Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The phenylketonuria - quality of life (PKU-QOL) questionnaire was developed to assess the impact of phenylketonuria (PKU) and its treatment on the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients and their caregivers. Available in four versions (child, adolescent, adult and parent), it was developed and validated in eight countries. The objective of this study was to linguistically validate the PKU-QOL questionnaire in Brazilian Portuguese for use in Brazil by clinicians who take care of PKU patients. The translation method used a standard linguistic validation process. The British English version served as a basis for translation. No major cultural or semantic issues were found during the process. The main difficulty was the use of the acronym “PKU” in the first translations. During the cognitive interviews, respondents made the confusion between the disease itself and the food supplement since it is written “PKU” or “COMIDA-PKU” on the packaging of the product. To overcome this issue, it was decided to use fenilcetonuria (fenil) or fenil alone throughout all versions. The PKU-QOL will be valuable for Brazilian healthcare providers in individualizing treatment and managing patients with PKU.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is a long term treatment for patients who suffer from lysosomal storage disease. A transversal descriptive study was conducted to evaluate advantages and disadvantages of a home-based care program for patients with Gaucher, Fabry and Mucopolysaccharidosis II (MPS II) diseases. A survey among patients and nurses involved in healthcare delivery at home was utilized for this study. The adherence rate was 92.9% over the study period. Eighty six point nine percent chose to carry out the treatment at home and 88.5% felt that their quality of life had improved. Additional advantages reported were: comfort (77%), treatment adjustment to daily activities (69%) and flexibility (58%). Disadvantages expressed were: lack of confidence with the health care provider at home (1.6%) and a shortage of disposable materials available (1.6%). The main benefits of home-based treatment were the high treatment adherence and the improvement in quality of life.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a relatively uncommon group of inherited metabolic disorders, with significant negative implications for life span and aspects of quality of life. Their rarity means that producing evidence to guide best practice has often entailed assimilating findings from multiple studies. Core outcome sets (COS) are being increasingly used across medicine as a potential solution to the problems arising from heterogeneous reporting of outcomes in effectiveness studies. A COS is a recommended minimum set of outcomes that should be measured for a given condition in an effectiveness study, with the ultimate aim of increasing the value of clinical information by enabling meaningful comparison and combination of data from various sources. A systematic review identified 41 outcomes measured in published studies and ongoing and completed clinical trials, with individual outcomes being measured using a variety of measurement instruments/tools. This work represents the important initial steps in the development of COS for head, neck, and respiratory disorders in MPS type II, raising awareness of the extent of heterogeneity in outcome reporting and determining the scope of outcomes and corresponding instruments currently used. The next step will be to use the generated “longlist” of outcomes to develop an electronic Delphi prioritization exercise with the intention of reaching a consensus regarding the most important outcomes to measure in effectiveness studies for head, neck, and respiratory disease in MPS type II.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency (ISOD) is a devastating, neurometabolic disorder caused by mutations in the SUOX gene necessary for the final step in the sulfur-containing amino acid catabolic pathway. Patients classically present in the neonatal period with neurologic manifestations. Biochemical findings include elevated sulfocysteine, low cystine and undetectable homocysteine with normal uric acid levels. Other associated biochemical markers include elevated plasma alpha-aminoadipic semialdehyde and piperideine-6-carboxylic acid. We report a patient with classic neonatal onset ISOD (refractory seizures, hypertonicity, brain abnormalities, pathogenic SUOX mutations). Her clinical course was marked by extreme irritability, prompting the use of a low methionine and cystine diet to decrease toxic metabolites thought to be contributing to her symptoms. Biochemical markers and extreme irritability improved with dietary treatment (methionine=30mg/kg/day). She died of sepsis in early infancy, precluding long term follow-up. This case reviews the potential benefits and limitations of diet therapy in this rare disorder.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) constitute a heterogeneous group of rare genetic disorders caused by enzymatic deficiencies that lead to the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Clinical observations suggest a health-related impairment in quality of life in patients with MPS. Professionals with extensive experience in the care of patients with inborn errors of metabolism, such as MPS, held a meeting in April 2017 to discuss and propose recommendations for the evaluation and management of quality of life in MPS patients in Latin America. In the light of this scenario, the present work summarizes the content of the discussions and presents the recommendations produced at the meeting. The panel had suggested the use of the following tools for the assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL): Children's Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) for children and patients unable to express their feelings, Health Assessments Questionnaire (HAQ) and EuroQol 5 Domains (EQ-5D) scales for adult patients. Based on the scores verified in these scales, the panel proposes interventions that aim reducing the impairment of the quality of life in patients with MPS disorders.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Leigh syndrome is a devastating neurodegenerative disease, typically manifesting in infancy or early childhood. Hallmarks of the disease are symmetrical lesions in the basal ganglia or brain stem on MRI, and a clinical course with rapid deterioration of cognitive and motor functions. It is genetically heterogeneous, causative mutations have been disclosed in mitochondrial DNA and nuclear genes involved in the process of energy production in the mitochondria .We investigated the whole mitochondrial DNA in three Brazilian patients with LS, based on their clinical and biochemical data, with the aim to identify the disease-causing mutations. In two of the patients, with complex I deficiency, a novel heteroplasmic variant m.4142G>T (p.R279L) in MT-ND1 and a recurrent homoplasmic mutation m.10197G>A (p.A47T) in MT-ND3 were identified. In the remaining patient, with complex IV deficiency, a de novo heteroplasmic variant in MT-CO1 m.6547T>C (p.L215P) was found. The molecular investigation in mitochondrial diseases have shifted their focus from mitochondrial DNA to nuclear DNA, however, mtDNA protein-coding genes are one of the important genetic causes of mitochondrial disorders for Leigh syndrome. This study expands the molecular and clinical spectrum associated with this disease.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The aim of this study is to evaluate the Nicaraguan screening program for congenital hypothyroidism in terms of coverage and effectiveness of detection and confirmation of cases with the condition throughout a decade. Thyrotropin was quantified in cord-blood samples by a validated ELISA and a cut-off of 20 mU/l was applied. Coverage, positive predictive value, recall rate and prevalence were retrospectively analysed. Babies with positive screening results were contacted for confirmation by means of determination of thyrotropin and thyroid profile in serum samples. 272,338 babies were screened during the period 2005-2015. The mean coverage reached by the program in the participating departments was 71%, with a positive predictive value of 83% and a recall rate of 0.055%. Eighty cases of congenital hypothyroidism were identified, representing an incidence of 1 in 3229 live births, most of them (81%) being severe. The performance of the Nicaraguan screening program is comparable to those in Latin America also using cord-blood samples. The incidence of congenital hypothyroidism is within the low range of other countries worldwide. Strategies are needed to expand the program to the whole country, improve recall rates and achieve earlier treatment of babies, with the condition.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract CLN2 disease (neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2) is a rare, genetic, paediatric-onset, neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder characterised by seizures, ataxia, rapid loss of motor function and language ability, dementia, visual loss and early death. Physiotherapy plays an important role in the management of CLN2 disease, aiming to maintain the best possible functioning and autonomy of the child, support the child’s participation in everyday life, limit secondary complications and maintain or improve quality of life. This article discusses the physiotherapeutic treatment of children diagnosed with CLN2 disease. Based on the author’s clinical experience, frequent muscular impairments associated with CLN2 disease, their impact on affected children’s sensorimotor abilities and autonomy, and physiotherapy interventions are described. Common muscular deficits included abnormal muscle tone leading to poor trunk control, difficulty standing upright, often accompanied by equinus contractures and movement disorders such as myoclonus. The use of orthotic and adaptive medical devices that support an erect posture in locomotion and positioning appear to be particularly beneficial for prolonging sensorimotor control, communication and food intake. In conclusion, early initiation of physiotherapy is recommended and should include the provision of adaptive walking, standing, sitting and positioning aids.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Phenylketonuria (PKU, OMIM 261600) is predominantly caused by mutations in the PAH gene. One hundred and three Argentine PKU patients were studied by Sanger sequencing; 101 were completely characterized (90.3% were compound heterozygotes). Fifty-four different pathogenic variants were identified. Mutations were distributed all along the PAH gene but concentrated in exon 7 (26%), 12 (12%), 11 (10%), and 6 (10%). 77% were missense, and 77% affected the enzyme catalytic domain, nine mutations accounted for 57% of 179 studied alleles: p.Arg261Gln (Allele frequency(AF):10.6%), c.1066-11G>A (AF:9,5%), p.Arg408Trp (AF:8,3%), p.Tyr414Cys (AF:5,5%), p.Ala403Val, p.Val388Met, and p.Arg158Gln (AF: 5% each), p.Leu48Ser, and p.Ile65Thr (AF:4% each). The predicted phenotype was assigned by Guldberg´s arbitrary value (AV) and compared with the clinical phenotype based in tolerance to Phe intake. 29.1% (n:30) were hyperphenylalaninemias, 18.5% (n:19) mild-PKU, 27.2% (n:28) moderate-PKU and 25.2 % (n:26) classical-PKU. Genotype/phenotype correlation was statistically significant (p<0.001) Overall concordance was 62,5%: 93.3% in hyperphenylalaninemia, 64.7% in mild-PKU and 65.4% in classical patients. The moderate-PKU showed a weak concordance (17%) with milder AV prediction than clinical assessment. 74% of discordant moderate patients harbored p.Arg261Gln, and p.Val388Met. Our cohort is highly heterogeneous, with predominant Mediterranean influence (mainly Spanish), but with differences with other Latin-American countries.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Genetic homocystinurias are a group of inborn errors of metabolism that result in the massive excretion of homocysteine (Hcy) in the urine due to Hcy accumulation in the body, usually causing neurological and cardiovascular complications. The three most frequent causes are classical homocystinuria [deficiency of cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS)], methylmalonic aciduria with homocystinuria, cblC type (cblC deficiency) and severe methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency. In this review, we highlight the similarities and differences among these disorders. Briefly, their joint manifestation is the accumulation of tHcy, however, the other sulfur amino acids show various and even invers profiles. Vascular disease, developmental delay and seizures are found in all homocystinurias, nevertheless, the complications of CNS differ in a wide variety of presentations and severities and are apparently less pronounced in CBS deficiency. Moreover, patients with remethylation defects typically do not present ectopia lentis and bone disturbances, tall stature and osteoporosis. Whereas hematological alterations, such as megaloblastic anemia, thrombocytopenia neutropenia and life-threatening microangiopathy, are specific findings of cblC deficiency.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Introduction: Newborn Screening Program (NBS) in Uruguay includes congenital hypothyroidism (CHT), phenylketonuria (PKU), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), cystic fibrosis (CF), medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD), and Congenital Hearing Loss (CHL). Objetives: This study describe the epidemiological characteristics of newborns with abnormal neonatal screening tests diagnosed by blood drop and otoacoustic emissions in Uruguay. Results: Cases with abnormal NBS tests (399 newborns; 0.17%) were compared to the newborns with normal tests in the same period (239,240). Prevalence rates (per 10,000 livebirths) were 10.00 for CHL; 3.70 for CH; 1.20 for CF; 0.59 for CAH; 0.54 for PKU; 0.13 for MCADD. The Department of Artigas had the highest rate of abnormal tests. Lower maternal education, less prenatal care, increased prematurity rate and neonatal depression were more frequent in in mothers whose children had CHL. Conclusions: This is the first study evaluating the characteristics of newborns with abnormal screening in Uruguay. Because these results may impact the planning of health services, data transmission between clinical care and public health systems is needed to improve both follow-up and management.