SNeuroP - Serviço de Neurologia Pediátrica
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- Another Twist in the Tale: Intrafamilial Phenotypic Heterogeneity in ANO3‐Related DystoniaPublication . Carvalho, Vanessa; Martins, Joana; Correia, Filipe; Costa, Manuela; Massano, João; Temudo, Teresa
- Cefalea racimos en una niña de 3 añosPublication . Garrido, C.; Tuna, A.; Ramo, S.; Temudo, T.Summary. Introduction. Cluster headache is a rare disorder in childhood. We identified, in the literature, 64 cases of cluster headache starting at or before 18 years (only 17 of them began before 10 years old). All patients met the criteria of the International Headache Society. Russell et al demonstrated recently that the cluster headache is an inherited disorder in some families. They conclude that the gene is present in 3 to 4% of males and 7 to 10% of females with cluster headache and that it has an autossomal dominant transmission. Clinical case. The authors report the clinical case of a five-year-old child with cluster headache starting at three years. This paper reviews the differential diagnosis and the treatment of cluster headache
- D-bifunctional protein deficiency – a cause of neonatal onset seizures and hypotoniaPublication . Nascimento, J.; Mota, C.; Lacerda, L.; Pacheco, S.; Chorão, R.; Martins, E.; Garrido, C.Background Peroxisomal disorders are classified in two major groups: (1) Peroxisome Biogenesis Disorders and (2) single Peroxisomal Enzyme/Transporter Deficiencies. D-bifunctional protein deficiency (DBP; OMIM #261515) included in this last group of rare diseases leads to an impaired peroxisomal beta-oxidation. D-bifunctional protein deficiencies are classified in four types based on the degree of activity of the 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase protein units. Case report/Result The authors present the first portuguese reported type II DBP deficiency patient, whose neonatal clinical picture is indistinguishable from a Zellweger spectrum disease. The clinical features and the neuroimaging findings of polymicrogyria raised suspicion of the diagnosis. After biochemical analysis, DBP deficiency was confirmed with the identification of p.Asn457Tyr (N457Y) mutation, present in homozygosity in HSD17B4 gene. Parents were found to be carriers of the mutated allele, confirming the patient homozygosity status and allowing prenatal diagnosis to future pregnancies. Conclusion D-bifunctional protein deficiency is a rare and severe disease and final diagnosis can only be accomplished after HSD17B4 gene sequencing. Treatment is generally of supportive nature, aimed at improving nutrition and growth, controlling the central nervous system symptoms and limiting the eventual progression of liver disease.
- Defeitos da β-Oxidação Mitocondrial dos Ácidos Gordos - Artigo de RevisãoPublication . Sarmento, A.; Cardoso, M.; Barbo, C.; Martins, E.RESUMO Os defeitos da β-oxidação dos ácidos gordos constituem um grupo de doenças hereditárias do metabolismo que inclui 16 patologias distintas. O seu diagnóstico é por vezes difícil, visto que a maioria dos doentes está assintomática fora dos períodos de descompensação metabólica. O objectivo deste artigo é efectuar uma revisão do estado actual do conhecimento e apresentar de forma simplificada uma abordagem diagnóstica deste grupo de doenças. Clinicamente os defeitos da β-oxidação caracterizam-se pelo envolvimento de órgãos dependentes do metabolismo dos ácidos gordos para obtenção de energia, nomeadamente: coração, músculo esquelético e fígado. Há que exclui-las no contexto de síndrome de morte súbita do lactente e síndrome Reye like. As manifestações podem ser agudas e episódicas ou evoluir para formas crónicas (com cardiomiopatia hipertrófica e fraqueza muscular). A maioria manifesta- se durante o 1º ano de vida. Em termos laboratoriais é comum uma hipoglicemia hipocetótica e acidose metabólica. O diagnóstico é feito a partir do doseamento da carnitina, estudo do perfil das acilcarnitinas no plasma e estudo dos ácidos orgânicos e acilglicinas na urina. Os estudos genéticos e enzimáticos permitem confirmar o diagnóstico e são indispensáveis para a realização de um posterior diagnóstico pré-natal. O tratamento consiste em prevenir um jejum prolongado, favorecer o aporte de hidratos de carbono como fonte de energia e, dependendo do défice específicos, recorrer ao tratamento com carnitina, MCT e riboflavina. ABSTRACT Inborn defects in fatty acid β-oxidation are a complex group of diseases in which 16 different entities are recognized. These are genetic disorders, in which affected patients are often free of symptoms between episodes of acute decompensation, so clinical recognition may be difficult. The purpose of this article is to review this group of defects and, to present an approach to the appropriate evaluation. Clinically these diseases involve fatty acid β-oxidation energy dependent tissues like skeletal and cardiac muscle and liver. They must be considered in cases of sudden infant death syndrome and Reye like syndrome. Symptoms may be either acute and episodic or have a more chronic evolution (with hypertrophic cardiomiopaty and muscle weakness). Most of the times, they present in the first year of life. Laboratory features commonly present hipoketotic hypoglycemia and a metabolic acidosis. Carnitine measurement, study of acylcarnitines in blood, organic acids and acylglycines in urine are important to diagnosis. Currently genetic studies and enzyme activity measurement allow a precise diagnosis and better understanding of theses entities. The primary treatment is avoidance of prolonged fasting, restricting fatty acid uptake and increasing carbohydrate uptake. Depending on the type of the underlying metabolic disorder, treatment with carnitine, MCT or riboflavine may be indicated.
- Enfermedad de Schilder: dos nuevos casosPublication . Garrido, C.; Levy-Gomes, A.; Teixeira, J.; Temudo, T.Summary. Introduction. Schilder’s disease, or diffuse myelinoclastic sclerosis, is an infrequent disease that presents clinically as a pseudotumoural demyelinating lesion, which makes its diagnosis more complicated as it can be mistaken for a tumour or an abscess. Case reports. We examine the case of a male who was healthy up to the age of 8 years, when symptoms of a left hemiparesis appeared with a subacute onset and which were associated to symptoms of intracranial hypertension. A brain CAT scan showed a hypodense lesion in the right temporoparietal region, and the hypothesis of a tumoural lesion (astrocytoma) was suggested. Treatment was started with dexamethasone and furosemide, and a complete regression of the symptoms and a considerable decrease in the cerebral lesion were observed. The second case is that of a female adolescent who, at the age of 11, developed a clinical picture of subacute onset of left hemiplegia. A brain CAT scan revealed hypodense lesions with ring-shaped contrast enhancement. In view of the histological diagnosis of an astrocytoma, radiotherapy and corticotherapy were started. After two months’ treatment, a sharp involution of the lesions was observed, which led to the acceptance of the diagnostic hypothesis of Schilder’s disease. Both children presented recurrence of the lesions three years and nine months, in the first and second case respectively, after the first episode. Treatment with corticoid therapy was started with good clinical and radiological responses. Conclusions. In the presence of a neurological deficit with a subacute onset, associated to a brain image showing a ‘tumoural’ lesion containing an important amount of oedema and little mass effect, diagnoses other than that of a brain tumour must be taken into account. It thus becomes possible to avoid invasive forms of treatment, such as surgical resection, which entail a number of sequelae.
- Epilepsy in paediatric patients with Parry-Romberg syndrome: A review of the literaturePublication . Rocha, Ruben; Kaliakatsos, MariosBackground: Parry-Romberg syndrome (PRS) is a rare disorder characterized by unilateral slow progressive facial atrophy that can be associated with neurologic manifestations, namely seizures. There is scarce data about seizures in paediatric patients with PRS. The aim of our work was to clarify the clinical features of paediatric patients with PRS and seizures. Methods: We performed a literature review based on a literature search using PubMed and EMBASE databases. We included original articles in which the main diagnosis was PRS and the patients were 17 years old or less when the first seizure occurred. Results: We included 40 patients. Most of the patients had previously normal development and had their first seizure in the first decade of life. Neurologic examination was abnormal in 56 % of patients. Seizures are typically focal, frequently with impaired awareness, and became refractory in about 40 % of patients. Few patients have generalized seizures. On electroencephalogram, epileptic discharges are generally focal, on the same side as the facial atrophy, without a predominant cerebral lobe localization. Brain MRI is almost always abnormal, typically with T2 subcortical hyperintensities, and sometimes brain atrophy or calcifications. In addition to the classic antiepileptic drugs, immunosuppressive drugs should be considered as potential epilepsy treatment. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review dedicated to the characteristics of paediatric patients with PRS and epilepsy. Seizures are usually focal, became refractory in 40 %, and have a significant impact on the quality of life and neurodevelopment of patients.
- Folate receptor autoantibodies and spinal fluid 5-methyltetrahydrofolate deficiency in Rett syndrome.Publication . Ramaekers, V.T.; Sequeira, J.M.; Artuch, R.; Blau, N.; Temudo, T.; Ormazabal, A.; Pineda, M.; Aracil, A.; Roelens, F.; Laccone, F.; Quadros, E.V.Neuropediatrics. 2007 Aug;38(4):179-83. Folate receptor autoantibodies and spinal fluid 5-methyltetrahydrofolate deficiency in Rett syndrome. Ramaekers VT, Sequeira JM, Artuch R, Blau N, Temudo T, Ormazabal A, Pineda M, Aracil A, Roelens F, Laccone F, Quadros EV. Division of Pediatric Neurology, University Hospital Aachen, Germany. vramaekers@skynet.be Abstract Rett syndrome was associated with low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5MTHF) in 42-50% of European patients whereas approximately 93% of the patients from North-America had a normal CSF 5MTHF status. We determined the CSF folate status in Rett patients living in North- and South-Western Europe and measured serum folate receptor (FR) autoantibodies of the blocking type to explain the reduced folate transport across the choroid plexus. Irrespective of their MECP2 genotype and despite normal plasma folate values, 14 of 33 Rett patients (42%) had low CSF folate levels. Blocking FR autoantibodies were found in 8 of the Rett patients (24%), 6 of whom had low CSF folate levels. FR autoimmunity was primarily found within the group of Rett patients with low CSF folate status with a higher incidence in North-Western Europe. In Rett patients from North-America 74 of 76 girls had higher folate values in both serum and CSF than European patients. The food folate fortification in North-America may account for the higher folate levels and may prevent CFD in these Rett patients. FR autoimmunity occurred predominantly in Rett patients from North-Western Europe and may contribute to cerebral folate deficiency (CFD). PMID: 18058624 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
- Genes, Crianças e Pediatras 2005 IIPublication . Dias, C.; Martins, M.; Rocha, M.; Soares, G.; Pinto-Basto, J.; Gonçalves, S.; Carrilho, I.; Fortuna, A.; Reis-Lima, M.
- [Infection due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae: three cases with neurological complications].Publication . Cunha, J.; Madalena, C.; Guimarães, P.; Sousa, A.; Temudo, T.Summary. Introduction. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection has been associated with severe central nervous system diseases. The pathogenesis of these disorders is unknown and the treatment uncertain. Case reports. The authors present three cases of central nervous system diseases: acute transverse myelitis, cerebellitis and encephalomyelitis associated with M. pneumoniae infection. Conclusions. M. pneumoniae infection should be considered in all cases of severe acute central nervous system symptomatology. El Mycoplasma pneumoniae es un agente implicado frecuentemente en infecciones respiratorias de niños y adultos [1,2]. Se pueden producir complicaciones extrarrespiratorias básicamente mucocutáneas (eritema multiforme, eritema nudoso, síndrome de StevenJohnson), cardíacas (miocarditis, pericarditis), articulares (artritis), hematológicas (anemia hemolítica, trombocitopenia, coagulación vascular diseminada), pancreatitis, salpingitis y complicaciones neurológicas [13]. La implicación del sistema nervioso central (SNC) se estima en aproximadamente un 0,1% del total de infecciones producidas por M. pneumoniae, y puede afectar al 7% de los pacientes hospitalizados a causa de una infección producida por este agente [2,3]. Las complicaciones neurológicas incluyen: encefalitis, meningoencefalitis, encefalomielitis, polirradiculoneuropatía (como el síndrome de GuillainBarré), cerebelitis, psicosis, mielitis transversa y coma [14]. Presentamos tres casos clínicos con complicaciones neurológicas en el contexto de una infección por M. pneumoniae (mielitis transversa, cerebelitis, encefalomielitis), cuyo diagnóstico se estableció a partir de los análisis clínicos y los exámenes auxiliares de diagnóstico efectuados, principalmente las serologías seriadas. A infecção por Mycoplasma pneumoniae tem sido associada a múltiplas complicações neurológicas. A patogénese destas permanece incerta e o seu tratamento controverso. Casos clínicos. Os autores apresentam três casos de complicação neurológica em contexto de infecção pelo M. pneumoniae: mielite transversa, cerebelite e encefalomielite. Conclusão. A infecção por M. pneumoniae deve ser considerada em todos os casos de sintomatologia severa aguda do sistema nervoso central
- Neonatal Cholestasis Over Time: Changes in Epidemiology and Outcome in a Cohort of 154 Patients from a Portuguese Tertiary CenterPublication . Santos Silva, Ermelinda; Almeida, Alexandra; Frutuoso, Simão; Martins, Esmeralda; Valente, Maria João; Santos-Silva, Alice; Lopes, Ana IsabelIntroduction: In the last two decades there have been advances in the diagnosis and management of neonatal cholestasis, which may have changed its epidemiology, diagnostic accuracy, outcomes, and survival. Our goal was to characterize these changes over time in our setting. Methods: Retrospective cohort study in a tertiary center, enrolling patients born between January 1985 and October 2019. The cohort was divided into two periods, before (A; n = 67) and after (B; n = 87) the year 2000; and in two groups, according to patient's outcome (favorable, unfavorable). Overall survival and survival with and without orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) were evaluated in the two periods (A and B) and in different subgroups of underlying entities. Results: We found that the age of cholestasis recognition decreased significantly from period A to period B [median 43 days and 22 days, respectively, (p < 0.001)]; the changes in epidemiology were relevant, with a significant decrease in alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (p < 0.001) and an increase in transient cholestasis (p = 0.004). A next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel available since mid-2017 was applied to 13 patients with contributory results in 7, but, so far, only in 2 patients led to conclusive diagnosis of underlying entities. The number of cases of idiopathic cholestasis did not vary significantly. Over time there was no significant change in the outcome (p = 0.116). Overall survival and survival without OLT had no significant improvement during the period of observation (in periods A and B, 86 vs. 88%, and 85 vs. 87%, respectively). However, in period B, with OLT we achieved the goal of 100% of survival rate. Conclusions: Our data suggest that transient cholestasis became a very important subset of neonatal cholestasis, requiring specific guidance. The NGS panels can provide important inputs on disease diagnosis but, if applied without strict criteria and expertise, they can open a Pandora's box due to misinterpretation. Despite all the advances in accurate diagnosis and timely management-including early recognition of cholestasis-the improvement in patient outcomes and survival were still not significant.