Deletions in DNAL1 Cause Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia Across North American Indigenous Populations

We report 4 cases of primary ciliary dyskinesia in unrelated indigenous North American children caused by identical, homozygous, likely pathogenic deletions in the DNAL1 gene. These shared DNAL1 deletions among dispersed indigenous populations suggest that primary ciliary dyskinesia accounts for more lung disease with bronchiectasis than previously recognized in indigenous North Americans.

Cerebral Arterial Time Constant Recorded from the MCA and PICA in Normal Subjects

Cerebral arterial time constant (τ) estimates how quickly the cerebral arterial bed distal to the point of insonation is filled with arterial blood following a cardiac contraction. It is not known how τ behaves in different vascular territories in the brain. We therefore investigated the differences in τ of two cerebral arteries: the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) and the middle cerebral artery (MCA).Transcranial Doppler cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) in the PICA and left MCA along with Finapres arterial blood pressure (ABP) were simultaneously recorded in 35 young healthy volunteers. τ was estimated using mathematical transformations of pulse waveforms of ABP and the CBFV of the MCA and the PICA. Since τ is independent from the vessel radius, its comparison in different cerebral arteries was feasible. Mean ABP was 76.1 ± 9.6 mmHg. The CBFV of the MCA was higher than that of the PICA (59.7 ± 7.7 vs. 41.0 ± 4.5 cm/s; p < 0.000001). τ of the PICA was shorter than that of the MCA (0.15 ± 0.03 vs. 0.18 ± 0.03 s; p < 0.000001). The MCA-supplied vascular bed has a longer distal average length, measured from the place of insonation up to the small arterioles, than the PICA-supplied vascular bed. Therefore, a longer time is needed to fill it with arterial blood volume. This study thus confirms the physiological validity of the τ concept.

Neonatal respiratory insufficiency caused by an (homozygous) ABCA3-stop mutation: a systematic evaluation of therapeutic options

BACKGROUND

Autosomal recessive ABCA3 (ATP-binding cassette protein A3) gene mutations have been associated with neonatal respiratory distress and pediatric interstitial lung disease. The clinical course of the disease depends on the underlying mutations. Therefore, knowledge of course, symptoms and treatment of the disease is important.

PATIENT AND METHODS

A term newborn suffered from progressive respiratory insufficiency, which led to death at the age of 4.8 months. The girl developed interstitial lung disease. Infections as well as structural and functional disorders of the lung were systematically excluded. A homozygous c.4681C > T (Arg 1561 Stop) mutation of the ABCA3 gene was identified. A literature review of the pathophysiology and treatment options of the disease was done. Therapeutic approaches with corticosteroids, macrolide, and hydroxychloroquine did not improve the clinical course.

RESULTS

Therapeutic strategies for chronic interstitial lung disease have been used successfully in cases of a mild clinical course in juvenile patients with ABCA3 gene mutation. In our patient with homozygous ABCA3 gene mutation,they were not effective. Lung transplantation remains as a therapeutic option, but because of donor organ shortage and associated morbidity and mortality it is rarely feasible.

CONCLUSION

More experience in the treatment of newborns with ABCA3 gene mutations is needed. Randomized, prospective evaluation of the different therapeutic approaches in a specific registry may improve prognosis and treatment of affected individuals.

Cerebral salt wasting in a postoperative period

Cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSW-cerebral salt wasting) was first described in 1950 by Peters. This syndrome can occur in patients who have sustained damage to the central nervous system (e.g. patients with subarachnoid bleeding, bacterial meningitis or after neurosurgery). Patients present with excessive natriuresis and hyponatremic dehydration. Differentiating this syndrome with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH-syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion), which may occur in the same group of patients, is necessary in order to administer the correct treatment which consists of fluid restriction and sodium replacement in SIADH and fluid and sodium replacement as well as occasional mineralocorticoid therapy in CSW.

The prevalence and risk factors of allergic and respiratory symptoms in a regional cohort of extremely low birth weight children (<1000 g)

BACKGROUND

Children who were <1000 g (ELBW extremely low birth weight) at birth more frequently present with wheezing which is the most common reason that pediatric consultation is sought. Therefore asthma is diagnosed very often. However is the asthma that is diagnosed in ELBW subjects atopic in origin, or is there a different etiology?

AIM

To determine if ELBW infants are at higher risk for the development of allergic and respiratory symptoms and to establish if there were any specific risk factors for these symptoms.

METHODS

81 children born with a mean birthweight of 845 g (91% of available cohort) were evaluated at the mean age 6.7 years. The control group included 40 full-term children. The children were examined for clinical signs of allergy, and were subjected to the following tests: serum total IgE, skin prick tests (SPT), exhaled nitric oxide measurement (FeNO) and spirometry.

RESULTS

ELBW children had wheezing episodes more often (64% vs. 25%; OR (odds ratio): 5.38; 95% CI (confidence interval): 2.14-13.8) and were diagnosed more frequently with asthma (32% vs. 7.5%; OR: 5.83, 95% CI: 1.52-26) than their term born peers. The most important risk factors for wheezing persistence were hospitalization and wheezing episodes in first 24 months of life. Mean serum tIgE level (geometric mean: 32+/-4 vs. 56+/-4 kU/L; p=0.002) was higher and the number of children with positive results of tIgE level (12% vs. 32%; p=0.02) were more frequent in the control group. Children from the control group also more frequently had SPT, however this data was not statistically significant (11% vs. 24%; p=0.09). All of the ELBW had normal FeNO level (<=20 ppb), but 5 children from the control group had abnormal results (p=0.02). There was no difference between the groups in the occurrence of allergic symptoms.

CONCLUSION

ELBW children have more frequent respiratory, but not allergic problems at the age of 6-7 years compared to children born at term. The need for rehospitalization in the first 2 years of life, was a more important risk factor of future respiratory problems at the age of 7 than perinatal factors, the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia or allergy.

Coronary artery abnormalities in Kawasaki disease

INTRODUCTION

Kawasaki disease is the number one cause of acquired heart disease among children in developed countries.

AIM

The aim of the study was a retrospective analysis of the factors that may influence the persistence of coronary artery abnormalities in patients with Kawasaki disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Analyzing the medical records of patients hospitalized in the University Children's Hospital of Krakow in the years 2005-2011 we collected the data of 28 patients diagnosed with Kawasaki disease. The group was divided into two subgroups, depending on the duration of the persistence of changes in the coronary arteries - A (n = 17) for up to 6 months, B (n = 11) - for more than 6 months. Both groups were analyzed for the presence of factors that may influence the course of the disease.

RESULTS

There were more boys in group A (11 boys (65%), 6 girls (35%)), whereas in group B the distribution was more uniform (6 boys (55%), 5 girls (45%)). The age of onset in group A was 37.9 months (SD 30.8), in group B 39.5 months (SD 16.7). 17.6% of patients in group A and 36.4% in group B were treated with glucocorticoids.

CONCLUSIONS

In the group of patients in which coronary artery abnormalities disappeared more quickly, male and slightly older children dominated. The only difference observed between the 2 groups related to the frequency of the use of glucocorticoids, they were used more often in children, in whom coronary artery abnormalities persisted longer.

A decrease in fasting FGF19 levels is associated with the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese adolescents

AIM

Fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) is a hormone released from the small intestine; recently, it has emerged as an endocrine regulator of glucose and lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of FGF19 in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

PATIENTS

This study included 23 (17 boys) obese adolescents (mean age of 14.1 years) with NAFLD. The control group consisted of 34 (13 boys) obese peers with normal ultrasonographic imaging and normal liver function tests.

METHODS

The definition of NAFLD was based on clinical criteria: elevated alanine aminotransferase (>35 U/L) and liver steatosis features on ultrasound imaging. Serum FGF19 levels were measured in a fasting blood sample. The definition of insulin resistance was based on the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) threshold: >2.5.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference between mean FGF19 levels in patients with NAFLD and controls (142.2 vs. 206 pg/mL, p=0.04). Mean fasting FGF19 levels were decreased in insulin-resistant patients in comparison with the non-insulin-resistant group (155.0 vs. 221.0 pg/mL, p=0.05). There was an inverse correlation between FGF19 and alanine aminotransferase levels (R=-0.3, p<0.05) and triglycerides (R=-0.27, p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

A decrease in fasting FGF19 is associated with the development of NAFLD in obese adolescents. A decrease in fasting FGF19 levels may be a new important risk factor for NAFLD and the metabolic syndrome in adolescents. Further studies are needed to explain whether exogenous delivery of FGF19 might be therapeutically beneficial.