of 23 patients with type 1 GD receiving low-dose imiglucerase treatment were prospectively scanned using structural magnetic resonance imaging sequences and an IDEAL-IQ sequence. Femoral bone marrow involvement was evaluated by both semiquantification (bone marrow burden [BMB] score based on magnetic resonance imaging structural images) and quantification (FF derived from IDEAL-IQ) methods. These patients were further divided into subgroups according to whether they underwent splenectomy or had bone complications. The interreader agreement of measurements and the correlation between FF and clinical status were statistically analyzed. RESULTS:In patients with GD, both BMB and FF evaluation of femora showed good interreader concordance (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.98 and 0.99, respectively), and FF highly correlated with BMB score ( P < 0.001). The longer the duration of disease, the lower the FF ( P = 0.026). Femoral FF was lower in subgroups with splenectomy or bone complications than those without splenectomy or bone complications (0.47 ± 0.08 vs 0.60 ± 0.15, 0.51 ± 0.10 vs 0.61 ± 0.17, respectively, both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:Femoral FF derived from IDEAL-IQ could be used to quantify femoral bone marrow involvement in patients with GD, and low bone marrow FF may predict worse outcomes of GD patients in this small-scale study.
OBJECTIVES:To study the efficacy of a low-copper diet guidance based on food exchange portions in children with hepatolenticular degeneration. METHODS:A self-controlled study was conducted from July 2021 to June 2022, including 30 children under the age of 18 who were diagnosed with hepatolenticular degeneration and poorly controlled with a low-copper diet. During the medical visit, personalized low-copper diet guidance was provided to the children and their parents using a copper-containing food exchange table and a copper food exchange chart. During home care, compliance with the low-copper diet of the children was improved by recording dietary diaries and conducting regular follow-ups. The changes in 24-hour urine copper level, liver function indicators, and the low-copper diet knowledge of the children's parents were observed before and after the intervention, with no change in the original drug treatment. RESULTS:After 8, 16, and 24 weeks of intervention, the 24-hour urine copper level decreased significantly compared to before intervention (P<0.05). When compared to 8-week intervention, the urine copper level decreased significantly after 16 and 24 weeks of intervention. The 24-hour urine copper level after 24 weeks of intervention decreased significantly compared to 16 weeks of intervention (P<0.05).After 24 weeks of intervention, the alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels decreased significantly compared to before intervention (P<0.05). Additionally, in 16 of the cases (53%), alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase returned to normal levels. Following 8 weeks of intervention, the low-copper diet knowledge of the children's parents increased significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:A low-copper diet guidance based on food exchange portions can effectively decrease the urine copper level and improve liver function in children with hepatolenticular degeneration. Furthermore, it can increase the low-copper diet knowledge of the children's parents.
1 病例资料 男,10岁10月,因"生长落后10年余"于中国医学科学院北京协和医学院北京协和医院(我院)儿科门诊就诊.胎儿期超声即发现股骨短,出生身长42 cm,标准差记分法(SDS)-4.3,体重3200 g(SDS -0.3),头围34 cm(SDS -0.4),四肢短,手指脚趾短,拇指呈"搭便车手"样畸形,拇指向桡侧外展(图1).无腭裂、马蹄内翻足、耳廓畸形等.
Background: Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II (MPS II) is a rare, progressive and ultimately fatal X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS) gene. This report conducted a retrospective analysis to investigate the clinical characteristics, genotypes and management strategies in a large cohort of Chinese patients with MPS II.Methods: In this study, we explored 130 Chinese patients with MPS II between September 2008 and April 2022. Clinical manifestations, auxiliary examination, IDS pathogenic gene variants and IDS enzyme activity, surgical history were analysed in the study.Results: A total of 130 patients were enrolled and the mean age at diagnosis was 5 years old. This study found the most common symptoms in our patients were claw-like hands, followed by coarse facial features, birthmarks (Mongolian spot), delayed development, inguinal or umbilical hernia. The most commonly cardiac manifestations were valve abnormalities, which were mitral/tricuspid valve regurgitation (71.9%) and aortic/pulmonary valve regurgitation (36.8%). We had found 43 different IDS pathogenic gene variants in 55 patients, included 16 novel variants. The variants were concentrated in exon 9 (20% = 11/55), exon 3 (20% = 11/55) and exon 8 (15% = 8/55). A total of 50 patients (38.5%) underwent surgical treatment, receiving a total of 63 surgeries. The average age of first surgery was 2.6 years, and the majority of surgery (85.7%, 54/63) was operated before 4 years old. The most common and earliest surgery was hernia repair. Three patients were died of respiratory failure.Conclusion: This study provided additional information on the clinical, cardiac ultrasound and surgical procedure in MPS II patients. Our study expanded the genotype spectrum of MPS II. Based on these data, characterization of MPS II patients group could be used to early diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Objective: To analyze the short-time efficacy of empagliflozin in the treatment of glycogen storage disease type Ⅰb (GSD Ⅰb). Methods: In this prospective open-label single-arm study, the data of 4 patients were collected from the pediatric department in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from December 2020 to December 2022. All of them were diagnosed by gene sequencing and had neutropenia. These patients received empagliflozin treatment. Their clinical symptoms such as height and weight increase, abdominal pain, diarrhea, oral ulcer, infection times, and drug applications were recorded at 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, and 15 months after treatment to assess the therapeutic effect. The liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was used to monitor the changes in 1, 5-anhydroglucitol (1, 5AG) concentration in plasma. At the same time, adverse reactions such as hypoglycemia and urinary tract infection were closely followed up and monitored. Results: The 4 patients with GSD Ⅰb were 15, 14, 4 and 14 years old, respectively at the beginning of empagliflozin treatment, and were followed up for 15, 15, 12 and 6 months, respectively. Maintenance dose range of empagliflozin was 0.24-0.39 mg/(kg·d). The frequency of diarrhea and abdominal pain decreased in cases 2, 3, and 4 at 1, 2 and 3 months of treatment, respectively. Their height and weight increased at different degrees.The absolute count of neutrophils increased from 0.84×109, 0.50×109, 0.48×109, 0.48×109/L to 1.48×109, 3.04×109, 1.10×109, 0.73×109/L, respectively. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was gradually reduced in 1 patients and stopped in 3 patient. Plasma 1, 5 AG levels in 2 children were significantly decreased after administration of empagliflozin (from 46.3 mg/L to 9.6 mg/L in case 2, and from 56.1 mg/L to 15.0 mg/L in case 3). All 4 patients had no adverse reactions such as hypoglycemia, abnormal liver or kidney function, or urinary system infection. Conclusion: In short-term observation, empagliflozin can improve the symptoms of GSD Ⅰb oral ulcers, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and recurrent infection, also can alleviate neutropenia and decrease 1, 5AG concentration in plasma, with favorable safety.
Ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1)-related multiple arterial stenoses is a rare clinical syndrome in which global arterial calcification begins in infancy, with a high probability of early mortality, and hypophosphatemic rickets develops later in childhood. The vascular status of an ENPP1-mutated patient when they enter the rickets phase has not been thoroughly explored. In this study, we presented a case of an adolescent with an ENPP1 mutation who complained of uncontrolled hypertension. Systematic radiography showed renal, carotid, cranial, and aortic stenoses as well as random calcification foci on arterial walls. The patient was incorrectly diagnosed with Takayasu's arteritis, and cortisol therapy had little effect on reducing the vascular stenosis. As a result, phosphate replacement, calcitriol substitution, and antihypertensive medication were prescribed, and the patient was discharged for further examination. This research presented the vascular alterations of an ENPP1-mutanted patient, and while there is less calcification, intimal thickening may be the primary cause of arterial stenosis.
Background Progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia (PPRD) is a rare genetic disease with autosomal recessive inheritance. There was a lack of genotype–phenotype correlation data from the Chinese population. This study aimed to identify the genotype and phenotype characteristics of Chinese PPRD patients and to conduct a genotype–phenotype analysis of Chinese PPRD patients. Methods Genetic analysis was performed for suspected PPRD patients from Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Medical records were collected from the electronic medical record system and patient-held portable health records. Published Chinese PPRD cases were gathered from both international and Chinese local databases. We collected demographic information, genetic variants, clinical manifestations, and imaging characteristics for further analysis. Results We included 105 Chinese PPRD patients in the current study. Thirty-three variants, including nine novels and five hotspot variants, were identified, with 26/33 (79%) variants exclusively seen in the Chinese population. Chinese PPRD patients share a phenotype similar to that in international reports. Joint involvement may progress with age ( R 2 = 0.2541). Long bone shortening and severe deformities occur in three patients with biallelic null variants, of which at least one variant is located in exon 2. Among hotspot variants, c.624dupA (p.C209Mfs*21) were associated with later onset and more involved joints. Elbow joints were more likely to be affected in patients carrying c.624dupA (p.C209Mfs*21) and c.866dupA (p.S209Efs*13). Shoulder joints are more likely to be involved in patients with biallelic null variants ( P = 0.027). Conclusions Chinese PPRD patients share a unique mutation spectrum. Among the five hotspot variants, c.624dupA is associated with later onset of disease, more extensive joint involvement, and a tendency to affect elbow joints. Biallelic null variants with at least one variant in exon 2 could be a likely cause of long bone shortening and severe deformities.
Background Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy has shown to improve height and body composition in children with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS), the evidence of early rhGH treatment on motor and mental development is still accumulating. This study explored the time effect on psychomotor development, anthropometric indexes, and safety for infants and young children with PWS. Methods A phase 3, single-arm, multicenter, self-controlled study was conducted in six sites. Patients received rhGH at 0.5 mg/m 2 /day for first four weeks, and 1 mg/m 2 /day thereafter for up to 52 weeks. Motor development was measured using Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-second edition, mental development using Griffiths Development Scales-Chinese (GDS-C). Height standard deviation score (SDS), body weight SDS, and body mass index (BMI) SDS were also assessed. Results Thirty-five patients were enrolled totally. Significant improvements were observed in height, body weight, and BMI SDS at week 52; GDS-C score showed significant improvement in general quotient (GQ) and sub-quotients. In a linear regression analysis, total motor quotient (TMQ), gross motor quotient (GMQ), and fine motor quotient were negatively correlated with age; however, treatment may attenuate deterioration of TMQ and GMQ. Changes in GQ and locomotor sub-quotient in < 9-month group were significantly higher than ≥ 9-month group. Mild to moderate severity adverse drug reactions were reported in six patients. Conclusion Fifty-two-week treatment with rhGH improved growth, BMI, mental development, and lessened the deterioration of motor function in infants and young children with PWS. Improved mental development was more pronounced when instituted in patients < 9 months old.
Abstract Background This study aimed to explore the clinical features of gout in adult patients with glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSD Ia). Methods Ninety-five adult patients with GSD Ia admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively analysed. A clinical diagnosis of GSD Ia was confirmed in all patients through gene sequencing. All patients had hyperuricaemia; 31 patients complicated with gout were enrolled, and 64 adult GSD Ia patients with asymptomatic hyperuricaemia were selected as a control group during the same period. Clinical characteristics were analysed and compared between the two groups. Results Thirty-one of the 95 patients had complications of gout (median age, 25 years; 11 (35.5%) females). All 31 patients had hepatomegaly, abnormal liver function, fasting hypoglycaemia, hyperuricaemia, hyperlipaemia, and hyperlacticaemia. A protuberant abdomen, growth retardation, recurrent epistaxis, and diarrhoea were the most common clinical manifestations. Among these 31 patients, 10 patients (32.3%) had gout as the presenting manifestation and were diagnosed with GSD Ia at a median time of 5 years (range, 1–14) after the first gout flare. The median age of gout onset was 18 years (range, 10–29). Fifteen of the 31 GSD Ia-related gout patients were complicated with gouty tophi, which has an average incidence time of 2 years after the first gouty flare. The mean value of the maximum serum uric acid (SUA) was 800.5 μmol/L (range, 468–1068). The incidence of gout in adult GSD Ia patients was significantly associated with the initial age of regular treatment with raw corn starch, the proportion of urate-lowering therapy initiated during the asymptomatic hyperuricaemic stage, maximum SUA level, and mean cholesterol level. Conclusions Determination of GSD Ia should be performed for young-onset gout patients with an early occurrence of gouty tophi, especially in patients with hepatomegaly, recurrent hypoglycaemia, or growth retardation. Early detection and long-term regulatory management of hyperuricaemia, in addition to early raw corn starch and lifestyle intervention, should be emphasized for GSD Ia patients in order to maintain good metabolic control. Trial registration Retrospectively registered.