Epidermolysis bullosa and congenital pyloric atresia

Congenital pyloric atresia associated with epidermolysis bullosa junctionalis: a novel lethal variant

A term male baby was born vaginally to a primi mother. An antenatal ultrasound revealed polyhydramnios and a distended stomach in the baby. At birth, the baby had well-defined areas of peeling skin on the face and blisters on the forearm region. The abdominal X-ray revealed a single gastric bubble, which is consistent with pyloric atresia and needs surgery. Pyloroplasty was initially performed, but it was unsuccessful. Therefore, a feeding jejunostomy and gastrostomy were performed. However, the baby developed sepsis and septic shock and died at about 2 months of age. Skin biopsy revealed cleavage above the lamina densa, and genetic analysis indicated heterozygosity in ITGB4 exons 10 and 16, which are associated with epidermolysis bullosa junctionalis and pyloric atresia.

Case report: A case of epidermolysis bullosa complicated with pyloric atresia and a literature review

Objective

This article aims to explore the diagnosis, molecular characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of epidermolysis bullosa with pyloric atresia (EB-PA).

Methods

The clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment, and genetic characteristics of a patient with EB-PA admitted to our hospital were analysed. The disease subtypes, concomitant abnormalities, molecular characteristics, and prognosis of patients with EB-PA were summarized by searching the EB-PA-related literature since 2011.

Results

We present a very low birth weight female infant with skin blisters and pyloric obstruction. Exome sequencing revealed heterozygous mutations in the ITGB4 gene: c.794dupC (p. S265fs*5) and c.2962G > A (p.A988T). This infant was diagnosed with EB-PA. Coverage of the wounds and Penicillin were used to prevent infection, but the patient eventually developed severe sepsis. A literature review was carried out including 49 cases of EB-PA; among these cases, 34 were preterm infants, weighing between 930 and 3,640 g. Of these EB-PA patients, 28 had accompanying malformations, including urinary system malformations and aplasia cutis congenita (ACC). Thirty-two patients identified the subtype of EB-PA, of whom 25 were diagnosed with junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB), 6 with epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS), and 1 with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB). Genetic testing was conducted on 23 patients, of whom 15 carried Integrin Beta-4 (ITGB4) gene mutations and one JEB patient carried an Integrin Alpha-6 (ITGA6) gene mutation; 4 of the 5 EBS patients had Plectin (PLEC) gene mutations, and the other had an ITGB4 mutation. ITGB4 mutation cases involved 29 mutation sites, primarily concentrated in the region encoding the integrin beta subunit; PLEC mutation cases involved 7 mutation sites. Among all cases, 43 underwent pyloric atresia surgery, of whom 24 died postoperatively, and 6 without surgery therapy died within a short period.

Conclusion

EB-PA is a rare genetic disorder characterized by increased skin fragility and PA involving mutations in the ITGB4, PLEC, or ITGA6 genes. EB-PA has a high incidence of complications and mortality, surgery and supportive therapy are currently the most common treatment options.

Epidermolysis bullosa with pyloric atresia: Report of two cases in consecutive siblings

La atresia pilórica es una malformación digestiva poco frecuente y representa alrededor del 1% de las atresias intestinales. En el 55% de los casos, se asocia con alguna otra alteración genética o anatómica, especialmente la epidermólisis ampollosa, que se presenta en el 20% de ellos, en una asociación que se describe como un síndrome de mal pronóstico.

Se presentan dos casos de hermanos consecutivos con esta condición, ambos con un desenlace fatal. Se hizo, además, una revisión de la literatura y se expusieron los puntos más importantes.

Carmi Syndrome in a Neonate: An Exacting Surgical Challenge

Carmi syndrome is characterized by the concomitant presence of pyloric atresia and epidermolysis bullosa. Pyloric atresia routinely presents with symptoms of gastrointestinal obstruction, which include vomiting and feeding intolerance. On the other hand, epidermolysis bullosa presents with blistering skin lesions upon the slightest trauma. Due to these skin lesions, the affected patients are particularly susceptible to developing septicemia and adverse disease outcomes. We hereby delineate a case of Carmi syndrome in a neonate who was treated surgically. Postoperatively, the neonate began to deteriorate and eventually developed septicemia and passed away shortly thereafter.

Clinical outcomes and molecular profile of patients with Carmi syndrome: A systematic review and evidence quality assessment

PURPOSE

Carmi syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) and pyloric atresia (PA). We reviewed the clinicopathologic and molecular features of patients with Carmi syndrome to identify predictors of clinical outcome and guide surgical PA repair.

METHODS

A PRISMA-compliant systematic literature review of PubMed, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library was performed.

RESULTS

63 original studies including a total of 100 patients were included. PA type 1 and 2 were equally prevalent (47.2%, 95% CI: 34.4-60.3). Heineke-Mikulicz pyloroplasty (96%, 95% CI: 78.8-99) and gastroduodenostomy (72%, 95% CI: 52.2-85.9) were the most common type 1 and 2 PA repairs, respectively. Seventy lethal cases were identified (74.5%, 95% CI: 64.8-83.5). Of the 73 patients that received an operation, 49 died (67.1%, 95% CI: 55.7-76.8) and 24 survived (32.9%, 95% CI: 23.2-44.3). Integrin α6β4 expression was absent or markedly reduced in lethal cases. Integrin α6, plectin-1, cephalic integrin β4 (exon 3 to intron 11), and premature termination codon mutations were also associated with poor prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Although Carmi syndrome typically has poor prognosis, 1 in 4 patients exhibits nonlethal phenotypes. Immunofluorescence mapping and genetic consultation can guide surgical intervention and provide valuable family planning information.

EVIDENCE RATING/CLASSIFICATION

Prognosis study, Level IV.