Browsing by Author "Bandeira, Anabela"
Now showing 1 - 8 of 8
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Congenital disorders of glycosylationPublication . Mendes, Ana Raquel; Quelhas, D; Correia, Joana; Paiva Coelho, Margarida; Bandeira, Anabela; Martins, EsmeraldaCongenital disorders of glycosylation are a highly variable, rapidly expanding family of genetic diseases that result from defects in the synthesis of glycans. The vast majority of these monogenic diseases are inherited in an autosomal recessive way, but some types follow an autosomal dominant or X-linked inheritance. The present work aimed to review the state of the art of congenital disorders of glycosylation, including available therapeutic options, and present a simplified diagnostic approach to this group of diseases. Congenital disorders of glycosylation can be classified into four categories: N-linked glycosylation defects, O-linked glycosylation defects, combined glycosylation defects, and glycosphingolipid and glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor synthesis defects. The phenotype may range from mild to severe, depending on disease severity. Clinical features include dysmorphic features, neurologic, dermatologic, cardiac, endocrine, immunologic, hematologic, gastrointestinal and liver involvement, and skeletal muscle abnormalities. As there is no universal or pathognomonic sign or symptom and no sensitive diagnostic test, it is of foremost importance to keep a high index of suspicion of these diseases. When a congenital disorder of glycosylation is suspected, the first step in screening is to perform serum transferrin isoelectric focusing. Molecular genetic testing is the most specific diagnostic test. Treatment is usually symptomatic, with specific treatment only available for some of these disorders. Since congenital defects of glycosylation may affect any organ at any age and have variable clinical presentation, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any patient with multiorgan involvement.
- Continuous use of glycomacropeptide in the nutritional management of patients with phenylketonuria: a clinical perspectivePublication . Pena, Maria João; Pinto, Alex; de Almeida, Manuela Ferreira; de Sousa Barbosa, Catarina; Ramos, Paula Cristina; Rocha, Sara; Guimas, Arlindo; Ribeiro, Rosa; Martins, Esmeralda; Bandeira, Anabela; Dias, Cláudia Camila; MacDonald, Anita; Borges, Nuno; Rocha, Júlio CésarBackground: In phenylketonuria (PKU), modified casein glycomacropeptide supplements (CGMP-AA) are used as an alternative to the traditional phenylalanine (Phe)-free L-amino acid supplements (L-AA). However, studies focusing on the long-term nutritional status of CGMP-AA are lacking. This retrospective study evaluated the long-term impact of CGMP-AA over a mean of 29 months in 11 patients with a mean age at CGMP-AA onset of 28 years (range 15-43) [8 females; 2 hyperphenylalaninaemia (HPA), 3 mild PKU, 3 classical PKU and 3 late-diagnosed]. Outcome measures included metabolic control, anthropometry, body composition and biochemical parameters. Results: CGMP-AA, providing 66% of protein equivalent intake from protein substitute, was associated with no significant change in blood Phe with CGMP-AA compared with baseline (562 ± 289 µmol/L vs 628 ± 317 µmol/L; p = 0.065). In contrast, blood tyrosine significantly increased on CGMP-AA (52.0 ± 19.2 μmol/L vs 61.4 ± 23.8 μmol/L; p = 0.027). Conclusions: Biochemical nutritional markers remained unchanged which is an encouraging finding in adults with PKU, many of whom are unable to maintain full adherence with nutritionally fortified protein substitutes. Longitudinal, prospective studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to fully understand the metabolic impact of using CGMP-AA in PKU.
- Leigh Syndrome Spectrum: A Portuguese Population Cohort in an Evolutionary Genetic EraPublication . Baldo, Manuela Schubert; Nogueira, Célia; Pereira, Cristina; Janeiro, Patrícia; Ferreira, Sara; Lourenço, Charles M.; Bandeira, Anabela; Martins, Esmeralda; Magalhães, Marina; Rodrigues, Esmeralda; Santos, Helena; Ferreira, Ana Cristina; Vilarinho, LauraMitochondrial diseases are the most common inherited inborn error of metabolism resulting in deficient ATP generation, due to failure in homeostasis and proper bioenergetics. The most frequent mitochondrial disease manifestation in children is Leigh syndrome (LS), encompassing clinical, neuroradiological, biochemical, and molecular features. It typically affects infants but occurs anytime in life. Considering recent updates, LS clinical presentation has been stretched, and is now named LS spectrum (LSS), including classical LS and Leigh-like presentations. Apart from clinical diagnosis challenges, the molecular characterization also progressed from Sanger techniques to NGS (next-generation sequencing), encompassing analysis of nuclear (nDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This upgrade resumed steps and favored diagnosis. Hereby, our paper presents molecular and clinical data on a Portuguese cohort of 40 positive cases of LSS. A total of 28 patients presented mutation in mtDNA and 12 in nDNA, with novel mutations identified in a heterogeneous group of genes. The present results contribute to the better knowledge of the molecular basis of LS and expand the clinical spectrum associated with this syndrome.
- Over Restriction of Dietary Protein Allowance: The Importance of Ongoing Reassessment of Natural Protein Tolerance in PhenylketonuriaPublication . Pinto, Alex; Almeida, Manuela Ferreira; MacDonald, Anita; Ramos, Paula Cristina; Rocha, Sara; Guimas, Arlindo; Ribeiro, Rosa; Martins, Esmeralda; Bandeira, Anabela; Jackson, Richard; van Spronsen, Francjan; Payne, Anne; Rocha, Júlio CésarPhenylalanine (Phe) tolerance is highly variable in phenylketonuria (PKU) and rarely described in patients aged ≥12 years. Patients ≥12 years of age with PKU were systematically challenged with additional natural protein (NP) if blood Phe levels remained below 480 µmol/L (i.e., upper target blood Phe level for patients aged ≥12 years using Portuguese PKU guidelines). In PKU patients, NP tolerance was calculated at baseline and a median of 6 months after systematic challenge with NP whilst patients were maintaining a blood Phe ≤480 μmol/L. Anthropometry was assessed at both times. Routine blood Phe levels were collected. We studied 40 well-controlled PKU patients (10 hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA), 23 mild and 7 classic PKU), on a low-Phe diet with a mean age of 17 years (12-29 years). Median daily NP intake significantly increased between assessments (35 vs. 40 g/day, p = 0.01). Twenty-six patients (65%) were able to increase their median NP intake by a median 12 g/day (2-42 g)/day and still maintain blood Phe within target range. Out of the previous 26 patients, 20 (77%) (8 HPA, 11 mild and 1 classical PKU) increased NP from animal sources (e.g. dairy products, fish and meat) and 6 patients (23%) (3 mild and 3 classical PKU) from plant foods (bread, pasta, potatoes). Median protein equivalent intake from Phe-free/low-Phe protein substitute decreased (0.82 vs. 0.75 g/kg, p = 0.01), while median blood Phe levels remained unchanged (279 vs. 288 μmol/L, p = 0.06). Almost two-thirds of patients with PKU tolerated additional NP when challenged and still maintained blood Phe within the national target range. This suggests that some patients with PKU treated by a low-Phe diet only may over restrict their NP intake. In order to minimise the burden of treatment and optimise NP intake, it is important to challenge with additional NP at periodic intervals.
- Síndrome dismórfico em recém-nascido com hipocolesterolemiaPublication . Ferreira, Inês; Pereira, Sandra; Lira, Sónia; Bandeira, Anabela; Quelhas, Dulce; Martins, EsmeraldaIntrodução: São diversas as patologias causadas por erros na biossíntese do colesterol, sendo a síndrome de Smith-Lemli-Opitz a mais frequente. Caso Clínico: Lactente, sexo masculino internado aos 31 dias de vida por dificuldades alimentares e má progressão ponderal. Apresentava síndrome dismórfica (anomalias esqueléticas pós-axiais), hipotonia axial, movimentos espontâneos e reflexos débeis Do estudo realizado destaca-se uma hipocolesterolemia e uma elevação dos percursores do colesterol, que permitiram fazer o diagnóstico de Síndrome de Smith-Lemli-Opitz, tendo sido confirmado por estudo molecular. Após suplementação com colesterol verificou-se ligeira recuperação ponderal. Discussão: A Síndrome de Smith-Lemli-Opitz é uma síndrome polimalformativa, de transmissão autossómica recessiva, que resulta de um erro inato da biossíntese do colesterol. É causada por um defeito da 7-dehidrocolesterol redutase, que condiciona níveis diminuídos de colesterol e elevação dos seus percursores. A suplementação com colesterol permitiu uma melhoria clínica parcial.
- SLC35A2-CDG: Novel variant and reviewPublication . Quelhas, D; Correia, Joana; Jaeken, Jaak; Azevedo, Luísa; Lopes-Marques, Mónica; Bandeira, Anabela; Keldermans, Liesbeth; Matthijs, Gert; Sturiale, Luisa; Martins, EsmeraldaSLC35A2 encodes the X-linked transporter that carries uridine diphosphate (UDP)-galactose from the cytosol to the lumen of the Golgi apparatus and the endoplasmic reticulum. Pathogenic variants have been associated to a congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG) with epileptic encephalopathy as a predominant feature. Among the sixty five patients described so far, a strong gender bias is observed as only seven patients are males. This work is a review and reports a SLC35A2-CDG in a male without epilepsy and with growth deficiency associated with decreased serum IGF1, minor neurological involvement, minor facial dysmorphism, and camptodactyly of fingers and toes. Sequence analysis revealed a hemizygosity for a novel de novo variant: c.233A > G (p.Lys78Arg) in SLC35A2. Further analysis of SLC35A2 sequence by comparing both orthologous and paralogous positions, revealed that not only the variant found in this study, but also most of the reported mutated positions are conserved in SLC35A2 orthologous, and many even in the paralogous SLC35A1 and SLC35A3. This is strong evidence that replacements at these positions will have a critical pathological effect and may also explain the gender bias observed among SLC35A2-CDG patients.
- TYROSINEMIA TYPE III: A CASE REPORT OF SIBLINGS AND LITERATURE REVIEWPublication . Barroso, Fábio; Correia, Joana; Bandeira, Anabela; Carmona, Carla; Vilarinho, Laura; MF, Almeida; Rocha, Júlio César; Martins, EsmeraldaObjective: Tyrosinemia type III (HT III) is the rarest form of tyrosinemia, and the full clinical spectrum of this disorder is still unknown. The neurological involvement varies, including intellectual impairment and attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADHD). We report the case of two siblings diagnosed with HT III at different ages. Case description: The index case was diagnosed by newborn screening for endocrine and metabolic disorders, starting a low-protein diet immediately, with a consistent decrease in tyrosine levels. By the age of three, the child displayed a hyperactive behavior, starting treatment for ADHD two years later. At seven years of age, he shows a slight improvement in terms of behavior and attention span and has a cognitive performance slightly lower than his peers, despite maintaining acceptable tyrosine levels. His sister, who had a history of ADHD since age five, was diagnosed with HT III after family screening at the age of eight. Despite initiating a dietetic treatment, her behavior did not improve, and she has a mild intellectual impairment. Comments: This is the first case report describing siblings with HT III who underwent nutritional treatment with a low-protein diet in different phases of life, with a better neurological and behavioral evaluation in the patient who started treatment earlier.
- A very rare cause of infantile spasmsPublication . Fonseca, Margarida Silva; Vieira, Clara; Chorão, Rui; Bandeira, Anabela; Carrilho, InêsPsychomotor development regression or delay associated with epilepsy represent a diagnostic challenge. The diagnostic approach should take into account age group, epileptic syndrome, physical and neurological data, and organ and/or system involvement. Herein is reported the case of a toddler for whom hair development, epileptic seizure evolution, and electroencephalographic findings were key for Menkes kinky hair disease diagnosis. The typical electroclinical evolution in this syndrome has rarely been previously reported. A 22-month-old boy, born at 35 weeks, was admitted to the hospital by the age of two months due to epileptic seizures. Physical examination revealed dysmorphic facial features, pectus excavatum, and inguinal hernias. Antiepileptic drugs were initiated and one month later the patient was readmitted with recurrent epileptic seizures. Transfer to a hospital with Pediatric Neurology support was required, where light-toned and pleated skin, sparse hair, failure to thrive, and axial hypotonia were remarked. Initial investigation with general metabolic, neuroimaging, ophthalmological, and microarray study revealed no changes. Electroencephalograms were markedly abnormal, initially with focal changes and later with hypsarrhythmia. Considering the patient’s phenotype, copper serum level was analysed, with null value. Molecular study confirmed Menkes kinky hair disease and copper histidine therapy was initiated. Menkes kinky hair disease should be considered in infants with global developmental delay, severe hypotonia, refractory epilepsy, and typical hair and skin changes occurring early in life. However, neonatal diagnosis is hampered by age-unspecific signs and symptoms. Despite being a rare and fatal entity, timely diagnosis allowing early therapy institution and avoiding unnecessary additional tests and prompt genetic counseling are of utmost importance.