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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Robert Taylor, Professor Bobby McFarlandORCiD
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FBXL4 deficiency is a recently described disorder of mitochondrial maintenance associated with a loss of mitochondrial DNA in cells. To date, the genetic diagnosis of FBXL4 deficiency has been established in 28 individuals. This paper retrospectively reviews proxy-reported clinical and biochemical findings and evaluates brain imaging, morphological and genetic data in 21 of those patients. Neonatal/early-onset severe lactic acidosis, muscular hypotonia, feeding problems and failure to thrive is the characteristic pattern at first presentation. Facial dysmorphic features are present in 67 % of cases. Seven children died (mean age 37 months); 11 children were alive (mean age at follow-up 46 months), three children were lost to follow-up. All survivors developed severe psychomotor retardation. Brain imaging was non-specific in neonates but a later-onset, rapidly progressive brain atrophy was noted. Elevated blood lactate and metabolic acidosis were observed in all individuals; creatine kinase was elevated in 45 % of measurements. Diagnostic workup in patient tissues and cells revealed a severe combined respiratory chain defect with a general decrease of enzymes associated with mitochondrial energy metabolism and a relative depletion of mitochondrial DNA content. Mutations were detected throughout the FBXL4 gene albeit with no clear delineation of a genotype-phenotype correlation. Treatment with "mitochondrial medications" did not prove effective. In conclusion, a clinical pattern of early-onset encephalopathy, persistent lactic acidosis, profound muscular hypotonia and typical facial dysmorphism should prompt initiation of molecular genetic analysis of FBXL4. Establishment of the diagnosis permits genetic counselling, prevents patients undergoing unhelpful diagnostic procedures and allows for accurate prognosis.
Author(s): Huemer M, Karall D, Schossig A, Abdenur JE, Al Jasmi F, Biagosch C, Distelmaier F, Freisinger P, Graham BH, Haack TB, Hauser N, Hertecant J, Ebrahimi-Fakhari D, Konstantopoulou V, Leydiker K, Lourenco CM, Scholl-Burgi S, Wilichowski E, Wolf NI, Wortmann SB, Taylor RW, Mayr JA, Bonnen PE, Sperl W, Prokisch H, McFarland R
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease
Year: 2015
Volume: 38
Issue: 5
Pages: 905-914
Print publication date: 01/09/2015
Online publication date: 14/04/2015
Acceptance date: 09/03/2015
ISSN (print): 0141-8955
ISSN (electronic): 1573-2665
Publisher: Springer
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10545-015-9836-6
DOI: 10.1007/s10545-015-9836-6
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