A novel JAG1 frameshift variant causing Alagille syndrome with incomplete penetrance

Alagille syndrome: an orphan disease in Colombia and summary of recent advances in treatment and survival - a case report

Alagille syndrome has been described as a multisystemic clinical spectrum caused by an autosomal dominant genetic disorder. Although it is estimated that there is 1 case per 100 000 live births, the prognosis for survival and quality of life for these patients is varied but tends to be negative. In Colombia, this condition is considered an orphan disease with difficult management due to the lack of specialized centers that have all the medical specialties and subspecialties. Some reports state that no more than 30 cases have been published in this country.

Materials and methods

The authors report a case of a male baby who, at 8 days old, he was taken to the general practitioner's outpatient clinic for persistent jaundice. At 3 months of age, he was reviewed by the pediatric gastroenterology department, which requested liver and biliary tract scintigraphy, showing atresia of the biliary tract, hepatomegaly, and the absence of a gallbladder.

Results

Liver transplantation is the definitive solution. However, in low- and middle-income countries, where there are no well-established organ transplantation programs, the prognosis for these patients is presumed to be worse.

Conclusion

Alagille syndrome is a rare disease that requires an accurate and early diagnosis and timely multidisciplinary management to reduce the impact of multisystemic complications. It is necessary to advance in transplant programs in low- and middle-income countries, to provide a solution to cases where there are no other therapeutic alternatives, and to contribute to the quality of life of the affected patient.

Pediatric acute viral hepatitis with atypical variants: Clinical dilemmas and natural history

Classical acute viral hepatitis (AVH) has an uncomplicated outcome. Acute liver failure has a grave prognosis. Atypical manifestations of AVH are a group of disorders that causes significant morbidity and dilemmas in children. These include prolonged cholestasis, relapsing hepatitis, ascitic form of AVH, late-onset hepatic failure (LOHF), intravascular hemolysis, and provoking an autoimmune trigger leading to autoimmune hepatitis. These entities cause significant liver dysfunction or worsening and are often difficult to differentiate from chronic liver disease (CLD). Ascitic form of AVH, LOHF, decompensated CLD and acute-on-chronic liver failure have significant overlapping features that need to be carefully dissected out. In many cases, only on long-term follow-up, these clinical entities can be separately identified. Intravascular hemolysis is usually caused by associated glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Rarely CLD such as Wilson disease and autoimmune hepatitis can also present with hemolysis in the initial presentation, which can mimic AVH with hemolysis. Identifying deviations from typical manifestations aid in avoiding unnecessary investigations, allowing focused therapy and alleviating anxiety.