Inherited disorders of neurotransmitter metabolism are rare neurodevelopmental diseases presenting with movement disorders and global developmental delay. This study presents the results of the first standardized deep phenotyping approach and describes the clinical and biochemical presentation at disease onset as well as diagnostic approaches of 275 patients from the registry of the International Working Group on Neurotransmitter related Disorders. The results reveal an increased rate of prematurity, a high risk for being small for gestational age and for congenital microcephaly in some disorders. Age at diagnosis and the diagnostic delay are influenced by the diagnostic methods applied and by disease-specific symptoms. The timepoint of investigation was also a significant factor: delay to diagnosis has decreased in recent years, possibly due to novel diagnostic approaches or raised awareness. Although each disorder has a specific biochemical pattern, we observed confounding exceptions to the rule. The data provide comprehensive insights into the phenotypic spectrum of neurotransmitter disorders.
Background
The causes for intrinsic tooth discoloration can be separated into two categories as systemic and local. Systemic causes are either genetic or drug‐induced effects. The development of dentition can also be affected by a number of systemic factors and metabolic diseases such as porphyria. Congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP), also known as Gunther's disease, is a metabolic disease caused by a transformation in the gene that codifies uroporphyrinogen‐3 synthesis, leading to porphyrin aggregation in urine, skin, bone, and dentin.
Case Report
A 21‐month‐old girl with erythrodontia was referred to Paediatric Dentistry Department in September 2017. A physical examination revealed blisters on her face, nose, hands, and feet. Laboratory findings showed highly elevated urine total uroporphyrin and total coproporphyrin I and III levels. Next‐generation sequencing multigene panel testing for porphyria demonstrated a homozygous c.10C>T (p.L4F) mutation in the UROS gene. For curative therapy, the patient was admitted to the allogeneic bone marrow transplantation program.
Conclusion
Congenital erythropoietic porphyria most commonly presents in the first few years of life. Manifestations can include reddish‐colored urine, skin blistering, scarring, and erythrodontia. A timely diagnosis can prevent undesirable skin findings of the disease and death due to hematological involvement before a curative allogeneic bone marrow transplantation is performed.
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