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Intellectual disability (ID) is a complex and phenotypically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significant deficits in cognitive and adaptive skills, debuting during the developmental period. In the last decade, microarray-based copy number variation (CNV) analysis has been proved as a strategy particularly useful in the discovery of loci and candidate genes associated with these phenotypes and is widely used in the clinics with a diagnostic purpose. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of two genome-wide high density SNP microarrays -Cytogenetics Whole-Genome 2.7M SNP array (n=126 patients; Group 1) and CytoScan High-Density SNP array (n=447 patients; Group 2)- in the detection of clinically relevant CNVs in a cohort of ID patients from Galicia (NW Spain). In 159 (27.7%) patients, we detected 186 rare exonic chromosomal imbalances, that were grouped into the following classes: Clinically relevant (67/186; 36.0%), of unknown clinical significance (93/186; 50.0%) and benign (26/186; 14.0%). The 67 pathogenic CNVs were identified in 64 patients, which means an overall diagnostic yield of 11.2%. Overall, we confirmed that ID is a genetically heterogeneous condition and emphasized the importance of using genome-wide high density SNP microarrays in the detection of its genetic causes. Additionally, we provided clinical and molecular data of patients with pathogenic or likely pathogenic CNVs and discussed the potential implication in neurodevelopmental disorders of genes located within these variants.

The few proximal 4q chromosomal aberrations identified in patients with neurodevelopmental phenotypes that have been published to date are variable in type, size and breakpoints and, therefore, encompass different chromosome bands and genes, making the establishment of genotype-phenotype correlations a challenging task. Here, microarray-based copy number analysis allowed us the detection of two novel and partially overlapping deletions in two unrelated families. In Family 1, a 4q13.1-q13.2 deletion of 3.84 Mb was identified in a mother with mild intellectual disability and in her two children, both with mild intellectual disability and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In Family 2, a de novo 4q13.2-q13.3 deletion of 6.81 Mb was detected in a female patient, born to unaffected parents, with a diagnosis of mild intellectual disability, behavioral disorder and facial dysmorphism. The shortest region of overlap between these two aberrations is located at chromosome 4q13.2 and includes 17 genes amongst of which we suggest UBA6 (ubiquitin-like modifier-activating enzyme 6) as a strong candidate gene for these phenotypes.

There is evidence that children with mitochondrial diseases tend to have short stature, but the growth of these patients has not been assessed in detail. We calculated the standard deviation (SD) of height, weight and body mass index (BMI) of 58 children and adolescents between the ages of 1.5 months and 18 years with a proven diagnosis of mitochondrial diseases. Overall, 31.03% of recorded heights, 29.31% of weights and 39.65% of BMIs were more than 2SD below the mean. In the group of children with encephalomyopathic forms of mitochondrial diseases, 34.09% of heights and weights, and 43.18% of BMIs were more than 2SD below the mean, while in the group with myopathic forms 21.42% of weights, 14.28% of heights and 28.57% of BMIs were more than 2SD below the mean. These results suggest that mitochondrial diseases are an important cause of short stature and of reduction in BMI in children and adolescents, particularly the encephalomyopathic forms.

The 8q21.11 microdeletion syndrome (OMIM # 614230) has been recently described and is primarily characterized by intellectual disability and facial dysmorphism. We describe here a male patient of 9 years 9 months of age with moderate intellectual disability and dysmorphic facial features. A high resolution copy number variation analysis, performed with the Affymetrix Cytogenetics Whole-Genome 2.7 M SNP array, allowed the identification of a heterozygous 7.069 Mb microdeletion at chromosome 8q21.11–q21.13. Clinical comparison of our patient with literature shows many similarities. However, the whole facial appearance of our patient, especially the elongated rather than rounded face and the absence of a wide nasal bridge and epicanthal folds, confers him a phenotype similar only to a subset, but not to the majority, of the hitherto described patients. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) is an active and specific thyroid hormone transporter into neurons. MCT8 mutations cause an X-linked condition known as Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome and are characterized by impaired psychomotor development and typical abnormal thyroid function. We describe a 10-year-old boy with severe cognitive disability, axial hypotonia, spastic quadriplegia and sporadic dyskinetic episodes. He initially presented with thyroid dysfunction (high FT3, low rT3, low FT4 and normal TSH) and generalized retardation of the cerebral and cerebellar myelination in brain magnetic resonance imaging. The clinical and laboratory findings led to sequencing of the SLC16A2/MCT8 gene, which identified a novel missense mutation in exon 5. The study of peripheral markers of thyroid function suggests a paradoxical state of thyrotoxicosis in some peripheral tissues. Our patient had a typical clinical presentation at birth but because of the rarity of his disease his diagnosis was not made until the age of 7. The delay can also be explained by the omission of the free T3 assay in the first thyroid evaluation performed. This case therefore highlights the possible benefit of including the T3 assay in the study of patients with severe psychomotor disability of unknown etiology, thus eliminating extra costs for unnecessary complementary diagnostic tests.

Patients with Glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA-1) can be identified by newborn screening using tandem mass spectrometry. The clinical evolution of screened patients seems to be more favourable compared with those diagnosed later, although long-term evolution is still doubtful. We have evaluated the outcome in nine GA-1 patients diagnosed in our region during 12 years. Six were detected by newborn screening and 3 clinically. The birth prevalence was 1:35,027. High blood C5DC concentration, in 8/9 patients, was found, whereas all patients exhibited high concentration of this metabolite in urine. Therefore, urine C5DC was a good marker for the detection of this disease. Eight different mutations in the GCDH gene were identified, four of them were novel (p.R88H, p.Y398C, p.R372K, p.D220N); being p.R227P the mostcommon. Macrocephaly with enlarged frontotemporal subarachnoid space was present in 4/6 patients diagnosed by newborn screening, all these patients required high energy intake, and in two cases, enteral feeding during the first year of life was needed. One child had an intercurrent episode of feeding refuse with hypoglycemia at two years of age. The mean follow-up time of screened patients was 56 months, and patients still remain asymptomatic. However, after a mean follow-up of 97 months treatment efficacy was poor in unscreened patients, two of them showing a severe spastic tetraparesis. Plasma levels of lysine, tryptophan and carnitine, were the most useful biomarkers for the follow-up. Our data support that, early diagnosis and treatment strategies are essential measures for the good clinical evolution of GA-1 patients.

Hashimoto encephalopathy is a steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with elevated blood concentrations of antithyroid antibodies. The patients are usually euthyroid or mildly hypothyroid. The clinical picture is pleomorphic, presenting with variable symptoms ranging from behavioral and cognitive changes, myoclonus, seizures, pyramidal tract dysfunction, involuntary movements, and cerebellar signs to psychosis and coma, with relapsing and progressive course. The diagnosis is often overlooked at presentation but is crucial, given that this is a treatable disease. Described here, with a literature review, is the youngest patient reported to date with Hashimoto encephalopathy.

Choline kinase beta gene ( CHKB ) mutations have been identified in Megaconial Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (MDCMC) patients, a very rare inborn error of metabolism with 21 cases reported worldwide. We report the case of a Spanish boy of Caucasian origin who presented a generalized congenital muscular hypotonia, more intense at lower limb muscles, mildly elevated creatine kinase (CK), serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and lactate. Electromyography (EMG) showed neurogenic potentials in the proximal muscles. Histological studies of a muscle biopsy showed neurogenic atrophy with enlarged mitochondria in the periphery of the fibers, and complex I deficiency. Finally, genetic analysis showed the presence of a homozygous mutation in the gene for choline kinase beta ( CHKB : NM_005198.4:c.810T>A, p.Tyr270 ∗ ). We describe here the second Spanish patient whit mutation in CHKB gene, who despite having the same mutation, presented an atypical aspect: congenital neurogenic muscular atrophy progressing to a combined neuropathic and myopathic phenotype (mixed pattern).

Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome is an inflammatory disease occurring due to mutations in any of TREX1, RNASEH2A, RNASEH2B, RNASEH2C, SAMHD1, ADAR or IFIH1. We report on 374 patients from 299 families with mutations in these seven genes. Most patients conformed to one of two fairly stereotyped clinical profiles; either exhibiting an in utero disease-onset (74 patients; 22.8% of all patients where data were available), or a post-natal presentation, usually within the first year of life (223 patients; 68.6%), characterized by a sub-acute encephalopathy and a loss of previously acquired skills. Other clinically distinct phenotypes were also observed; particularly, bilateral striatal necrosis (13 patients; 3.6%) and non-syndromic spastic paraparesis (12 patients; 3.4%). We recorded 69 deaths (19.3% of patients with follow-up data). Of 285 patients for whom data were available, 210 (73.7%) were profoundly disabled, with no useful motor, speech and intellectual function. Chilblains, glaucoma, hypothyroidism, cardiomyopathy, intracerebral vasculitis, peripheral neuropathy, bowel inflammation and systemic lupus erythematosus were seen frequently enough to be confirmed as real associations with the Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome phenotype. We observed a robust relationship between mutations in all seven genes with increased type I interferon activity in cerebrospinal fluid and serum, and the increased expression of interferon-stimulated gene transcripts in peripheral blood. We recorded a positive correlation between the level of cerebrospinal fluid interferon activity assayed within one year of disease presentation and the degree of subsequent disability. Interferon-stimulated gene transcripts remained high in most patients, indicating an ongoing disease process. On the basis of substantial morbidity and mortality, our data highlight the urgent need to define coherent treatment strategies for the phenotypes associated with mutations in the Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome-related genes. Our findings also make it clear that a window of therapeutic opportunity exists relevant to the majority of affected patients and indicate that the assessment of type I interferon activity might serve as a useful biomarker in future clinical trials. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Five females with mitochondrial encephalomyopathies were treated for 3 to 7 years with a xanthine oxidase inhibitor (allopurinol, oral route, 20 mg/kg/day, in 2 or 3 doses daily). Clinical course was monitored in all patients. In addition, various metabolic variables, namely blood lactic acid, blood adenosine triphosphate, adenosine diphosphate, and adenosine monophosphate were monitored, as well as energy charge. Data obtained were compared with data for an age-matched control group of 10 healthy children. Four of the five patients manifested clinical improvement, and the remaining patient exhibited slower disease progression. Three of the four patients who exhibited clinical improvement also had normalization of blood lactic acid level. All five patients had an increase in blood adenosine triphosphate levels and a decline in blood adenosine monophosphate; four of the five manifested a decline in blood adenosine diphosphate and increased energy charge. Mean blood adenosine triphosphate was significantly increased with respect to pretreatment levels and with respect to the control group; mean energy charge displayed an increase, though this was not statistically significant. In one patient, reduction of the allopurinol dose to 10 mg/kg/day was followed by a decline in both blood adenosine triphosphate level and energy charge, and by clinical worsening. In conclusion, the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol appears to have had beneficial effects in these patients in terms of both energy metabolism and clinical course.

The concentration levels of serum lipids and lipoprotein (a) were measured in 20 children receiving carbamazepine, 25 children receiving valproic acid, and 5 children receiving phenobarbital at the following times: (1) during chronic treatment while eating a normal diet, (2) during chronic treatment while eating a low-fat diet (children treated with carbamazepine and phenobarbital with high levels of total choleserol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and (3) 3 months after the end of treatment with antiepileptic drugs. Patients during chronic treatment and eating a normal diet revealed significant changes in lipids, but when we reevaluated the groups of children treated with carbamazepine and phenobarbital when they were eating a low-fat diet and reevaluated the three groups of children 3 months after the end of treatment, a complete return to normal of all parameters was observed. These data demonstrate that the changes induced by these drugs are transient, reversible, and influenced by a low-fat diet. ( J Child Neurol 2006;21:48—53).

Los síncopes son episodios frecuentes en la adolescencia.Aunque habitualmente son de naturaleza benigna y autolimitada, pueden ser la manifestación de un proceso grave que debe ser diagnosticado y tratado de forma adecuada.En este artículo se realiza una revisión de los fundamentos para el diagnóstico diferencial del síncope en el adolescente y se establecen las bases para su tratamiento. : Syncopal episodes are frequent in adolescence. Syncope is usually a benign, self-limiting condition but it may be a warning sign of serious disease that must be diagnosed and appropriately treated. The present article provides a review of the basic principles of the differential diagnosis of syncope in the adolescent patient and treatment recommendations.

Introducción: El síndrome de Aicardi-Goutières es una enfermedad neurodegenerativa de herencia autosómica recesiva, que se caracteriza por presentar encefalopatía grave y progresiva de inicio precoz, microcefalia evolutiva, disfunción piramidal-extrapiramidal, calcificaciones intracraneales especialmente a nivel de ganglios basales, afectación de la sustancia blanca, linfocitosis y elevación del interferon alfa (IFN-α) en líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) y en sangre. Casuística: Aportamos dos nuevas observaciones (un niño de 3 meses de edad y una niña de 11 meses) con clínica de hipotonía, microcefalia, retraso psicomotor, signos piramidales y extrapiramidales en la niña. Se demostró calcificaciones intracraneales, linfocitosis en LCR en el niño, y en ambos elevación del IFN-α en sangre y LCR. Comentarios: Es importante tener presente esta entidad a pesar de su relativa rareza, ante un paciente con afectación del desarrollo psicomotor, microcefalia y presencia de calcificaciones intracraneales, debido a las distintas consideraciones de cara al consejo genético que tiene con respecto a otras entidades más prevalentes y fácilmente confundibles, como las infecciones TORCH (toxoplasmosis, rubéola, citomegalovirus, herpes). : Introduction: Aicardi-Goutières syndrome is an early onset autosomal recessive progressive encephalopathy, clinically characterized by acquired microcephaly, severe psychomotor delay and involvement of pyramidal and extrapyramidal tracts. Intracranial calcifications, especially at the level of the basal ganglia, white matter abnormalities, lymphocytosis and raised interferon (IFN)-α in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) form part of this syndrome. Cases reports: We describe two unrelated infants (a 3-month-old boy and an 11-month-old girl) who both presented with hypotonia, microcephaly, and psychomotor delay. Mild choreic and dystonic movements, as well as progressive spasticity, were also observed in the girl. Extensive investigations revealed intracranial calcifications, mild CSF lymphocytosis in the boy, and raised IFN-α in blood and CSF in both patients. Comments: Aicardi-Goutières syndrome should be kept in mind when investigating microcephalic and retarded patients with cerebral calcifications initially suggestive of TORCH infection. Appropriate genetic counseling should be provided.

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome is an uncommon neurocutaneous disorder characterized by distinctive vascular malformations on the body surface. Vascular malformations of internal organs (typically the gastrointestinal tract) are also frequently present. However, malformations of the central nervous system have only rarely been described. We report a case of blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome in a 5-month-old boy with cutaneous manifestations characteristic of this process present from birth and multiple cerebral angiomas detected by magnetic resonance imaging. At age 1½ months, the patient showed myoclonic seizures and complex partial seizures that were refractory to various antiepileptic regimens. At age 5 months, electroencephalograms (EEGs) showed continuous generalized slow spike-waves, predominantly in the right temporal region; however, EEGs normalized after induction of coma with intravenous midazolam. At age 13 months, the patient suffered from occasional seizures and slightly retarded psychomotor development. Epilepsy is rare in this syndrome but as in other neurocutaneous syndromes (eg, Sturge-Weber syndrome) can compromise psychomotor development; thus, every effort should be made to control seizures. (J Child Neurol 2002;17:219-222).

To evaluate the influence of some risk factors on the incidence rate of Lyme disease and the main clinical manifestations.A retrospective study of Lyme disease (2006-2013) was performed in north-west Spain; we included only patients who fulfilled the epidemiological surveillance criteria defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The incidence rate varied between 2.64 and 11.61/100,000 inhabitants/year. Significant differences were found in relation to habitat, age and area of residence. Patients showed neurological (67.59%), dermatological (47.22%), rheumatological (15.74%) and cardiac (13.88%) manifestations, alone or combined.Due to the increase of the disease in north-west Spain and the differences observed between the different areas, epidemiological studies are needed that increase the index of diagnostic suspicion and lead to the implementation of effective prevention measures.

We detail here the clinical description and the family genetic study of a male patient with global developmental delay, disruptive and obsessive behaviors and minor dysmorphic features and a combination of two rare genetic variants: a maternally inherited 16p13.11-p12.3 duplication and a de novo 12p12.1 deletion affecting SOX5. The 16p13.11 microduplication has been implicated in several neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders and is characterized by variable expressivity and incomplete penetrance. The causes of this variation in phenotypic expression are not fully clear, representing a challenge in genetic diagnosis and counseling. However, several authors have proposed the two-hit model as one of the underlying mechanisms for this phenotypic heterogeneity. Our data could also support this two-hit model in which the 16p13.11-p12.3 duplication might contribute to the phenotype, not only as a single event but also in association with the SOX5 deletion. The SOX5 gene plays important roles in various developmental processes and has been associated with several neurodevelopmental disorders, mainly intellectual disability, developmental delay and language and/or speech delay as well as with behavior problems and dysmorphic features. However, many of the physical features and behavioral manifestations as well as language deficiencies present in our patient are consistent with those previously reported for SOX5 deletions. Patients carrying multiple genomic variants, as the one presented here, illustrate the difficulty in analyzing genotypes when the contribution of each variant results in overlapping phenotypes and/or, alternatively, in the modification of the clinical manifestations defined by the coexisting variant.

Background Choline kinase beta gene (CHKB) mutations have been identified in Megaconial Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (MDCMC) patients, but never in patients with an additional combined deficiency of complexes I, III and IV and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion. Aims To report mutations in carry genes for MDCMC with respiratory chain defects and mtDNA depletion. Methods Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was used to identify the carry genes in a Spanish child with muscle weakness, mild hypotonia at lower limb muscles, mildly elevated creatine kinase (CK), enlarged mitochondria in the periphery of the fibers, combined deficiency of complex I, III and IV and depletion of mtDNA. Results With WES data, it was possible to get the whole mtDNA sequencing and discard any pathogenic variant in this genome. The first filter of WES data with the nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes (MitoCarta) did not get any candidate. However, the analysis of whole exome uncovered a homozygous nonsense pathogenic mutation in CHKB gene (NM_005198.4:c.810T>A, p.Tyr270*). Conclusions Our data confirm the role of CHKB in MDCMC and point to this gene as unique candidate for the combined deficiency of respiratory chain and mtDNA depletion observed in this patient.

We report the case of a fetus aborted at gestation week 20 because of hydranencephalic-hydrocephalic syndrome. The fetus was the third pregnancy of a nonconsanguineous couple whose first child exhibited congenital hydranencephalic-hydrocephalic syndrome associated with muscle histology findings consistent with mitochondrial cytopathy and deficiency of complexes III and IV of the respiratory chain and whose second pregnancy had terminated in an elective abortion on detection of progressive hydrocephalus at gestation week 19. The third pregnancy had a normal course according to obstetric and ultrasonography examinations performed at gestation weeks 5, 10, and 15, and negative results were obtained in standard serologic and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for prenatal infections of the mother. However, the ultrasonography examination at gestation week 18 revealed hydrocephalus, in response to which the parents requested an abortion, which was performed at gestation week 20; the fetus was male and with no evident external malformations. Histopathologic studies of the brain and medulla oblongata revealed proliferative vasculopathy (glomeruloid vessels, intracytoplasmic inclusions, and microcalcifications) and intracytoplasmic inclusions in the voluntary muscle. Microbiologic and PCR tests of hepatic and spleen tissue were negative for prenatal infections. In view of the precedent of a sister with mitochondrial dysfunction, these findings raise the possibility that at least some cases of familial syndrome of congenital hydranencephalic-hydrocephalic syndrome with proliferative vasculopathy can be attributed to alterations in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. ( J Child Neurol 2001;16:858—862).

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of long-term carbamazepine (CBZ), valproic acid (VPA) and phenobarbital (PB) treatment on serum lipids and apolipoproteins in epileptic children. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) and triglycerides (TGs) were measured and the LDL-C/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C ratios were calculated in 320 children and adolescents (129 receiving CBZ, 127 receiving VPA and 64 receiving PB) suffering from various types of epilepsy. Additionally, in a subgroup of 181 children (68 CBZ; 78 VPA; 35 PB) apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), apolipoprotein B (apoB), HDL2-C and HDL3-C were measured and apoA-I/apoB and HDL2-C/HDL3-C ratios were calculated. Results of the measurements were compared with those of 169 age-and sex-matched healthy controls. None of the variables considered was significantly correlated with time elapsed since start of treatment or with drug concentration in serum. TC and LDL-C serum levels were high in children receiving CBZ or PB and low in those treated with VPA. Serum LDL-C level exceeded 130 mg/dl in 27.9% of CBZ-group, 31.8% of the subjects receiving PB, but only in 7% of those receiving VPA and in 11.8% of control group subjects. CBZ-treated children also showed high HDL-C and HDL3-C values. In the group receiving VPA, HDL2-C, HDL2-C/HDL3-C ratio and apo B were significantly lower than in the control group. Mean apoA-I levels were low in all treated groups: by contrast, in neither group did TGs, VLDL-C levels and TC/HDL-C or LDL-C/HDL-C ratios differ significantly from the corresponding control group. Our results suggest that the effects of long-term AED therapy on lipid profile and, particularly, on apolipoprotein serum levels increase risk of atherosclerosis-related disease. Moreover, these results confirm our previously reported increased risk in CBZ and PB-treated patients.

Juvenile xanthogranuloma is a form of histiocytic proliferative disorder that usually affects the skin and tends to occur during infancy. On rare occasions, it has been reported at extracutaneous sites and in other age groups. Isolated juvenile xanthogranuloma of the nervous system is extremely rare, especially in the cauda equina. A case of juvenile xanthogranuloma of the cauda equina in a 14-year-old boy is reported, and the literature is reviewed.

We report the case of a 3-year-old girl, the only child of a nonconsanguineous couple without relevant antecedents, who was born with hydranencephalic-hydrocephalic syndrome diagnosed by ultrasonography at gestation week 28, and who was treated during the neonatal period by implantation of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. She showed severe mental retardation, and died at age 4 years following an acute respiratory infection. Due to persistently high lactic acid levels in blood, muscle and skin biopsies were taken. Analysis of muscle biopsies revealed microscopic and ultrastructural alterations typical of mitochondrial disorders, and low levels of complexes III and IV of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The enzymes of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex showed normal activities in cultured skin fibroblasts. These findings raise the possibility that at least some cases of congenital hydranencephalic-hydrocephalic syndrome may be due to alterations in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. (J Child Neurol 1999; 14: 131-135).

We studied 10 patients with a variable degree of mtDNA depletion in muscle. Seven patients showed a clear-cut myopathic pattern, while the three remaining had brain involvement. There was no relationship between age at onset and relative mtDNA copy number in muscle, but we found an apparent correlation between clinical severity and degree of muscle mtDNA depletion. Muscle morphology showed that mtDNA depletion was associated with mitochondrial proliferation and cytochrome c oxidase negative fibers. Biochemical studies revealed single or combined defects of mtDNA-dependent respiratory chain complexes. Our data indicate that patients with mtDNA depletion may have a more variable age at onset and clinical evolution and wider phenotype than previously thought. The diagnosis of this condition, so far regarded as rare, may have been overlooked to some extent.

Serum levels of free, acyl, and total carnitine were determined in 32 patients with seizures, before and after 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment with valproic acid (17 patients), carbamazepine (10 patients), or phenobarbital (5 patients). In all three treated groups, both free and total carnitine levels showed a significant decline with respect to pretreatment levels. This decline was most marked and most consistent in patients treated with valproic acid. In 35% of the patients in this group, carnitine deficiency (ie, total camitine < 30 μmol/L) was observed by month 12. In none of the three groups were serum carnitine levels significantly correlated with the serum concentration of the drug. These findings suggest a need to monitor serum carnitine levels in children treated with any of these drugs. (J Child Neurol 1998;13:546-549).

Introducción: La presentación de convulsiones benignas durante una gastroenteritis leve sin deshidratación ni fiebre es una asociación descrita con relativa frecuencia en Asia. Sin embargo, son escasas las referencias al tema fuera de dicho continente. Se trata de un proceso benigno que no implica un mayor riesgo de epilepsia ni de deterioro neuropsíquico. Casos clínicos: Se describe el caso de dos niñas ingresadas en nuestro departamento en el último año por presentar convulsiones durante una gastroenteritis leve. En ambos casos las crisis fueron autolimitadas y la evolución benigna. Conclusiones: Esta entidad no se presenta exclusivamente en Asia y es probable que sea más frecuente en nuestro medio de lo que se ha comunicado. Es importante tenerla presente ante un paciente con gastroenteritis y crisis convulsivas con el fin de evitar un tratamiento antiepiléptico agresivo y/o prolongado. : Introduction: The occurrence of benign seizures in association with viral gastroenteritis without dehydration or fever is well recognized in Asia, but it is virtually unknown in other parts of the world. This is a benign process that does not lead to a greater risk of epilepsy or developmental deterioration. Case reports: We describe two infants who were admitted to our department over a 1-year period with acute convulsions and mild gastroenteritis. The seizures were brief and did not recur after the first day. In both cases the outcome was excellent. Conclusions: This entity does not appear exclusively in Asia and its frequency may have been underestimated in Spain. This diagnosis should be borne in mind in patients with gastroenteritis and seizures to avoid intensive and/or prolonged antiepileptic treatment.

RNA exosomes are multi-subunit complexes conserved throughout evolution and are emerging as the major cellular machinery for processing, surveillance and turnover of a diverse spectrum of coding and noncoding RNA substrates essential for viability. By exome sequencing, we discovered recessive mutations in EXOSC3 (encoding exosome component 3) in four siblings with infantile spinal motor neuron disease, cerebellar atrophy, progressive microcephaly and profound global developmental delay, consistent with pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 1 (PCH1; MIM 607596). We identified mutations in EXOSC3 in an additional 8 of 12 families with PCH1. Morpholino knockdown of exosc3 in zebrafish embryos caused embryonic maldevelopment, resulting in small brain size and poor motility, reminiscent of human clinical features, and these defects were largely rescued by co-injection with wild-type but not mutant exosc3 mRNA. These findings represent the first example of an RNA exosome core component gene that is responsible for a human disease and further implicate dysregulation of RNA processing in cerebellar and spinal motor neuron maldevelopment and degeneration.

The spectrum of the adenosine monophosphate (AMP) deaminase deficiency ranges from asymptomatic carriers to patients who manifest exercise-induced muscle pain, occasionally rhabdomyolysis, and idiopathic hyperCKemia. However, previous to the introduction of molecular techniques, rare cases with congenital weakness and hypotonia have also been reported. We report a 6-month-old girl with the association of congenital muscle weakness and hypotonia, muscle deficiency of adenosine monophosphate deaminase, and the homozygous C to T mutation at nucleotide 34 of the adenosine monophosphate deaminase-1 gene. This observation indicates the possible existence of a primary adenosine monophosphate deaminase deficiency manifested by congenital muscle weakness and hypotonia.

Background There are several known autosomal genes responsible for Ras/MAPK pathway syndromes, including Noonan syndrome (NS) and related disorders (such as LEOPARD, neurofibromatosis type 1), although mutations of these genes do not explain all cases. Due to the important role played by the mitochondrion in the energetic metabolism of cardiac muscle, it was recently proposed that variation in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genome could be a risk factor in the Noonan phenotype and in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which is a common clinical feature in Ras/MAPK pathway syndromes. In order to test these hypotheses, we sequenced entire mtDNA genomes in the largest series of patients suffering from Ras/MAPK pathway syndromes analyzed to date (n = 45), most of them classified as NS patients (n = 42). Methods/Principal Findings The results indicate that the observed mtDNA lineages were mostly of European ancestry, reproducing in a nutshell the expected haplogroup (hg) patterns of a typical Iberian dataset (including hgs H, T, J, and U). Three new branches of the mtDNA phylogeny (H1j1, U5b1e, and L2a5) are described for the first time, but none of these are likely to be related to NS or Ras/MAPK pathway syndromes when observed under an evolutionary perspective. Patterns of variation in tRNA and protein genes, as well as redundant, private and heteroplasmic variants, in the mtDNA genomes of patients were as expected when compared with the patterns inferred from a worldwide mtDNA phylogeny based on more than 8700 entire genomes. Moreover, most of the mtDNA variants found in patients had already been reported in healthy individuals and constitute common polymorphisms in human population groups. Conclusions/Significance As a whole, the observed mtDNA genome variation in the NS patients was difficult to reconcile with previous findings that indicated a pathogenic role of mtDNA variants in NS. This research received support from two grants from the Fundación de Investigación Médica Mutua Madrileña, and a grant from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (SAF2008-02971), given to AS SI

We determined the serum concentration of biotin, zinc, antiepileptic drugs, and biotinidase enzyme activity in 20 children treated with valproic acid, in 10 children treated with carbamazepine, and in 75 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. There were no significant differences in the serum levels of biotin, and biotinidase enzyme activity between the patients treated with valproic acid, the patients treated with carbamazepine, and the control group. Zinc serum levels were lower in the patients treated with valproic acid and with carbamazepine than in the control group, but within the normal range. Hair loss was observed in 3 patients treated with valproic acid, with normal serum levels of biotin, zinc, and biotinidase activity, and the alopecia disappeared with the oral administration of biotin (10 mg/d) in 3 months. These results suggest that the treatment with valproic acid does not alter the serum levels of biotin, zinc, and biotinidase enzyme activity.

We report three unrelated patients with congenital facial nerve palsy and chromosome 22q11 deletion, a condition hitherto poorly recognized. In the first case, facial palsy was associated with aortic coarctation, ductus arteriosus, and ostium secundum atrial septal defect. In the second case, facial palsy was associated with ostium secundum atrial septal defect, obstruction of the ureteropelvic junction, double ureteropelvic-calicial system, and distal metaphyseal widening of the forearm and leg bones. In both cases, facial palsy was the presenting feature. In the third case, an ostium secundum atrial septal defect was also present, but involvement of cranial nerves III, VI, and VIII, in addition to hypoplastic structures of cerebellar and cerebral peduncles, were the predominant features. There were no inherited deletions within chromosome band 22q11 and the de novo deletions detected in each case belonged to the paternally derived chromosome 22. Association of facial nerve palsy and congenital heart disease versus cardiofacial syndrome are different only on clinical grounds, so both conditions can be genetically identical and form part of the spectrum of defects associated with chromosome 22q11 1 deletions. We recommend investigation for chromosome 22q11 deletions in patients with complete nerve facial palsy. (J Child Neurol 2001;16:450-452).

There is evidence that valproic acid causes a reduction of serum biotinidase enzyme activity. We determined the serum concentration of antiepileptic drugs, transaminases, γ-glutamyl transferase, ammonia, and biotinidase enzyme activity in 57 children treated with valproic acid, in 17 children treated with carbamazepine, and in 75 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. There were no significant differences in the serum biotinidase enzyme activity between the patients treated with valproic acid, the patients treated with carbamazepine, and the control group. Hyperammonemia was detected in 8 patients treated with valproic acid. Hair loss was observed in 3 female patients treated with valproic acid, and the alopecia disappeared with the oral administration of biotin (10 mg/ d) in 3 months. These results suggest that the treatment with valproic acid does not alter the serum biotinidase enzyme activity.

We report an infant with complex I deficiency of the mitochondrial respiratory chain whose most conspicuous symptom at presentation was an Ohtahara syndrome. Review of the literature suggest that association of these two conditions is extremely rare. Despite the few cases reported, in our view Ohtahara syndrome should be considered as one of the forms of presentation of mitochondrial dysfunction.

We investigated 55 children, aged from 24 months to 14 years with neurogenic bladder dysfunction secondary to myelomeningocele, by serial urodynamic. They were serially evaluation over 2-5 years. Management consisted of drug therapy together with intermittent vesical catheterization in different combinations on the basis of initial urodynamic assessment. In 5 children with a hypotonic sphincter, it was necessary to implant an artificial sphincter. With this regimen control or frank improvement of micturition was achieved in 53 patients, urodynamic function became normal or improved in 54, and recurrent urinary tract infections persisted only in 5 patients. In the light of these results, we believe that treatment of the neurogenic bladder secondary to myelomeningocele should be determined by initial urodynamic evaluation.

The demonstration that myostatin may negatively regulate muscle mass in adult individuals has raised the possibility of targeting the myostatin pathway to increase muscle growth in a variety of muscle-degenerative and -wasting conditions. To gain further insight into the possible role of myostatin in primary muscle diseases, the authors investigated the expression of muscle myostatin in children with congenital fiber type 1 disproportion, in others with neurogenic muscular atrophy, in others with myotonia congenita, in others with infantile glycogenosis type II, in others with Prader-Willi syndrome, and in 4 age-matched controls. No differences in the pattern of myostatin expression were found in any case, even in those patients with prominent muscular atrophy or hypertrophy. These findings suggest that muscle alterations that can be observed in primary muscle diseases do not depend on changes in myostatin expression.

The concentration levels of serum free thyroxine, serum free triiodothyronine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone were measured in 20 children receiving carbamazepine, 32 children receiving valproic acid, and 5 children receiving phenobarbital at the following times: (1) during chronic treatment, and (2) 3 months after the end of treatment with antiepileptic drugs. Patients during chronic treatment revealed significant changes in serum thyroid hormones, especially the children treated with carbamazepine and valproic acid. A number of children receiving long-term therapy with the two last antiepileptic drugs had varying grades of subclinical hypothyroidism. Three months after the end of treatment, a complete return to normal of all parameters was observed. These data demonstrate that the changes induced by these drugs are transient and reversible.

Introduccion. Los sindromes de microdelecion y microduplicacion 3q29 se caracterizan por una marcada heterogeneidad fenotipica, y el retraso del desarrollo y la discapacidad intelectual de grado leve-moderado son las manifestaciones clinicas mas frecuentes. Casos clinicos. Dos pacientes con aberraciones cromosomicas reciprocas en la region 3q29. La paciente con la microdelecion 3q29 presenta dificultades de aprendizaje, microcefalia limite, dismorfismo facial leve, deficit atencional e impulsividad, y rasgos ansiosos y obsesivos. El paciente con la microduplicacion 3q29 reciproca presenta dificultades de aprendizaje, dismorfismo facial leve y un perfil conductual disruptivo no asociado previamente con esta duplicacion. Conclusion. Se comparan los fenotipos de estos pacientes y se revisa la bibliografia de pacientes pediatricos con microdeleciones y microduplicaciones 3q29.

Incontinence is one of the major stigmata affecting the quality of life of the myelodysplastic patient. The appropriate management of the neuropathic bladder has led most patients to survive with good conditions. Major advances have also been made in the treatment of faecal incontinence for enabling patients to achieve their full potential, to become integrated in society and to be as independent as possible. We present the results of the Retrograde Colonic Enema (RCE) in 33 patients suffering neurogenic faecal incontinence. We believe that the RCE is one of the best conservative methods of treatment for relieving faecal incontinence originating from spina bifida and other neurological problems with intestinal dysfunction.

We report a case of neurogenic arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and velopharyngeal incompetence in association with a chromosome 22q11.2 deletion in a 5-month-old boy, the only child of a nonconsanguineous couple without relevant antecedents. Specifically, polymerase chain reaction amplification of microsatellite markers revealed a noninherited microdeletion in position D22S306. This phenotype has not been reported previously in association with chromosome 22q11.2 deletions, and these findings raise the possibility that at least some cases of neurogenic arthrogryposis multiplex congenita might be due to genetic defects of this type. ( J Child Neurol 2005;20:76—78).

Adenosine monophosphate, inosine monophosphate, inosine, adenosine, guanosine, adenine, guanine, hypoxanthine, xanthine and uric acid were determined in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 15 children after complex febrile seizures (CFS) and in 27 after simple febrile seizures (SFS), and compared with those in a control group of 63 children. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for any of these metabolites, suggesting that CFS and SFS neither significantly disturb the metabolism of nucleotides, nucleosides or bases nor significantly deplete neuron adenosine triphosphate levels.

To determine the effects of sepsis on cerebral energy metabolism, the cerebrospinal fluid adenosine monophosphate, inosine monophosphate, inosine, adenosine, guanosine, hypoxanthine, xanthine, and urate concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and the neuron-specific enolase levels by means of an enzyme immunoassay method in 32 children with sepsis, without meningitis, aged between 2 months and 13 years, and in 160 age-matched controls. The septic group had significantly higher cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of inosine, adenosine, xanthine, and urate than controls. These results suggest that sepsis could provoke some degree of neuronal hypoxia and significant alterations of cerebral energy metabolism homeostasis. (J Child Neurol 2001;16:704-706).

Summary: Purpose: Episodic loss of consciousness in children, whether or not associated with hypertonia or short-duration clonic movements, presents a diagnostic challenge to the pediatrician and child neurologist. We provide some evidence of the usefulness of the head-upright tilt test for investigating the causes of transient loss of consciousness in children, and for distinguishing between syncope, convulsive syncope, and epilepsy. Methods: We studied nine children previously diagnosed as epileptic on the basis of compatible clinical events and epileptiform findings in routine EEGs who were treated over the long term with antiepileptic drugs, but whose clinical records suggested syncope or convulsive syncope rather than epilepsy on reevaluation. All subjects underwent head-upright tilt testing. Results: The tilt-test result was positive in all nine cases, with the patients reporting the same symptoms as in the previously considered epileptic attacks. Conclusions: Inadequate histories and misuse/overinterpretation of EEG results often lead to misdiagnosis of epilepsy in children. The head-upright tilt test is a useful and reliable diagnostic technique, allowing syncopal events to be induced and evaluated under controlled conditions. In a subset of patients, it may help to distinguish epilepsy from simple or convulsive syncope.