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Pyruvate dehydrogenase E1-alpha deficiency(PDHAD)

MedGen UID:
326486
Concept ID:
C1839413
Disease or Syndrome
Synonyms: ATAXIA WITH LACTIC ACIDOSIS I; ATAXIA, INTERMITTENT, WITH ABNORMAL PYRUVATE METABOLISM; ATAXIA, INTERMITTENT, WITH PYRUVATE DEHYDROGENASE DEFICIENCY; Ataxia, intermittent, with pyruvate dehydrogenase, or decarboxylase, deficiency; PDHAD; X-linked Leigh syndrome
Modes of inheritance:
X-linked dominant inheritance
MedGen UID:
376232
Concept ID:
C1847879
Finding
Source: Orphanet
A mode of inheritance that is observed for dominant traits related to a gene encoded on the X chromosome. In the context of medical genetics, X-linked dominant disorders tend to manifest very severely in affected males. The severity of manifestation in females may depend on the degree of skewed X inactivation.
 
Gene (location): PDHA1 (Xp22.12)
 
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0010717
OMIM®: 312170
Orphanet: ORPHA79243

Definition

Genetic defects in the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex are one of the most common causes of primary lactic acidosis in children. Most cases are caused by mutation in the E1-alpha subunit gene on the X chromosome. X-linked PDH deficiency is one of the few X-linked diseases in which a high proportion of heterozygous females manifest severe symptoms. The clinical spectrum of PDH deficiency is broad, ranging from fatal lactic acidosis in the newborn to chronic neurologic dysfunction with structural abnormalities in the central nervous system without systemic acidosis (Robinson et al., 1987; Brown et al., 1994). Genetic Heterogeneity of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency PDH deficiency can also be caused by mutation in other subunits of the PDH complex, including a form (PDHXD; 245349) caused by mutation in the component X gene (PDHX; 608769) on chromosome 11p13; a form (PDHBD; 614111) caused by mutation in the PDHB gene (179060) on chromosome 3p14; a form (PDHDD; 245348) caused by mutation in the DLAT gene (608770) on chromosome 11q23; a form (PDHPD; 608782) caused by mutation in the PDP1 gene (605993) on chromosome 8q22; and a form (PDHLD; 614462) caused by mutation in the LIAS gene (607031) on chromosome 4p14. [from OMIM]

Additional description

From MedlinePlus Genetics
Pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency is characterized by the buildup of a chemical called lactic acid in the body and a variety of neurological problems. Signs and symptoms of this condition usually first appear shortly after birth, and they can vary widely among affected individuals. The most common feature is a potentially life-threatening buildup of lactic acid (lactic acidosis), which can cause nausea, vomiting, severe breathing problems, and an abnormal heartbeat. People with pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency usually have neurological problems as well. Most have delayed development of mental abilities and motor skills such as sitting and walking. Other neurological problems can include intellectual disability, seizures, weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor coordination, and difficulty walking. Some affected individuals have abnormal brain structures, such as underdevelopment of the tissue connecting the left and right halves of the brain (corpus callosum), wasting away (atrophy) of the exterior part of the brain known as the cerebral cortex, or patches of damaged tissue (lesions) on some parts of the brain. Because of the severe health effects, many individuals with pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency do not survive past childhood, although some may live into adolescence or adulthood.  https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/pyruvate-dehydrogenase-deficiency

Clinical features

From HPO
Small for gestational age
MedGen UID:
65920
Concept ID:
C0235991
Finding
Smaller than normal size according to sex and gestational age related norms, defined as a weight below the 10th percentile for the gestational age.
Dystonic disorder
MedGen UID:
3940
Concept ID:
C0013421
Sign or Symptom
An abnormally increased muscular tone that causes fixed abnormal postures. There is a slow, intermittent twisting motion that leads to exaggerated turning and posture of the extremities and trunk.
Lethargy
MedGen UID:
7310
Concept ID:
C0023380
Sign or Symptom
A state of disinterest, listlessness, and indifference, resulting in difficulty performing simple tasks or concentrating.
Myoclonus
MedGen UID:
10234
Concept ID:
C0027066
Finding
Very brief, involuntary random muscular contractions occurring at rest, in response to sensory stimuli, or accompanying voluntary movements.
Seizure
MedGen UID:
20693
Concept ID:
C0036572
Sign or Symptom
A seizure is an intermittent abnormality of nervous system physiology characterized by a transient occurrence of signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain.
Tremor
MedGen UID:
21635
Concept ID:
C0040822
Sign or Symptom
An unintentional, oscillating to-and-fro muscle movement about a joint axis.
Choreoathetosis
MedGen UID:
39313
Concept ID:
C0085583
Disease or Syndrome
Involuntary movements characterized by both athetosis (inability to sustain muscles in a fixed position) and chorea (widespread jerky arrhythmic movements).
Corpus callosum, agenesis of
MedGen UID:
104498
Concept ID:
C0175754
Congenital Abnormality
The corpus callosum is the largest fiber tract in the central nervous system and the major interhemispheric fiber bundle in the brain. Formation of the corpus callosum begins as early as 6 weeks' gestation, with the first fibers crossing the midline at 11 to 12 weeks' gestation, and completion of the basic shape by age 18 to 20 weeks (Schell-Apacik et al., 2008). Agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) is one of the most frequent malformations in brain with a reported incidence ranging between 0.5 and 70 in 10,000 births. ACC is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous condition, which can be observed either as an isolated condition or as a manifestation in the context of a congenital syndrome (see MOLECULAR GENETICS and Dobyns, 1996). Also see mirror movements-1 and/or agenesis of the corpus callosum (MRMV1; 157600). Schell-Apacik et al. (2008) noted that there is confusion in the literature regarding radiologic terminology concerning partial absence of the corpus callosum, where various designations have been used, including hypogenesis, hypoplasia, partial agenesis, or dysgenesis.
Cerebral atrophy
MedGen UID:
116012
Concept ID:
C0235946
Disease or Syndrome
Atrophy (wasting, decrease in size of cells or tissue) affecting the cerebrum.
Global developmental delay
MedGen UID:
107838
Concept ID:
C0557874
Finding
A delay in the achievement of motor or mental milestones in the domains of development of a child, including motor skills, speech and language, cognitive skills, and social and emotional skills. This term should only be used to describe children younger than five years of age.
Increased CSF lactate
MedGen UID:
257904
Concept ID:
C1167918
Finding
Increased concentration of lactate in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Hereditary episodic ataxia
MedGen UID:
314033
Concept ID:
C1720189
Disease or Syndrome
Periodic spells of incoordination and imbalance, that is, episodes of ataxia typically lasting from 10 minutes to several hours or days.
Basal ganglia cysts
MedGen UID:
332402
Concept ID:
C1837251
Disease or Syndrome
Ventriculomegaly
MedGen UID:
480553
Concept ID:
C3278923
Finding
An increase in size of the ventricular system of the brain.
Intellectual disability
MedGen UID:
811461
Concept ID:
C3714756
Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction
Intellectual disability, previously referred to as mental retardation, is characterized by subnormal intellectual functioning that occurs during the developmental period. It is defined by an IQ score below 70.
Hypotonia
MedGen UID:
10133
Concept ID:
C0026827
Finding
Hypotonia is an abnormally low muscle tone (the amount of tension or resistance to movement in a muscle). Even when relaxed, muscles have a continuous and passive partial contraction which provides some resistance to passive stretching. Hypotonia thus manifests as diminished resistance to passive stretching. Hypotonia is not the same as muscle weakness, although the two conditions can co-exist.
Frontal bossing
MedGen UID:
67453
Concept ID:
C0221354
Congenital Abnormality
Bilateral bulging of the lateral frontal bone prominences with relative sparing of the midline.
Generalized hypotonia
MedGen UID:
346841
Concept ID:
C1858120
Finding
Generalized muscular hypotonia (abnormally low muscle tone).
Microcephaly
MedGen UID:
1644158
Concept ID:
C4551563
Finding
Head circumference below 2 standard deviations below the mean for age and gender.
Respiratory failure
MedGen UID:
257837
Concept ID:
C1145670
Disease or Syndrome
A severe form of respiratory insufficiency characterized by inadequate gas exchange such that the levels of oxygen or carbon dioxide cannot be maintained within normal limits.
Apneic episodes precipitated by illness, fatigue, stress
MedGen UID:
812792
Concept ID:
C3806462
Finding
Recurrent episodes of apnea that are precipitated by factors such as illness, fatigue, or stress.
Lactic acidosis
MedGen UID:
1717
Concept ID:
C0001125
Disease or Syndrome
An abnormal buildup of lactic acid in the body, leading to acidification of the blood and other bodily fluids.
Metabolic acidosis
MedGen UID:
65117
Concept ID:
C0220981
Pathologic Function
Metabolic acidosis (MA) is characterized by a fall in blood pH due to a reduction of serum bicarbonate concentration. This can occur as a result of either the accumulation of acids (high anion gap MA) or the loss of bicarbonate from the gastrointestinal tract or the kidney (hyperchloremic MA). By definition, MA is not due to a respirary cause.
Hyper-beta-alaninemia
MedGen UID:
75702
Concept ID:
C0268630
Disease or Syndrome
An increased concentration of alanine in the blood.
Increased circulating lactate concentration
MedGen UID:
332209
Concept ID:
C1836440
Finding
Abnormally increased level of blood lactate (2-hydroxypropanoic acid). Lactate is produced from pyruvate by lactate dehydrogenase during normal metabolism. The terms lactate and lactic acid are often used interchangeably but lactate (the component measured in blood) is strictly a weak base whereas lactic acid is the corresponding acid. Lactic acidosis is often used clinically to describe elevated lactate but should be reserved for cases where there is a corresponding acidosis (pH below 7.35).
Severe lactic acidosis
MedGen UID:
374223
Concept ID:
C1839436
Finding
A severe form of lactic acidemia.
Chronic lactic acidosis
MedGen UID:
374224
Concept ID:
C1839437
Disease or Syndrome
A chronic form of lactic acidemia.
Increased serum pyruvate
MedGen UID:
376596
Concept ID:
C1849488
Finding
An increased concentration of pyruvate in the blood.
Abnormal facial shape
MedGen UID:
98409
Concept ID:
C0424503
Finding
An abnormal morphology (form) of the face or its components.
Anteverted nares
MedGen UID:
326648
Concept ID:
C1840077
Finding
Anteriorly-facing nostrils viewed with the head in the Frankfurt horizontal and the eyes of the observer level with the eyes of the subject. This gives the appearance of an upturned nose (upturned nasal tip).
Wide nasal bridge
MedGen UID:
341441
Concept ID:
C1849367
Finding
Increased breadth of the nasal bridge (and with it, the nasal root).
Long philtrum
MedGen UID:
351278
Concept ID:
C1865014
Finding
Distance between nasal base and midline upper lip vermilion border more than 2 SD above the mean. Alternatively, an apparently increased distance between nasal base and midline upper lip vermilion border.
Flared nostrils
MedGen UID:
1636028
Concept ID:
C4551517
Finding
Ptosis
MedGen UID:
2287
Concept ID:
C0005745
Disease or Syndrome
The upper eyelid margin is positioned 3 mm or more lower than usual and covers the superior portion of the iris (objective); or, the upper lid margin obscures at least part of the pupil (subjective).
Abnormality of eye movement
MedGen UID:
99227
Concept ID:
C0497202
Finding
An abnormality in voluntary or involuntary eye movements or their control.
Decreased activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex
MedGen UID:
326605
Concept ID:
C1839888
Finding

Term Hierarchy

CClinical test,  RResearch test,  OOMIM,  GGeneReviews,  VClinVar  

Recent clinical studies

Diagnosis

Tanner LM, Tynninen O, Piippo K, Puhakka AM
Prenat Diagn 2023 Jun;43(6):730-733. Epub 2023 May 16 doi: 10.1002/pd.6349. PMID: 37160702
Ah Mew N, Loewenstein JB, Kadom N, Lichter-Konecki U, Gropman AL, Martin JM, Vanderver A
Pediatr Neurol 2011 Jul;45(1):57-9. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2011.02.003. PMID: 21723463Free PMC Article
Michotte A, De Meirleir L, Lissens W, Denis R, Wayenberg JL, Liebaers I, Brucher JM
Acta Neuropathol 1993;85(6):674-8. doi: 10.1007/BF00334680. PMID: 8337946
Brown GK
J Inherit Metab Dis 1992;15(4):625-33. doi: 10.1007/BF01799619. PMID: 1528021

Prognosis

Cardozo AK, De Meirleir L, Liebaers I, Lissens W
Pediatr Res 2000 Dec;48(6):748-53. doi: 10.1203/00006450-200012000-00008. PMID: 11102541

Clinical prediction guides

Tanner LM, Tynninen O, Piippo K, Puhakka AM
Prenat Diagn 2023 Jun;43(6):730-733. Epub 2023 May 16 doi: 10.1002/pd.6349. PMID: 37160702
Cardozo AK, De Meirleir L, Liebaers I, Lissens W
Pediatr Res 2000 Dec;48(6):748-53. doi: 10.1203/00006450-200012000-00008. PMID: 11102541
Michotte A, De Meirleir L, Lissens W, Denis R, Wayenberg JL, Liebaers I, Brucher JM
Acta Neuropathol 1993;85(6):674-8. doi: 10.1007/BF00334680. PMID: 8337946

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