10例KCNQ2基因突变相关儿童癫痫临床表型与基因型特征分析

目的探讨KCNQ2基因突变相关癫痫临床表型与基因型的相关性。方法收集2015年10月至2018年9月经全外显子组测序技术筛选出的10例KCNQ2基因阳性突变患儿的临床资料,其中包括一对异卵双胞胎。被证实的突变均用Sanger测序验证,并明确突变的父母来源。结果发现5个新的KCNQ2突变,c.1720_1721delGG、c.185CT、c.2180AG、c. 2245GA、c. 1164AT,另外3个已报道突变c.917CT、c.1687GA、c.1741CT。患儿表现为轻重不一的早发性癫痫脑病(EOEE)。在双胞胎患儿中均发现无义突变c.807GA,但1例临床诊断为EOEE,另1例为良性家族性新生儿癫痫。家系调查发现家族中5人受累,受累者的临床表现轻重不一。10例患儿经单药或联合苯巴比妥、丙戊酸钠、托吡酯、奥卡西平、左乙拉西坦治疗后,大部分症状改善或消失。结论 KCNQ2基因相关癫痫是一种谱系疾病,可从重型的EOEE到中间型的非典型早发癫痫脑病及良性家族性婴儿癫痫,再到轻型的良性家族性新生儿癫痫等。KCNQ2基因突变类型及位点分布可能与临床表型相关联,需要个体化治疗。     

PARS2基因变异致早发性婴儿癫痫性脑病1例报告

遗传学因素是早发性婴儿癫痫性脑病的常见病因.文章鉴定1例早发性婴儿癫痫性脑病患儿的致病性变异.男性患儿,4月27日龄,反复抽搐发作20余天,表现为痉挛发作,伴发育迟缓.其父母表型无异常.患儿存在PARS 2基因c.287 G>A(p.Arg 96 His)和c.283 G>A(p.Val 95 Ile)复合杂合变异,前...     

KCNT1 基因变异致早发癫痫性脑病1 例报告并文献复习

目的探讨KCNT 1基因变异所致早发癫痫性脑病的临床特点、诊断及治疗。方法回顾分析1例确诊KCNT 1基因变异相关早发癫痫性脑病患儿的临床资料,并复习相关文献。结果患儿女,2岁7个月,自新生儿期起频繁癫痫发作,以局灶阵挛性发作为主要表现,伴发育落后。脑电图示痫样放电。头颅影像学及遗传代谢筛查无明显异常。基因检测结果患儿存在KCNT1基因变异c.1041G>C(p.Glu347Asp)(NM_020822.2)。予奎尼丁口服治疗后癫痫发作有所缓解。结论KCNT 1基因变异相关早发癫痫性脑病可在新生儿期起病,伴精神运动发育异常;奎尼丁治疗可能有效。     

早发性癫痫脑病伴运动障碍5例临床特征分析

目的　探讨早发性癫痫脑病伴运动障碍患儿临床特点，提高认识，正确诊治。方法　收集2013年9月至 2017年9月华中科技大学同济医学院附属武汉儿童医院神经内科收治的早发性癫痫脑病伴运动障碍患儿5例，对其临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果　共收集5例患儿，男1例，女4例。1例运动障碍表现为手舞足蹈样动作，2例为运动障碍震颤、共济失调混杂，1例为四肢震颤伴有手腕部交替扭曲动作，1例为肌张力不全伴有震颤、言语不清表现。4例基因检测为阳性，1例为SCN1A基因突变，2例为PRRT2基因突变，1例为SLC2A1基因突变。经治疗，2例控制，效果好，3例效果差。结论　早发性癫痫脑病伴运动障碍，容易漏诊或误诊为癫痫发作，与遗传有一定关联，致病基因为PRRT2、SLC2A1基因。SCN1A基因突变相关性早发性癫痫脑病伴运动障碍相对少见。部分患儿治疗效果好。     

钠离子通道基因突变相关早发性癫痫脑病患儿临床特征及分子遗传学研究

目的:探讨不同类型的钠离子通道基因突变相关早发性癫痫脑病(EOEE)患儿的临床表型特点。方法:采用回顾性研究。选取2016年6月至2019年6月复旦大学附属儿科医院神经内科和华中科技大学同济医学院附属武汉儿童医院神经内科收治的52例患儿,采集患儿及其父母外周血,应用疾病基因家系全外显子二代测序及拷贝数变异技术进行测序分...     

钾离子通道KCNQ2基因突变相关性早发性癫痫脑病2例临床报道

目的　探讨KCNQ2基因突变相关性早发性癫痫脑病患儿临床特征，以早期诊治，改善预后。方法　收集2014年8月至 2016年12月在华中科技大学同济医学院附属武汉儿童医院神经内科收治的早发性癫痫脑病患儿，筛选出KCNQ2基因突变阳性的患儿，并除外已知与早发性癫痫脑病发病相关的其他基因。结果　共收集2例KCNQ2基因突变阳性，均为新发错义突变，均为男性，均为新生儿期起病。1例为大田原综合征，后期转变为婴儿痉挛症；1例为非综合征类早发性癫痫脑病。初期脑电图表现1例多量多灶性棘波、尖波、棘慢波发放，睡眠期增多；1例大量多灶性棘波、尖波、尖慢波发放。2例应用钠通道阻滞剂效果差，癫痫发作难以控制。其中1例患儿添加生酮饮食治疗有效，癫痫发作控制，但智力运动功能损害严重。结论　KCNQ2基因突变相关性早发性癫痫脑病，可在新生儿期起病，脑电图初期多表现为多灶性放电。生酮饮食添加治疗可能有效。     

WWOX 基因变异致早发性婴儿癫痫性脑病1 例报告并文献复习

目的报道早发性婴儿癫痫性脑病致病性变异。方法收集1例早发性婴儿癫痫性脑病患儿及其家系成员的基因检测结果,并复习相关文献。结果先证者为男性,3月龄,反复抽搐发作1个月,表现为局灶性发作和痉挛发作;先证者父亲、母亲表型无异常。先证者存在WWOX基因c.183CG(p.Tyr61*)无义变异和c.178-16TG(内含子)复合杂合变异,前者源自母亲,后者源自父亲。上述2个变异均未见报道,根据美国遗传学和基因组学学会指南判断前者为"可能致病",后者为"意义未明"。给予患儿左乙拉西坦联合硝基安定口服治疗后,癫痫仍反复发作,精神及运动发育显著落后,肌张力低下。检索到临床资料齐全的WWOX基因文献报道 22篇共64例患者,涉及30多个位点,其中复合杂合变异和纯合变异最常见,后者多来自中东地区的近亲婚配家庭,癫痫以早期婴儿癫痫性脑病最常见。结论 WWOX基因复合杂合变异是该婴儿癫痫性脑病的致病性变异;WWOX基因变异所致的癫痫为药物难治性。     

SZT2基因突变所致儿童难治性癫痫3例报告

目的报道3例SZT2基因突变所致难治性癫痫患儿的临床表现及预后。方法分析总结3例SZT2基因突变所致难治性癫痫患儿的临床资料及随访结果。结果男2例,女1例,分别于4月龄、10月龄及18月龄时出现难治性癫痫,伴有智力运动发育落后、特殊面容(高前额、睑裂下斜、眼睑下垂、弓形眉)、四肢肌张力低下、头围增大等,均有严重的癫痫性脑病表现,其中1例男性患儿(10月龄发病)因反复惊厥死亡。3例患儿基因检测结果均提示SZT2基因突变。结论对无明显诱因出现难治性癫痫伴有智力运动发育落后的患儿应尽早完善基因检测,以明确诊断。     

KCNA2 基因致早发性癫痫性脑病 1 例临床和基因变异分析

目的探讨早发性癫痫性脑病的基因变异特点。方法回顾分析1例早发性癫痫性脑病患儿的临床资料及基因检测结果。结果女性患儿,出生后30分钟出现间断抽搐,频繁发作。多种抗癫痫药物(苯巴比妥、水合氯醛、地西泮、丙戊酸钠、左乙拉西坦、氯硝西泮、奥卡西平)均无效。二代测序发现患儿KCNA2 基因c.1120AG 杂合变异,父母均未携带,为新发变异。结论该变异的致病性已有文献报道,但为国内首次报道。扩充了国内早发性癫痫性脑病的基因突变谱。     

易发展为难治性癫痫的几种常见癫痫综合征

癫痫是儿科临床常见的神经系统发作性疾病,在正确诊断和规范治疗的基础上,大多数患儿的发作能够获得理想控制,且可正常或接近正常地学习和生活。但某些类型癫痫则表现为药物难治和伴随发育迟滞或倒退,预后不良。在儿童期起病后容易发展为难治性癫痫的情况主要     

Bibliometric data: a disaster for many non-American biomedical journals

Bibliometric data published by the Institute of Scientific Information in Philadelphia (ISI), and which was previously discussed in Acta Paediatrica , has increasingly been used despite all the relevant and severe criticism that has been raised against this method of evaluating individual research results and grading scientific journals. It is obvious that the present trend regarding the use of bibliometric data as a basis for priorities and funding of research and for the promotion of individual scientists favours American-oriented research projects at the expense of those that are based on concepts of predominantly European relevance.

Conclusion: For the future of non-American research, it is important that no single super-power, i.e. the USA, should dominate scientific priorities. The condition for efficient European competition is that European Centres with high levels of competence for creative research and training of scientists from all over the world are established. In addition, it is important that the results of European research are published in prestigious European journals, as was the situation before World War II.     

alpha -SMOOTH MUSCLE ACTIN DISTRIBUTION IN THE PULMONARY VASCULATURE COMPARING HYPOPLASTIC AND NORMAL FETAL LUNGS

We investigated the intra-acinar pulmonary vascular muscularization in the developing human fetal lung between the 17th and 24th gestational weeks, that is, during the canalicular phase of lung development. Fifteen hypoplastic and 25 normal developed lungs were included in this study using monoclonal alpha -smooth muscle (sm) actin antibodies for smooth muscle detection. Computer-aided image analysis was performed for morphometrical measurements and statistical evaluation. Alphasm-actin-immunoreactive intra-acinar vessels down to a luminal diameter of less than 10 mu m were detected in hypoplastic as well as in normally developed lungs. Crucial differences presented as follows: significantly higher density of intra-acinar vessels, especially due to alpha -sm-actin-negative vessels less than 30 mu m in luminal diameter, in the control group; significantly higher alpha -sm-actin immunoreactivity per section unit as well as per vessel in the hypoplastic lung group. As suggested by others, alpha-sm-actin-positive cells of the intra-acinar vessel wall in the developing human lung were demonstrated to be smooth muscle cells, their immediate precursors, and pericytes. We conclude that the increased alpha -sm-actin immunoreactivity represents muscularization of the vessel wall in functional terms and may be regarded as one structural cause among others for the establishment of persistent fetal circulation in hypoplastic lungs.     

Whole-body mineral measurements in Swedish adolescents at 17 years compared to 15 years of age

Aim: To provide reference data for bone mineral variables in 15- and 17-y-old adolescents and to analyse the relationships between these variables and measures of bone and body size, gender, puberty, growth, various lifestyle and environmental factors and socioeconomic background.

Methods: In the same 321 randomly selected adolescents (147 boys and 174 girls) living in two different regions of Sweden, the total bone mineral content (TBMC), bone area (BA) and total bone mineral density (TBMD) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at ages 15 and 17 y. The effects of bone and body size, gender, growth, sexual maturity, physical activity, region of domicile, social conditions, food habits, smoking and alcohol intake on TBMC and TBMD were examined in multivariate analyses.

Results: In the 15-y-old adolescents, BA, height, gender, physical activity, maturity and weight explained 91% and 48%, of the variance in TBMC and TBMD, respectively. In similar analyses in the 17-y-olds, the corresponding figures were 92% and 62%, respectively, when BA, height, growth, physical activity, gender and region emerged as significant in the model. In all these analyses, BA explained most of the variance in TBMC and TBMD. No significant reduction of variance was found when different measures of social conditions, smoking, food habits, alcohol or dietary intakes of energy, calcium or vitamin D were included in the models. The reason why region of domicile had a significant impact on TBMC in the 17-y-olds is not known. The fact that the normal fluoride concentration in drinking water (1.1 mg/L) is 10 times higher in the region where TBMC was higher than in the other region is an interesting observation.

Conclusion: Almost 90% of the variance in TBMC and 50% of that in TBMD was explained by measures of bone and body size and only a few percent by gender, physical activity, Tanner stage, growth and region of domicile.     

The potential role of rapamycin in pediatric transplantation as observed from adult studies

Although pediatric patient and renal graft survival rates have shown marked improvements during the past decade, the persistent toxicities of immunosuppressive drugs and chronic allograft attrition remain major obstacles in transplant therapy. Results in adult patients suggest that complete steroid withdrawal is possible in the majority of recipients under treatment with a cyclosporin A-rapamycin (CsA RAPA) regimen. Furthermore, preliminary studies suggest that a marked reduction in the dose of CsA may be possible under the umbrella of RAPA coverage. The gain in immunosuppressive efficacy afforded by RAPA has not only been obtained without an increased morbidity owing to infectious or neoplastic causes, but also with the potential for reducing the incidence and/or progression of chronic rejection.     

VARICELLA ZOSTER VIRUS INFECTIONS IN THE PEDIATRIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANT PATIENT

Varicella zoster virus (VZV), a member of the human herpesvirus family, causes the clinical syndromes of chickenpox during primary infection and shingles on later reactivation. In immunocompromised patients, including those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, VZV can produce life-threatening infections. The most serious forms of VZV infection involve hematogenous dissemination of the virus to vital organs, such as the lung, brain, and liver. Advances in immunoprophylaxis, antiviral chemotherapy, and vaccine development have provided effective tools to limit the morbidity and mortality previously associated with VZV infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. In this review, we discuss virologic aspects of VZV, pathogenesis of VZV infection, methods of viral diagnosis, clinical manifestations of infection in both normal and immunocompromised patients, and available preventative and therapeutic measures.     

Génétique des schizophrénies : mise en perspective des schizophrénies à début précoce et autres pathologies du développement

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe brain disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, flat and/or inappropriate affect and cognitive impairment. The lifetime risk is about 0.5% with heritability of 65–85%. The prevalence of early-onset schizophrenia (defined here as before 15 years of age) has not been well studied, but is likely to be 5–10% of all cases. The rarity of early-onset SCZ has made it difficult to study. We focus on genetic studies of adults with schizophrenia, highlighting results for early-onset schizophrenia where available. Prior to the past 5 years, studies failed to find replicable association or linkage between SCZ and specific genes when appropriate statistical corrections for multiple testing were used. Many false positive results were probably reported using the candidate gene approach. Recently, the development of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) “chips” has permitted large genome-wide association study (GWAS) analyses that suggest that across all age groups, a proportion of genetic risk can be attributed to a large number of common SNP, each with a very small effect on risk (odds ratios of 1.1 or less). The greatest known genetic effect is conferred by the 1.5–3 Mb 22q.11.2 deletions, which occurs in ∼ 1/4000–1/6000 births with SCZ developing in 20–30% of carriers. Large SNP and aCGH microarray studies have now identified associations between SCZ and other rare, large copy number variations (CNV, insertions and deletions) with high odds ratios (5–10), including deletions of 1q21, 2p16.3 (neurexin-1 gene), 3q29 and 15q13.3, and duplications of 16p11.2. Some of these CNV are also associated with autism or other developmental disorders as well as epilepsy or intellectual deficiency, suggesting some overlap in the mechanisms that contribute to risks of these disorders. Based on preliminary data from larger-scale analyses in progress, approximately 1–2% of cases carry a CNV that has been clearly associated with SCZ (ORs 4–12). Whole exome and genome sequencing studies of large adult samples will be the next steps to identify rarer SCZ-associated mutations, including point mutations and smaller as well as rarer CNV. Genetic findings are beginning to contribute to an understanding of biological mechanisms of SCZ risk and may lead to new approaches to treatment.     

INACTIVATION OF PULMONARY SURFACTANT AND THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE LUNG INJURIES

Inactivation of pulmonary surfactant may be important in acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Treatment of surfactant dysfunction by instilling exogenous surfactants may improve gas exchange and pulmonary mechanics. Surfactants used for treatment vary in their attributes and effects, so when various surfactants are considered for therapy, resistance to inactivation is an important consideration. Animal models of acute lung injury exist in which the relative merits of surfactants can be compared. We hypothesize that the surfactants most resistant to inactivation in vitro will be the ones that are most effective in treatment of animal models of acute lung injury. Surfactants with higher concentrations of surfactant proteins (specifically A, B, and C) are more resistant to inactivation. Nonionic polymers mimic surfactant proteins in preventing surfactant inactivation under some conditions. Adding nonionic polymers to surfactant containing minimal amounts of SP-B and SP-C markedly improves lung function of animals with lung injury. Making surfactants more "inactivation-proof" may improve surfactant therapy of acute lung injuries.     

Plasma Proinsulin and C-Peptide Concentrations in Children with Hyperinsulinaemic Hypoglycaemia

ABSTRACT. Plasma concentrations of proinsulin and C-peptide were measured in five children presenting with svere hypoglycaemia associated with elevated plasma levels of immunoreactive insulin (IRI) in order to determine whether the profile of circulating B-cell products related to the underlying pathophysiology of the pancreas. Results were compared with data from 13 normal infants. Four children, three neonates and a nine year old girl, were subjected to partial or total pancreatectomy. The neonates had nesidioblastosis, nesidioblastosis with a microadenoma, and a functional abnormality without histological derangement respectively; the older child had a localised adenoma. The remaining child, a neonate, had transient hypoglycaemia and elevated IRI levels associated with hyperlactataemia and hyperalaninae-mia. All the children had markedly elevated plasma proinsulin concentrations; the highest levels were seen in the child with an isolated adenoma and in the neonate with nesidioblastosis and a microadenoma. Both of these children also had substantially elevated plasma C-peptide concentrations. The remaining three neonates had plasma C-peptide levels, which although in the normal range for normoglycaemia were inappropriately elevated during hypoglycaemia. It is concluded that elevated proinsulin and C-peptide concentrations are seen in children with hypoglycaemia associated with increased plasma IRI levels and that the profile of the concentrations does not provide a reliable marker for the nature of the underlying pancreatic abnormality.     

Growth tracks in early childhood

Aim: Child growth is modulated by numerous factors and, particularly in infancy and early childhood, often tends to follow apparently irregular patterns, with many centiles crossed before the later growth channels are reached. The aim of this study was to visualize the diversity of individual growth. Design: The study investigated 333 girls and 329 boys without chronic illnesses from four paediatric practices in Kiel, Germany. The children were measured on natural     

Residual pulmonary hypertension in children after treatment with inhaled nitric oxide: a follow-up study regarding cardiopulmonary and neurological symptoms

Inhaled nitric oxide is a potent vasodilator in acute severe pulmonary hypertension and is increasingly used as rescue treatment in intensive care algorithms aiming at reducing severe hypoxaemia in neonates and children. Although the immediate effects may seem impressive, longterm outcome regarding residual pulmonary hypertension and other sequelae has been studied in only a very few patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate residual pulmonary hypertension, cardiopulmonary or neurological symptoms in children after treatment with inhaled nitric oxide in severely hypoxaemic and/or pulmonary hypertensive mechanically ventilated children. The study was performed in four paediatric intensive care units in university hospitals in Sweden, Norway and Australia. Patients who had received inhaled nitric oxide as part of their intensive care treatment for severe hypoxaemia and/or pulmonary hypertension, and in whom 6 mo had elapsed since treatment, were included for evaluation. Thus 36 paediatric or neonatal patients were examined for circulatory, respiratory or neurological disorders with clinical examination, echocardiography, chest X-ray and a capillary blood sample. Four patients with congenital heart disease had residual pulmonary hypertension. Nine patients were receiving bronchodilators. Sixteen patients had minor (n = 15) or moderate (n = 1) changes on a chest X-ray. One patient had a possible delay in psychomotor development. Conclusions: In spite of the severity of their primary illness, we found that the overwhelming majority of the surviving children were asymptomatic and doing well. The few residual circulatory and respiratory symptoms could be related to the initial condition.