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3-Methylglutaconic aciduria type 2(BTHS)

MedGen UID:
107893
Concept ID:
C0574083
Disease or Syndrome
Synonyms: 3-methylglutaconicaciduria type II; Barth syndrome; BTHS; Cardioskeletal myopathy with neutropenia and abnormal mitochondria; MGA type II; TAZ-Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy
SNOMED CT: 3-Methylglutaconic aciduria type 2 (297231002); Barth syndrome (297231002)
Modes of inheritance:
X-linked recessive inheritance
MedGen UID:
375779
Concept ID:
C1845977
Finding
Source: Orphanet
A mode of inheritance that is observed for recessive traits related to a gene encoded on the X chromosome. In the context of medical genetics, X-linked recessive disorders manifest in males (who have one copy of the X chromosome and are thus hemizygotes), but generally not in female heterozygotes who have one mutant and one normal allele.
 
Gene (location): TAFAZZIN (Xq28)
 
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0010543
OMIM®: 302060
Orphanet: ORPHA111

Definition

Barth syndrome is characterized in affected males by cardiomyopathy, neutropenia, skeletal myopathy, prepubertal growth delay, and distinctive facial gestalt (most evident in infancy); not all features may be present in a given affected male. Cardiomyopathy, which is almost always present before age five years, is typically dilated cardiomyopathy with or without endocardial fibroelastosis or left ventricular noncompaction; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can also occur. Heart failure is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality; risk of arrhythmia and sudden death is increased. Neutropenia is most often associated with mouth ulcers, pneumonia, and sepsis. The nonprogressive myopathy predominantly affects the proximal muscles, and results in early motor delays. Prepubertal growth delay is followed by a postpubertal growth spurt with remarkable "catch-up" growth. Heterozygous females who have a normal karyotype are asymptomatic and have normal biochemical studies. [from GeneReviews]

Additional descriptions

From OMIM
Barth syndrome (BTHS) is an X-linked disease conventionally characterized by dilated cardiomyopathy (CMD) with endocardial fibroelastosis (EFE), a predominantly proximal skeletal myopathy, growth retardation, neutropenia, and organic aciduria, particularly excess of 3-methylglutaconic acid. Features of the disease that are less well known include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, isolated left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC), ventricular arrhythmia, motor delay, poor appetite, fatigue and exercise intolerance, hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis, hyperammonemia, and dramatic late catch-up growth after growth delay throughout childhood (summary by Steward et al., 2010). For a phenotypic description and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of 3-methylglutaconic aciduria, see MGCA type I (250950).  http://www.omim.org/entry/302060
From MedlinePlus Genetics
Barth syndrome is a rare condition characterized by an enlarged and weakened heart (dilated cardiomyopathy), weakness in muscles used for movement (skeletal myopathy), recurrent infections due to small numbers of white blood cells (neutropenia), and short stature. Barth syndrome occurs almost exclusively in males.

In males with Barth syndrome, dilated cardiomyopathy is often present at birth or develops within the first months of life. Over time, the heart muscle becomes increasingly weakened and is less able to pump blood. Individuals with Barth syndrome may have elastic fibers in place of muscle fibers in some areas of the heart muscle, which contributes to the cardiomyopathy. This condition is called endocardial fibroelastosis; it results in thickening of the muscle and impairs its ability to pump blood. In people with Barth syndrome, the heart problems can lead to heart failure. In rare cases, the cardiomyopathy gets better over time and affected individuals eventually have no symptoms of heart disease.

In Barth syndrome, skeletal myopathy, particularly of the muscles closest to the center of the body (proximal muscles), is usually noticeable from birth and causes low muscle tone (hypotonia). The muscle weakness often causes delay of motor skills such as crawling and walking. Additionally, affected individuals tend to experience extreme tiredness (fatigue) during strenuous physical activity.

Most males with Barth syndrome have neutropenia. The levels of white blood cells can be consistently low (persistent), can vary from normal to low (intermittent), or can cycle between regular episodes of normal and low (cyclical). Neutropenia makes it more difficult for the body to fight off foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses, so affected individuals have an increased risk of recurrent infections.

Newborns with Barth syndrome are often smaller than normal, and their growth continues to be slow throughout life. Some boys with this condition experience a growth spurt in puberty and are of average height as adults, but many men with Barth syndrome continue to have short stature in adulthood.

Males with Barth syndrome often have distinctive facial features including prominent cheeks. Affected individuals typically have normal intelligence but often have difficulty performing tasks involving math or visual-spatial skills such as puzzles.

Males with Barth syndrome have increased levels of a substance called 3-methylglutaconic acid in their blood and urine. The amount of the acid does not appear to influence the signs and symptoms of the condition. Barth syndrome is one of a group of metabolic disorders that can be diagnosed by the presence of increased levels of 3-methylglutaconic acid in urine (3-methylglutaconic aciduria).

Even though most features of Barth syndrome are present at birth or in infancy, affected individuals may not experience health problems until later in life. The age at which individuals with Barth syndrome display symptoms or are diagnosed varies greatly. The severity of signs and symptoms among affected individuals is also highly variable.

Males with Barth syndrome have a reduced life expectancy. Many affected children die of heart failure or infection in infancy or early childhood, but those who live into adulthood can survive into their late forties.  https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/barth-syndrome

Clinical features

From HPO
Fatigue
MedGen UID:
41971
Concept ID:
C0015672
Sign or Symptom
A subjective feeling of tiredness characterized by a lack of energy and motivation.
Exercise intolerance
MedGen UID:
603270
Concept ID:
C0424551
Finding
A functional motor deficit where individuals whose responses to the challenges of exercise fail to achieve levels considered normal for their age and gender.
3-Methylglutaconic aciduria
MedGen UID:
777186
Concept ID:
C3696376
Disease or Syndrome
An increased amount of 3-methylglutaconic acid in the urine.
Clubfoot
MedGen UID:
3130
Concept ID:
C0009081
Congenital Abnormality
Clubfoot is a congenital limb deformity defined as fixation of the foot in cavus, adductus, varus, and equinus (i.e., inclined inwards, axially rotated outwards, and pointing downwards) with concomitant soft tissue abnormalities (Cardy et al., 2007). Clubfoot may occur in isolation or as part of a syndrome (e.g., diastrophic dysplasia, 222600). Clubfoot has been reported with deficiency of long bones and mirror-image polydactyly (Gurnett et al., 2008; Klopocki et al., 2012).
Cardiac arrhythmia
MedGen UID:
2039
Concept ID:
C0003811
Finding
Any cardiac rhythm other than the normal sinus rhythm. Such a rhythm may be either of sinus or ectopic origin and either regular or irregular. An arrhythmia may be due to a disturbance in impulse formation or conduction or both.
Primary dilated cardiomyopathy
MedGen UID:
2880
Concept ID:
C0007193
Disease or Syndrome
Familial dilated cardiomyopathy is a genetic form of heart disease. It occurs when heart (cardiac) muscle becomes thin and weakened in at least one chamber of the heart, causing the open area of the chamber to become enlarged (dilated). As a result, the heart is unable to pump blood as efficiently as usual. To compensate, the heart attempts to increase the amount of blood being pumped through the heart, leading to further thinning and weakening of the cardiac muscle. Over time, this condition results in heart failure.\n\nIt usually takes many years for symptoms of familial dilated cardiomyopathy to cause health problems. They typically begin in mid-adulthood, but can occur at any time from infancy to late adulthood. Signs and symptoms of familial dilated cardiomyopathy can include an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), shortness of breath (dyspnea), extreme tiredness (fatigue), fainting episodes (syncope), and swelling of the legs and feet. In some cases, the first sign of the disorder is sudden cardiac death. The severity of the condition varies among affected individuals, even in members of the same family.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
MedGen UID:
2881
Concept ID:
C0007194
Disease or Syndrome
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is defined by the presence of increased ventricular wall thickness or mass in the absence of loading conditions (hypertension, valve disease) sufficient to cause the observed abnormality.
Endocardial fibroelastosis
MedGen UID:
4041
Concept ID:
C0014117
Disease or Syndrome
Diffuse thickening of the ventricular endocardium and by associated myocardial dysfunction
Congestive heart failure
MedGen UID:
9169
Concept ID:
C0018802
Disease or Syndrome
The presence of an abnormality of cardiac function that is responsible for the failure of the heart to pump blood at a rate that is commensurate with the needs of the tissues or a state in which abnormally elevated filling pressures are required for the heart to do so. Heart failure is frequently related to a defect in myocardial contraction.
Tricuspid regurgitation
MedGen UID:
11911
Concept ID:
C0040961
Disease or Syndrome
Failure of the tricuspid valve to close sufficiently upon contraction of the right ventricle, causing blood to regurgitate (flow backward) into the right atrium.
Increased left ventricular end-diastolic volume
MedGen UID:
1660169
Concept ID:
C4748648
Finding
Abnormally high volume of blood in the left ventricle at the end of diastole (just before systole).
Growth delay
MedGen UID:
99124
Concept ID:
C0456070
Pathologic Function
A deficiency or slowing down of growth pre- and postnatally.
Failure to thrive
MedGen UID:
746019
Concept ID:
C2315100
Disease or Syndrome
Failure to thrive (FTT) refers to a child whose physical growth is substantially below the norm.
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).
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.
Gait disturbance
MedGen UID:
107895
Concept ID:
C0575081
Finding
The term gait disturbance can refer to any disruption of the ability to walk.
Motor delay
MedGen UID:
381392
Concept ID:
C1854301
Finding
A type of Developmental delay characterized by a delay in acquiring motor skills.
Hypochromic microcytic anemia
MedGen UID:
124413
Concept ID:
C0271901
Disease or Syndrome
A type of anemia characterized by an abnormally low concentration of hemoglobin in the erythrocytes and lower than normal size of the erythrocytes.
Gowers sign
MedGen UID:
65865
Concept ID:
C0234182
Finding
A phenomenon whereby patients are not able to stand up without the use of the hands owing to weakness of the proximal muscles of the lower limbs.
Skeletal myopathy
MedGen UID:
735900
Concept ID:
C1533847
Disease or Syndrome
A disease involving the skeletal muscle tissue.
Recurrent bronchitis
MedGen UID:
148159
Concept ID:
C0741796
Disease or Syndrome
An increased susceptibility to bronchitis as manifested by a history of recurrent bronchitis.
Cyclical neutropenia
MedGen UID:
65121
Concept ID:
C0221023
Disease or Syndrome
ELANE-related neutropenia includes congenital neutropenia and cyclic neutropenia, both of which are primary hematologic disorders characterized by recurrent fever, skin and oropharyngeal inflammation (i.e., mouth ulcers, gingivitis, sinusitis, and pharyngitis), and cervical adenopathy. Infectious complications are generally more severe in congenital neutropenia than in cyclic neutropenia. In congenital neutropenia, omphalitis immediately after birth may be the first sign; in untreated children diarrhea, pneumonia, and deep abscesses in the liver, lungs, and subcutaneous tissues are common in the first year of life. After 15 years with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor treatment, the risk of developing myelodysplasia (MDS) or acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is approximately 15%-25%. Cyclic neutropenia is usually diagnosed within the first year of life based on approximately three-week intervals of fever and oral ulcerations and regular oscillations of blood cell counts. Cellulitis, especially perianal cellulitis, is common during neutropenic periods. Between neutropenic periods, affected individuals are generally healthy. Symptoms improve in adulthood. Cyclic neutropenia is not associated with risk of malignancy or conversion to leukemia.
Neutropenia
MedGen UID:
163121
Concept ID:
C0853697
Finding
An abnormally low number of neutrophils in the peripheral blood.
Recurrent infections in infancy and early childhood
MedGen UID:
336812
Concept ID:
C1844909
Finding
Recurrent infections at an early age with improvement in later childhood.
Granulocytopenia
MedGen UID:
1640845
Concept ID:
C4551627
Disease or Syndrome
An abnormally reduced number of granulocytes in the blood.
Intermittent lactic acidemia
MedGen UID:
336814
Concept ID:
C1844917
Disease or Syndrome
An intermittent (discontinuous) form of lactic acidemia.
Elevated monolysocardiolipin/cardiolipin ratio
MedGen UID:
1052892
Concept ID:
CN377348
Finding
The concentration of monolysocardiolipin related to that of cardiolipin is above the upper limit of normal. This is a functional assay that can be performed from a blood spot to diagnose Barth syndrome (OMIM:302060).
Round face
MedGen UID:
116087
Concept ID:
C0239479
Finding
The facial appearance is more circular than usual as viewed from the front.
High forehead
MedGen UID:
65991
Concept ID:
C0239676
Finding
An abnormally increased height of the forehead.
Myopathic facies
MedGen UID:
90695
Concept ID:
C0332615
Finding
A facial appearance characteristic of myopathic conditions. The face appears expressionless with sunken cheeks, bilateral ptosis, and inability to elevate the corners of the mouth, due to muscle weakness.
Mandibular prognathia
MedGen UID:
98316
Concept ID:
C0399526
Finding
Abnormal prominence of the chin related to increased length of the mandible.
Pointed chin
MedGen UID:
336193
Concept ID:
C1844505
Finding
A marked tapering of the lower face to the chin.
Broad forehead
MedGen UID:
338610
Concept ID:
C1849089
Finding
Width of the forehead or distance between the frontotemporales is more than two standard deviations above the mean (objective); or apparently increased distance between the two sides of the forehead.
Full cheeks
MedGen UID:
355661
Concept ID:
C1866231
Finding
Increased prominence or roundness of soft tissues between zygomata and mandible.
Fair hair
MedGen UID:
336542
Concept ID:
C1849221
Finding
A lesser degree of hair pigmentation than would otherwise be expected.
Deeply set eye
MedGen UID:
473112
Concept ID:
C0423224
Finding
An eye that is more deeply recessed into the plane of the face than is typical.
Abnormal mitochondrial morphology
MedGen UID:
863087
Concept ID:
C4014650
Finding
Any structural anomaly of the mitochondria.

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Pinkhasov A, Xiong G, Bourgeois JA, Heinrich TW, Huang H, Coriolan S, Annamalai A, Mangal JP, Frankel S, Lang M, Raj YP, Dandois M, Barth K, Stewart AL, Rado J, Pesek J, Sanders A, Spearman-McCarthy EV, Gagliardi J, Fiedorowicz JG
J Psychosom Res 2021 Dec;151:110654. Epub 2021 Oct 28 doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110654. PMID: 34739943Free PMC Article
Le Roux M, Barth M, Gueden S, Desbordes de Cepoy P, Aeby A, Vilain C, Hirsch E, de Saint Martin A, Portes VD, Lesca G, Riquet A, Chaton L, Villeneuve N, Villard L, Cances C, Valton L, Renaldo F, Vermersch AI, Altuzarra C, Nguyen-Morel MA, Van Gils J, Angelini C, Biraben A, Arnaud L, Riant F, Van Bogaert P
Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2021 Jul;33:75-85. Epub 2021 May 26 doi: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2021.05.010. PMID: 34102571
Hudak ML, Tan RC; COMMITTEE ON DRUGS; COMMITTEE ON FETUS AND NEWBORN; American Academy of Pediatrics
Pediatrics 2012 Feb;129(2):e540-60. Epub 2012 Jan 30 doi: 10.1542/peds.2011-3212. PMID: 22291123

Curated

American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Newborn Screening ACT Sheet, Elevated C5-OH Acylcarnitine, Organic Acidemias, 2022

American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Algorithm, Organic Acidemias: Elevated C5-OH, 2022

Supplemental Content

Table of contents

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    • PubMed
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    • Bookshelf
      See practice and clinical guidelines in NCBI Bookshelf. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.

    Curated

    • ACMG ACT, 2022
      American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Newborn Screening ACT Sheet, Elevated C5-OH Acylcarnitine, Organic Acidemias, 2022
    • ACMG Algorithm, 2022
      American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Algorithm, Organic Acidemias: Elevated C5-OH, 2022

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