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Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, 49(DEE49)

MedGen UID:
934602
Concept ID:
C4310635
Disease or Syndrome
Synonyms: DEE49; Epileptic encephalopathy, early infantile, 49
 
Gene (location): DENND5A (11p15.4)
 
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0015002
OMIM®: 617281

Definition

Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy-49 (DEE49) is a severe autosomal recessive neurologic disorder characterized by onset of seizures in the neonatal period, global developmental delay with intellectual disability and lack of speech, hypotonia, spasticity, and coarse facial features. Some patients may have brain calcifications on imaging (summary by Han et al., 2016). For a general phenotypic description and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of DEE, see 308350. [from OMIM]

Clinical features

From HPO
Macrotia
MedGen UID:
488785
Concept ID:
C0152421
Congenital Abnormality
Median longitudinal ear length greater than two standard deviations above the mean and median ear width greater than two standard deviations above the mean (objective); or, apparent increase in length and width of the pinna (subjective).
Anxiety
MedGen UID:
1613
Concept ID:
C0003467
Finding
Intense feelings of nervousness, tension, or panic often arise in response to interpersonal stresses. There is worry about the negative effects of past unpleasant experiences and future negative possibilities. Individuals may feel fearful, apprehensive, or threatened by uncertainty, and they may also have fears of falling apart or losing control.
Hydrocephalus
MedGen UID:
9335
Concept ID:
C0020255
Disease or Syndrome
Hydrocephalus is an active distension of the ventricular system of the brain resulting from inadequate passage of CSF from its point of production within the cerebral ventricles to its point of absorption into the systemic circulation.
Spasticity
MedGen UID:
7753
Concept ID:
C0026838
Sign or Symptom
A motor disorder characterized by a velocity-dependent increase in tonic stretch reflexes with increased muscle tone, exaggerated (hyperexcitable) tendon reflexes.
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.
Arachnoid cyst
MedGen UID:
86860
Concept ID:
C0078981
Disease or Syndrome
An extra-parenchymal and intra-arachnoidal collection of fluid with a composition similar to that of cerebrospinal fluid.
EEG abnormality
MedGen UID:
56235
Concept ID:
C0151611
Finding
Abnormality observed by electroencephalogram (EEG), which is used to record of the brain's spontaneous electrical activity from multiple electrodes placed on the scalp.
Hyperreflexia
MedGen UID:
57738
Concept ID:
C0151889
Finding
Hyperreflexia is the presence of hyperactive stretch reflexes of the muscles.
Clonic seizure
MedGen UID:
66708
Concept ID:
C0234535
Disease or Syndrome
A clonic seizure is a type of motor seizure characterized by sustained rhythmic jerking, that is regularly repetitive.
Tonic seizure
MedGen UID:
82855
Concept ID:
C0270844
Disease or Syndrome
A tonic seizure is a type of motor seizure characterized by unilateral or bilateral limb stiffening or elevation, often with neck stiffening.
Hyperactivity
MedGen UID:
98406
Concept ID:
C0424295
Finding
Hyperactivity is a condition characterized by constant and unusually high levels of activity, even in situations where it is deemed inappropriate.
Spastic tetraplegia
MedGen UID:
98433
Concept ID:
C0426970
Disease or Syndrome
Spastic paralysis affecting all four limbs.
Dysplastic corpus callosum
MedGen UID:
98128
Concept ID:
C0431369
Congenital Abnormality
Dysplasia and dysgenesis of the corpus callosum are nonspecific descriptions that imply defective development of the corpus callosum. The term dysplasia is applied when the morphology of the corpus callosum is altered as a congenital trait. For instance, the corpus callosum may be hump-shaped, kinked, or a striped corpus callosum that lacks an anatomically distinct genu and splenium.
Bilateral tonic-clonic seizure
MedGen UID:
141670
Concept ID:
C0494475
Sign or Symptom
A bilateral tonic-clonic seizure is a seizure defined by a tonic (bilateral increased tone, lasting seconds to minutes) and then a clonic (bilateral sustained rhythmic jerking) phase.
Epileptic encephalopathy
MedGen UID:
452596
Concept ID:
C0543888
Disease or Syndrome
A condition in which epileptiform abnormalities are believed to contribute to the progressive disturbance in cerebral function. Epileptic encephalaopathy is characterized by (1) electrographic EEG paroxysmal activity that is often aggressive, (2) seizures that are usually multiform and intractable, (3) cognitive, behavioral and neurological deficits that may be relentless, and (4) sometimes early death.
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.
Exaggerated startle response
MedGen UID:
329357
Concept ID:
C1740801
Finding
An exaggerated startle reaction in response to a sudden unexpected visual or acoustic stimulus, or a quick movement near the face.
Severe global developmental delay
MedGen UID:
332436
Concept ID:
C1837397
Finding
A severe delay in the achievement of motor or mental milestones in the domains of development of a child.
Cerebellar vermis hypoplasia
MedGen UID:
333548
Concept ID:
C1840379
Finding
Underdevelopment of the vermis of cerebellum.
Absent speech
MedGen UID:
340737
Concept ID:
C1854882
Finding
Complete lack of development of speech and language abilities.
Facial-lingual fasciculations
MedGen UID:
354727
Concept ID:
C1862359
Finding
Fasciculations affecting the tongue muscle and the musculature of the face.
Ventriculomegaly
MedGen UID:
480553
Concept ID:
C3278923
Finding
An increase in size of the ventricular system of the brain.
Profound global developmental delay
MedGen UID:
766364
Concept ID:
C3553450
Disease or Syndrome
A profound delay in the achievement of motor or mental milestones in the domains of development of a child.
Myoclonic seizure
MedGen UID:
1385980
Concept ID:
C4317123
Sign or Symptom
A myoclonic seizure is a type of motor seizure characterized by sudden, brief (<100 ms) involuntary single or multiple contraction of muscles or muscle groups of variable topography (axial, proximal limb, distal). Myoclonus is less regularly repetitive and less sustained than is clonus.
Frontal bossing
MedGen UID:
67453
Concept ID:
C0221354
Congenital Abnormality
Bilateral bulging of the lateral frontal bone prominences with relative sparing of the midline.
Cerebral calcification
MedGen UID:
124360
Concept ID:
C0270685
Finding
The presence of calcium deposition within the cerebrum.
Basal ganglia calcification
MedGen UID:
234651
Concept ID:
C1389280
Pathologic Function
The presence of calcium deposition affecting one or more structures of the basal ganglia.
Axial hypotonia
MedGen UID:
342959
Concept ID:
C1853743
Finding
Muscular hypotonia (abnormally low muscle tone) affecting the musculature of the trunk.
Dandy-Walker malformation
MedGen UID:
419183
Concept ID:
C2931867
Congenital Abnormality
A congenital brain malformation typically characterized by incomplete formation of the cerebellar vermis, dilation of the fourth ventricle, and enlargement of the posterior fossa. In layman's terms, Dandy Walker malformation is a cyst in the cerebellum (typically symmetrical) that is involved with the fourth ventricle. This may interfere with the ability to drain cerebrospinal fluid from the brain, resulting in hydrocephalus. Dandy Walker cysts are formed during early embryonic development, while the brain forms. The cyst in the cerebellum typically has several blood vessels running through it connecting to the brain, thereby prohibiting surgical removal.
Microcephaly
MedGen UID:
1644158
Concept ID:
C4551563
Finding
Head circumference below 2 standard deviations below the mean for age and gender.
Open mouth
MedGen UID:
116104
Concept ID:
C0240379
Finding
A facial appearance characterized by a permanently or nearly permanently opened mouth.
Prominent nose
MedGen UID:
98423
Concept ID:
C0426415
Finding
Distance between subnasale and pronasale more than two standard deviations above the mean, or alternatively, an apparently increased anterior protrusion of the nasal tip.
Tented upper lip vermilion
MedGen UID:
326574
Concept ID:
C1839767
Finding
Triangular appearance of the oral aperture with the apex in the midpoint of the upper vermilion and the lower vermilion forming the base.
Coarse facial features
MedGen UID:
335284
Concept ID:
C1845847
Finding
Absence of fine and sharp appearance of brows, nose, lips, mouth, and chin, usually because of rounded and heavy features or thickened skin with or without thickening of subcutaneous and bony tissues.
Thick upper lip vermilion
MedGen UID:
339521
Concept ID:
C1846423
Finding
Height of the vermilion of the upper lip in the midline more than 2 SD above the mean. Alternatively, an apparently increased height of the vermilion of the upper lip in the frontal view (subjective).
Everted lower lip vermilion
MedGen UID:
344003
Concept ID:
C1853246
Finding
An abnormal configuration of the lower lip such that it is turned outward i.e., everted, with the Inner aspect of the lower lip vermilion (normally opposing the teeth) being visible in a frontal view.
Thick eyebrow
MedGen UID:
377914
Concept ID:
C1853487
Finding
Increased density/number and/or increased diameter of eyebrow hairs.
Short philtrum
MedGen UID:
350006
Concept ID:
C1861324
Finding
Distance between nasal base and midline upper lip vermilion border more than 2 SD below the mean. Alternatively, an apparently decreased distance between nasal base and midline upper lip vermilion border.
Long eyelashes
MedGen UID:
342955
Concept ID:
C1853738
Finding
Mid upper eyelash length >10 mm or increased length of the eyelashes (subjective).
Optic atrophy
MedGen UID:
18180
Concept ID:
C0029124
Disease or Syndrome
Atrophy of the optic nerve. Optic atrophy results from the death of the retinal ganglion cell axons that comprise the optic nerve and manifesting as a pale optic nerve on fundoscopy.

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Stasiłowicz-Krzemień A, Nogalska W, Maszewska Z, Maleszka M, Dobroń M, Szary A, Kępa A, Żarowski M, Hojan K, Lukowicz M, Cielecka-Piontek J
Int J Mol Sci 2024 May 25;25(11) doi: 10.3390/ijms25115749. PMID: 38891938Free PMC Article
Nickels K, Kossoff EH, Eschbach K, Joshi C
Epilepsia 2021 Jan;62(1):120-127. Epub 2020 Nov 14 doi: 10.1111/epi.16752. PMID: 33190223
Mackay M, Weiss S, Snead OC 3rd
Int Rev Neurobiol 2002;49:157-84. doi: 10.1016/s0074-7742(02)49012-5. PMID: 12040891

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Knight EMP, Amin S, Bahi-Buisson N, Benke TA, Cross JH, Demarest ST, Olson HE, Specchio N, Fleming TR, Aimetti AA, Gasior M, Devinsky O; Marigold Trial Group
Lancet Neurol 2022 May;21(5):417-427. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(22)00077-1. PMID: 35429480
Symonds JD, Elliott KS, Shetty J, Armstrong M, Brunklaus A, Cutcutache I, Diver LA, Dorris L, Gardiner S, Jollands A, Joss S, Kirkpatrick M, McLellan A, MacLeod S, O'Regan M, Page M, Pilley E, Pilz DT, Stephen E, Stewart K, Ashrafian H, Knight JC, Zuberi SM
Brain 2021 Oct 22;144(9):2879-2891. doi: 10.1093/brain/awab162. PMID: 34687210Free PMC Article
Glass HC, Soul JS, Chang T, Wusthoff CJ, Chu CJ, Massey SL, Abend NS, Lemmon M, Thomas C, Numis AL, Guillet R, Sturza J, McNamara NA, Rogers EE, Franck LS, McCulloch CE, Shellhaas RA
JAMA Neurol 2021 Jul 1;78(7):817-825. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2021.1437. PMID: 34028496Free PMC Article
Veroniki AA, Rios P, Cogo E, Straus SE, Finkelstein Y, Kealey R, Reynen E, Soobiah C, Thavorn K, Hutton B, Hemmelgarn BR, Yazdi F, D'Souza J, MacDonald H, Tricco AC
BMJ Open 2017 Jul 20;7(7):e017248. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017248. PMID: 28729328Free PMC Article
Christensen J, Grønborg TK, Sørensen MJ, Schendel D, Parner ET, Pedersen LH, Vestergaard M
JAMA 2013 Apr 24;309(16):1696-703. doi: 10.1001/jama.2013.2270. PMID: 23613074Free PMC Article

Diagnosis

McLaren JR, Kahle KT, Richardson RM, Chu CJ
Neurosurg Clin N Am 2024 Jan;35(1):49-59. Epub 2023 Oct 3 doi: 10.1016/j.nec.2023.08.002. PMID: 38000841Free PMC Article
Symonds JD, Elliott KS, Shetty J, Armstrong M, Brunklaus A, Cutcutache I, Diver LA, Dorris L, Gardiner S, Jollands A, Joss S, Kirkpatrick M, McLellan A, MacLeod S, O'Regan M, Page M, Pilley E, Pilz DT, Stephen E, Stewart K, Ashrafian H, Knight JC, Zuberi SM
Brain 2021 Oct 22;144(9):2879-2891. doi: 10.1093/brain/awab162. PMID: 34687210Free PMC Article
Saleh S, Beyyumi E, Al Kaabi A, Hertecant J, Barakat D, Al Dhaheri NS, Al-Gazali L, Al Shamsi A
Clin Genet 2021 Nov;100(5):573-600. Epub 2021 Aug 19 doi: 10.1111/cge.14044. PMID: 34374989
Nickels K, Kossoff EH, Eschbach K, Joshi C
Epilepsia 2021 Jan;62(1):120-127. Epub 2020 Nov 14 doi: 10.1111/epi.16752. PMID: 33190223
Christensen J, Grønborg TK, Sørensen MJ, Schendel D, Parner ET, Pedersen LH, Vestergaard M
JAMA 2013 Apr 24;309(16):1696-703. doi: 10.1001/jama.2013.2270. PMID: 23613074Free PMC Article

Therapy

Knight EMP, Amin S, Bahi-Buisson N, Benke TA, Cross JH, Demarest ST, Olson HE, Specchio N, Fleming TR, Aimetti AA, Gasior M, Devinsky O; Marigold Trial Group
Lancet Neurol 2022 May;21(5):417-427. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(22)00077-1. PMID: 35429480
Glass HC, Soul JS, Chang T, Wusthoff CJ, Chu CJ, Massey SL, Abend NS, Lemmon M, Thomas C, Numis AL, Guillet R, Sturza J, McNamara NA, Rogers EE, Franck LS, McCulloch CE, Shellhaas RA
JAMA Neurol 2021 Jul 1;78(7):817-825. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2021.1437. PMID: 34028496Free PMC Article
Nickels K, Kossoff EH, Eschbach K, Joshi C
Epilepsia 2021 Jan;62(1):120-127. Epub 2020 Nov 14 doi: 10.1111/epi.16752. PMID: 33190223
Veroniki AA, Rios P, Cogo E, Straus SE, Finkelstein Y, Kealey R, Reynen E, Soobiah C, Thavorn K, Hutton B, Hemmelgarn BR, Yazdi F, D'Souza J, MacDonald H, Tricco AC
BMJ Open 2017 Jul 20;7(7):e017248. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017248. PMID: 28729328Free PMC Article
Christensen J, Grønborg TK, Sørensen MJ, Schendel D, Parner ET, Pedersen LH, Vestergaard M
JAMA 2013 Apr 24;309(16):1696-703. doi: 10.1001/jama.2013.2270. PMID: 23613074Free PMC Article

Prognosis

Goel K, Phillips HW, Chen JS, Ngo J, Edmonds B, Ha PX, Wang A, Weil A, Russell BE, Salamon N, Nariai H, Fallah A
Epilepsia 2024 Jan;65(1):57-72. Epub 2023 Nov 11 doi: 10.1111/epi.17807. PMID: 37873610
Symonds JD, Elliott KS, Shetty J, Armstrong M, Brunklaus A, Cutcutache I, Diver LA, Dorris L, Gardiner S, Jollands A, Joss S, Kirkpatrick M, McLellan A, MacLeod S, O'Regan M, Page M, Pilley E, Pilz DT, Stephen E, Stewart K, Ashrafian H, Knight JC, Zuberi SM
Brain 2021 Oct 22;144(9):2879-2891. doi: 10.1093/brain/awab162. PMID: 34687210Free PMC Article
Nickels K, Kossoff EH, Eschbach K, Joshi C
Epilepsia 2021 Jan;62(1):120-127. Epub 2020 Nov 14 doi: 10.1111/epi.16752. PMID: 33190223
Ramantani G, Reuner G
Neuropediatrics 2018 Apr;49(2):93-103. Epub 2017 Dec 5 doi: 10.1055/s-0037-1609034. PMID: 29207404
Christensen J, Grønborg TK, Sørensen MJ, Schendel D, Parner ET, Pedersen LH, Vestergaard M
JAMA 2013 Apr 24;309(16):1696-703. doi: 10.1001/jama.2013.2270. PMID: 23613074Free PMC Article

Clinical prediction guides

Strzelczyk A, Lagae L, Wilmshurst JM, Brunklaus A, Striano P, Rosenow F, Schubert-Bast S
Epilepsia Open 2023 Dec;8(4):1256-1270. Epub 2023 Oct 11 doi: 10.1002/epi4.12832. PMID: 37750463Free PMC Article
Symonds JD, Elliott KS, Shetty J, Armstrong M, Brunklaus A, Cutcutache I, Diver LA, Dorris L, Gardiner S, Jollands A, Joss S, Kirkpatrick M, McLellan A, MacLeod S, O'Regan M, Page M, Pilley E, Pilz DT, Stephen E, Stewart K, Ashrafian H, Knight JC, Zuberi SM
Brain 2021 Oct 22;144(9):2879-2891. doi: 10.1093/brain/awab162. PMID: 34687210Free PMC Article
Glass HC, Soul JS, Chang T, Wusthoff CJ, Chu CJ, Massey SL, Abend NS, Lemmon M, Thomas C, Numis AL, Guillet R, Sturza J, McNamara NA, Rogers EE, Franck LS, McCulloch CE, Shellhaas RA
JAMA Neurol 2021 Jul 1;78(7):817-825. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2021.1437. PMID: 34028496Free PMC Article
Ramantani G, Reuner G
Neuropediatrics 2018 Apr;49(2):93-103. Epub 2017 Dec 5 doi: 10.1055/s-0037-1609034. PMID: 29207404
Lux AL, Edwards SW, Hancock E, Johnson AL, Kennedy CR, Newton RW, O'Callaghan FJ, Verity CM, Osborne JP; United Kingdom Infantile Spasms Study
Lancet Neurol 2005 Nov;4(11):712-7. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(05)70199-X. PMID: 16239177

Recent systematic reviews

Craiu D, Rener Primec Z, Lagae L, Vigevano F, Trinka E, Specchio N, Bakhtadze S, Cazacu C, Golli T, Zuberi SM
Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2022 Jan;36:57-68. Epub 2021 Dec 3 doi: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2021.11.014. PMID: 34922162
Salvati A, Bonaventura E, Sesso G, Pasquariello R, Sicca F
Seizure 2021 Oct;91:425-436. Epub 2021 Jul 21 doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2021.07.020. PMID: 34325301
Spagnoli C, Fusco C, Percesepe A, Leuzzi V, Pisani F
Int J Mol Sci 2021 Apr 18;22(8) doi: 10.3390/ijms22084202. PMID: 33919646Free PMC Article
Zhang L, Li W, Wang C
Acta Neurol Scand 2021 Apr;143(4):339-348. Epub 2020 Dec 17 doi: 10.1111/ane.13387. PMID: 33336426
Veroniki AA, Rios P, Cogo E, Straus SE, Finkelstein Y, Kealey R, Reynen E, Soobiah C, Thavorn K, Hutton B, Hemmelgarn BR, Yazdi F, D'Souza J, MacDonald H, Tricco AC
BMJ Open 2017 Jul 20;7(7):e017248. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017248. PMID: 28729328Free PMC Article

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