The first living newborn case with 7706G˃A missense mutation: Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome

Abstract

Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome (AHS) is an uncommon autosomal recessive mitochondrial DNA depletion disease. The classic clinical triad of progressive developmental regression, liver degeneration, and seizures helps define the disorder, but a wide range of clinical expressions occur. The most common mutations in childhood have been identified in the cytochrome c oxidase Ⅰ and Ⅳ genes. The 7706G˃A missense mutation in the Cox Ⅱ gene was previously reported in one case after postmortem histological study. Consequently, our patient is the first patient diagnosed with AHS with a 7706G˃A missense mutation in the Cox Ⅱ gene while alive. We proposed that 7706G˃A missense mutation is rare and should be more lethal than other mutations that cause Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome.