Lysinuric protein intolerance presenting as pancytopenia and splenomegaly mimicking acute leukaemia: a case report

BACKGROUND

Lysinuric protein intolerance is a rare inherited metabolic disease due to autosomal recessive mutations of the SLC7A7 gene. The affected patients commonly present with protein-rich food intolerance, failure to thrive, hepatosplenomegaly, muscle hypotonia and lung involvement due to impaired intestinal absorption and excessive urinary excretion of dibasic amino acids. Presentation with splenomegaly and cytopenia without other features has not been reported. Here we report a Sri Lankan girl with lysinuric protein intolerance presenting with pancytopenia and splenomegaly mimicking acute leukaemia.

CASE PRESENTATION

Two years and six months old Sri Lankan girl presented with persistent pancytopenia following a viral illness. She was asymptomatic without vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain or irritability. Physical examination revealed pallor and isolated firm splenomegaly of 2 cm. Growth parameters and other system examinations were normal. Full blood count revealed anaemia, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. The blood picture showed a mixture of hypochromic microcytic and normochromic normocytic red cells with occasional pencil cells and macrocytes. Bone marrow examination was normal except for occasional megaloblasts; however, serum vitamin B12 and red blood cell folate were normal. The metabolic screen showed a high anion gap compensated metabolic acidosis, high lactate and ketosis. Genetic mutation analysis using whole exome sequencing revealed compound heterozygous variants of the SLC7A7 gene, confirming the diagnosis of lysinuric protein intolerance.

CONCLUSION

We report a child with lysinuric protein intolerance presenting with pancytopenia and splenomegaly without other disease features. This case report adds to the heterogenic presentations of lysinuric protein intolerance, which is considered a multifaceted disease.

A large pericardial cystic lymphangioma presenting as acute-onset respiratory distress in a child: a case report

Background

Lymphangiomas are rare benign malformations of the lymphatics that occur due to blockage of the lymphatic system during fetal development. They commonly occur in the neck and axilla, while involvement of the pericardium is rare. We report herein the case of a 16-month-old Sri Lankan child with a large pericardial cystic lymphangioma presenting with sudden-onset shortness of breath.

Case presentation

A 16-month-old Sri Lankan boy presented with sudden-onset dyspnea for 1-day duration following a febrile illness that lasted 2 days. On examination, he was afebrile and had subcostal, intercostal, and suprasternal recessions, with a respiratory rate of 50 breaths per minute. He had a loud expiratory grunt. The chest expansion was reduced on the right side, which was dull to percussion. Auscultation revealed a marked reduction of air entry over the right lower and mid zones. Chest X-ray showed a well-demarcated opacity involving the lower and mid zones of the right hemithorax associated with a tracheal shift to the opposite side. Ultrasound scan of the chest revealed fluid-filled right hemithorax suggesting a septate pleural effusion. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of the thorax showed a large multiloculated extrapulmonary cystic lesion involving the right hemithorax with a mediastinal shift towards the left side associated with displacement of the right-side mediastinal structures. He underwent mini-thoracotomy and surgical excision of the cyst. A large cyst originating from the pericardium was observed and excised during surgery. Histological examination revealed a lesion composed of cysts devoid of a lining epithelium but separated by connective tissue, mature adipose tissue, and lymphoid aggregates. The child showed complete recovery postoperatively with full expansion of the ipsilateral lung.

Conclusion

We report the case of a patient with cystic lymphangioma who was perfectly well and asymptomatic until 16 months of age. This case report presents the very rare occurrence of a large cystic lymphangioma originating from the pericardium. It highlights the importance of considering rare possibilities and performing prompt imaging in situations of diagnostic uncertainty to arrive at an accurate diagnosis that can be lifesaving.

Psychological morbidity among children with transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia and their parents in Sri Lanka

Background

Thalassaemia is a chronic disease which requires lifelong treatment in a majority. Despite recent advances in the medical care, minimal attempts are made to improve psychological health in these patients. In this study, we aim to describe the psychological morbidity in patients with transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia and their mothers in Sri Lanka.

Methods

This case control study was conducted in the three largest thalassaemia centres of Sri Lanka. All patients with transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia aged 4–18 years were recruited as cases whilst a randomly selected group of children without chronic diseases were recruited as controls. Psychological morbidity of children was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and depressive symptoms of mothers was assessed by the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale.

Results

288 transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia patients and equal number of controls were recruited. Abnormal emotional, conduct, hyperactivity and peer relationship symptom scores were reported by 18%, 17%, 9% and 14% of patients with thalassaemia respectively. Prevalences of abnormal psychological symptom scores in all domains were significantly higher among patients compared to controls. Abnormal conduct symptoms were significantly more prevalent among patients with HbE β-thalassaemia and those with suboptimal pretransfusion haemoglobin levels, lower transfusion volumes, hypothyroidism and undernutrition. Short stature was associated with abnormal emotional and hyperactivity scores. Depressive symptoms were significantly higher among mothers of patients with thalassaemia. Higher depressive symptom scores in mothers were significantly associated with abnormal emotional, conduct and peer relationship symptom scores in children.

Conclusions

A higher proportion of patients with transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia had abnormal psychological symptom scores. Abnormal conduct symptoms were more prevalent among patients with HbE β-thalassaemia, those who were inadequately transfused and having hypothyroidism and undernutrition. Mothers of the children with transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia had significantly higher depressive symptoms which were significantly associated with psychological symptoms among children.

Health related quality of life among children with transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia major and haemoglobin E β-thalassaemia in Sri Lanka: a case control study

Background

Thalassaemia is a chronic disease without an effective cure in a majority. The clinical management has improved considerably during recent years; however, minimal attempts are made to up lift the quality of life among patients, especially in developing countries. Here we aim to describe and compare and to determine factors associated with health related quality of life among patients with transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia major and haemoglobin E β-thalassemia in Sri Lanka.

Methods

A case control study was conducted in the three largest thalassaemia centres of Sri Lanka. All patients with transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia (β-thalassaemia major and haemoglobin E β-thalassaemia) aged 5–18 years were recruited as cases whilst a randomly selected group of children without chronic diseases were recruited as controls. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and health related quality of life was measured using the validated Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory Version 4.0.

Results

Two hundred and seventy one patients with transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia (male-49.1%; mean age- 10.9 ± 3.6 years) and 254 controls (male-47.2%; mean age- 10.4 ± 3.5 years) were recruited. Mean health-related quality of life scores were significantly lower in patients compared to controls (72.9 vs. 91.5, p < 0.001). Of the patients, 224 (84%) had β-thalassaemia major and 43 (16%) had haemoglobin E β-thalassaemia. Quality of life scores in psychological health (p < 0.05), emotional functioning (p < 0.05) and social functioning (p < 0.05) were significantly lower in patients with haemoglobin E β-thalassaemia compared to β-thalassaemia major. Splenectomy (p < 0.05), short stature (p < 0.05), under nutrition (p < 0.05) and longer hospital stays (p < 0.05) were significantly associated with lower quality of life scores.

Conclusions

Despite improvements in management, the quality of life among patients with β-thalassaemia still remains low. This is more pronounced in the subset of patients with haemoglobin E β-thalassaemia. Splenectomy, short stature, undernutrition and longer hospital stays were significantly associated with poor quality of life. It is timely, even in developing countries, to direct emphasis and to take appropriate steps to improve standards of living and quality of life of patients with β-thalassaemia.

Blood transfusion therapy for β-thalassemia major and hemoglobin E β-thalassemia: Adequacy, trends, and determinants in Sri Lanka

BACKGROUND

Regular blood transfusion therapy still remains the cornerstone in the management of β-thalassemia. Although recommendations are clear for patients with β-thalassemia major, uniform transfusion guidelines are lacking for patients with hemoglobin E β-thalassemia. In this study, we aim to describe the adequacy, trends, and determinants of blood transfusion therapy in a large cohort of pediatric patients with β-thalassemia major and hemoglobin E β-thalassemia.

METHODS/PROCEDURE

This cross-sectional study was performed among all regularly transfused patents with β-thalassemia aged 2 to 18 years attending three large thalassemia centers in Sri Lanka. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, perusal of clinical records, and physical examination of patients by trained doctors.

RESULTS

A total of 328 patients (male 47%) were recruited; 83% had β-thalassemia major, whereas 16% had hemoglobin E β-thalassemia. Sixty-one percent of patients had low pretransfusion hemoglobin levels (< 9.0 g/dL) despite receiving high transfusion volumes (> 200 mL/kg/year) by a majority (56%). Median pretransfusion hemoglobin was significantly lower in patients with hemoglobin E β-thalassemia compared with β-thalassemia major (P < 0.001); however, there was no difference in requirement for high transfusion volumes over 200 mL/kg/year in both groups (P = 0.14). Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were more common in hemoglobin E β-thalassemia and were associated with lower pretransfusion hemoglobin. Transfusion requirements were higher among patients with hepatitis C and in those who are underweight.

CONCLUSIONS

Over 60% of regularly transfused patients with β-thalassemia have low pretransfusion hemoglobin levels despite receiving large transfusion volumes. Patients with hemoglobin E β-thalassemia are undertransfused and specific recommendations should be developed to guide transfusions in these patients.