Warning: fopen(/home/virtual/pediatrics/journal/upload/ip_log/ip_log_2024-03.txt) [function.fopen]: failed to open stream: Permission denied in /home/virtual/pediatrics/journal/ip_info/view_data.php on line 82

Warning: fwrite(): supplied argument is not a valid stream resource in /home/virtual/pediatrics/journal/ip_info/view_data.php on line 83
Compound heterozygous mutations of ACADS gene in newborn with short chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency: case report and literatures review

Clin Exp Pediatr > Volume 59(Suppl 1); 2016
An, Kim, Kim, Yoo, and Lim: Compound heterozygous mutations of ACADS gene in newborn with short chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency: case report and literatures review

Abstract

Short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (SCADD) is a rare autosomal recessive mitochondrial disorder of fatty acid β-oxidation, and is associated with mutations in the acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (ACADS) gene. Recent advances in spectrometric screening for inborn errors of metabolism have helped detect several metabolic disorders, including SCADD, without symptoms in the neonate period. This allows immediate initiation of treatment and monitoring, so they remain largely symptomless metabolic disease. Here, we report a 15-month-old asymptomatic male, who was diagnosed with SCADD by newborn screening. Spectrometric screening for inborn errors of metabolism 72 hours after birth revealed an elevated butyrylcarnitine (C4) concentration of 2.25 µmol/L (normal, <0.99 µmol/L). Urinary excretion of ethylmalonic acid was also elevated, as detected by urine organic acid analysis. To confirm the diagnosis of SCADD, direct sequencing analysis of 10 coding exons and the exon-intron boundaries of the ACADS gene were performed. Subsequent sequence analysis revealed compound heterozygous missense mutations c.164C>T (p.Pro55Leu) and c.1031A>G (p.Glu344Gly) on exons 2 and 9, respectively. The patient is now growing up, unretarded by symptoms such as seizure and developmental delay.

Introduction

Short chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (SCADD) is a very uncommon disease that is associated with abnormal oxidation of beta-oxidized fatty acid of the short chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase involved in energy metabolism of fatty acids in the mitochondria. It occurs in one in every 40,000 to 100,000 people, and is associated with various clinical symptoms1,2). It is an autosomal recessive disorder which was first reported in 19873).
SCAD promotes the dehydrogenation of butyryl-CoA (C4-CoA), which is the first step of β-oxidation of short chain fatty acids1,2). The acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (ACADS) gene is a 13-kb-long gene that is located on the long arm of chromosome 12 (12q22), and consists of 10 exons and 1,236 nucleotides. Mutation of this gene leads to SCADD. This results in the production of butyrylcarnitine (C4-acylcarnitine, C4-C), butyryl glycine, butyrate and ethylmalonic acid (EMA). The levels of C4-C is measured in blood, while EMA is measured in urine. Elevated levels of C4-C and EMA are used as biochemical markers for the diagnosis of SCADD2). Clinically, SCADD is associated with hypoglycemia, nausea, growth and development problems, tachypnea, and reduced muscle tone, as well as progressive muscle weakness, growth delay, seizures, microcrania, and scoliosis4). Early diagnosis and treatment is important for the prognosis of metabolic disorders. Compared to those who are diagnosed clinically, patients who are diagnosed in through neonatal screening tend to show normal growth and development5).
Recently, tandem mass spectrometry is being used for the early neonatal diagnosis of metabolic diseases which allows for early treatment for patients to have symptomless metabolic diseases. In this study, we report a case of an asymptomatic patient who was diagnosed with short chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency through neonatal screening using tandem mass spectrometry, who was found to be compound heterozygous for the ACADS gene mutation.

Case report

The patient was a male born at 38 weeks and 1 day of gestation. The birth weight was 2,900 g. He was the second child, who was born by caesarian section. There was no significant medical history of the mother. He was also doing well after birth. The patient underwent neonatal screening using tandem mass spectrometry at day 4 after birth, and was found to have elevated levels of butyrylcarnitine at 2.25 µM/L (reference range, <0.99 µM/L). So, he was referred to our hospital for further evaluation.
His vital signs were within normal limits at the time of presentation, and there were no abnormal findings in the head, chest, and abdominal examinations. There were no significant abnormalities found in the serum amino acid analysis, but he was found to have ethylmalonic aciduria on urine organic acid analysis, with ethylmalonic level of 87.27 µg/mg Cr (reference range, <0.65 µg/mg Cr). His blood glucose levels, pH, and electrolytes were all within normal limits, which are expected to be abnormal in patients with metabolic disorders. In order to confirm the diagnosis of short chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, we conducted genetic testing. DNA sequence analysis showed that the patient had heterozygous for the mutations in c.164C>T (p.Pro55Leu) on exon 2 and c.1031A>G (p.Glu344Gly) on exon 9, and both of which have been already reported mutations of SCADD6). However, we could not analyze the ACADS gene of his parents because they did not want to know it.
Based on the diagnosis of short chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, the patient received oral vitamin B, L-carnitine from day 20 after birth. The parents were educated on the risks of hypoglycemia with prolonged fasting, and the patient's progress was monitored with regular urinalysis for organic acids. At 4 months of age, the patient's height was 66.6 cm (75th percentile), weight was 7.4 kg (50th–75th percentile), and head circumference was 42 cm (50th–75th percentile). He had normal muscle tone, and was attempting to flip. He had normal head movement, with normal growth and slightly delayed development. Since then, he has no neurological abnormalities found until present, at the age of 35 months. His body measurements at 24 months of age were weight of 11.3 kg (25th percentile), height of 87.5 cm (50th–75th percentile), and head circumference of 49.1 cm (50th–75th percentile). Bayley scales of infant development-2 conducted at 26 months of age showed chronological age (26 months), mental age: 21 months and motor age: 22 months in the developmental age, and social maturity scale (SQ score) of 85.32. The patient's language ability and combined language proficiency age was 2 years and 1 months, which was similar to that expected of his age. The patient received vitamin B, L-carnitine for the above condition, and since 15 months onwards, is only taking L-carnitine.

Discussion

SCADD is an autosomal recessive genetic metabolic disorder caused by the deficiency of SCAD, one of the mitochondrial enzymes involved in the oxidation of fatty acids4). Most individuals identified through newborn screening and affected relatives have been asymptomatic. However, various symptoms have been reported in some patients with SCADD, most frequently developmental delay, seizure, ketotic hypoglycemia, hypotonia, fatigue, failure to thrive, recurrent vomiting, and metabolic acidosis5). Most symptomatic patients with SCADD have presented with predominantly neurologic manifestations, unlike the other β-oxidation defects, via direct neurotoxic effect of increased EMA5). But, these findings are nonspecific and can be frequently observed in other inherited metabolic disorders.
In order to diagnose fatty acid oxidation disorders, tandem mass spectrometry is used to assess the acylcarnitine profile. This tandem mass spectrometry for neonatal screening was introduced across the world from 2000, and became available in South Korea from 20027). This has allowed for screening of asymptomatic patients8). SCADD is characterized by mutation of the ACADS (OMIM #606885) gene on 12q22 of the long arm of chromosome 12. This gene is approximately 13 kb long, consisting of 10 exons and 1,236 nucleotides5,9). There are approximately 70 different types of ACADS mutations6). In Europe, 2 common variants (c.511C>T (Arg147Trp) and the c.625G>A (Gly185Ser) were reported as polymorphism10,11). Each variants accounts the 3%–8% and 22%–43% of normal population, respectively. But, it is important that the homozygosity for one of the polymorphisms is even associated with an increased incidence of elevated EMA excretion5).
There have been reports of asymptomatic SCADD identified in neonatal screening due to G108D mutation in Japan8). In Korea, between 2000 and 2012, the children with developmental delay and mental retardation were evaluated and screened for metabolic and endocrinologic problems, and discovered 3 cases of 508 children as SCADD12). But, these cases were not tested with genetic analysis. Three cases with newborn-screening and ACADS gene confirmed SCADD have been reported in Korea (Table 1)13,14,15). Kim et al.13) diagnosed the first case of asymptomatic SCADD in a female infant diagnosed through neonatal screening with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, with the identified homozygous mutations of c.1031A>G (p.E344G) on exon 9. In our case, the patient was confirmed to have compound heterozygous mutations of c.[164C>T];[1031A>G] (p.[Pro55Leu]:[Glu344Gly]) on exon 2 and 9, respectively (Fig. 1). Our allele, c.1031A>G, was same as Kim et al.13)'s case and another allele, c.164C>T, was same as Park et al.15)'s report. Cheon et al.14) demonstrated a case with novel mutation of ACADS gene, c.277C>A (p.Leu93Ile) on exon 3 and c.682G>A (p.Glu288Lys) on exon 6. However, they did not analysis their functional study of novel mutations.
There are no set guidelines for the treatment of SCADD until now, and moreover, there is not consensus on the need to treat SCADD. Chronic management of SCADD has been a diet similar to other fatty acid oxidation disorders, consisting of reduction of fat intake to 25% of calories from fat, with smaller, more frequent meals to avoid reliance on β-oxidation5). However, well-tolerable patients with SCADD do not need these strict diets. In episodes of acute metabolic acidosis, intravenous hydration with a solution containing 10% glucose should be used to reestablish an anabolic state, followed by reintroduction of the patient's usual diet. In a few cases, patients have been treated with L-carnitine and riviflavin1). And genetic counseling is recommended for patients and their families.
In this case, the patient received oral riboflavin and L-carnitine daily, and the patient's parents were given dietary education to prevent prolonged fasting for decreasing catabolic state as well as other fatty acid oxidation diseases. Oral supplementation of L-carnitine helps EMA to produce butyrylcarnitine for excretion. Although there is insufficient evidence to supports its use as a treatment, both rivoflavin and L-carnitine are being considered for potential treatment for SCADD patients.
In summary, we have discussed an asymptomatic patient with short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency who was detected through neonatal screening and is showing normal growth and development to date.

Notes

Conflict of interest:
No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

References

1. van Maldegem BT, Duran M, Wanders RJ, Waterham HR, Wijburg FA. Flavin adenine dinucleotide status and the effects of high-dose riboflavin treatment in short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency. Pediatr Res 2010;67:304–308.
crossref pmid
2. van Maldegem BT, Wanders RJ, Wijburg FA. Clinical aspects of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency. J Inherit Metab Dis 2010;33:507–511.
crossref pmid pmc
3. Amendt BA, Greene C, Sweetman L, Cloherty J, Shih V, Moon A, et al. Short-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency. Clinical and biochemical studies in two patients. J Clin Invest 1987;79:1303–1309.
crossref pmid pmc
4. Bok LA, Vreken P, Wijburg FA, Wanders RJ, Gregersen N, Corydon MJ, et al. Short-chain Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency: studies in a large family adding to the complexity of the disorder. Pediatrics 2003;112:1152–1155.
crossref pmid
5. Jethva R, Bennett MJ, Vockley J. Short-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency. Mol Genet Metab 2008;95:195–200.
crossref pmid pmc
6. Gregersen N, Andresen BS, Pedersen CB, Olsen RK, Corydon TJ, Bross P. Mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation defects: remaining challenges. J Inherit Metab Dis 2008;31:643–657.
crossref pmid
7. Lee HJ. Inborn errors of metabolism in Korea. J Korean Neurol Assoc 2004;22:1–10.

8. Shirao K, Okada S, Tajima G, Tsumura M, Hara K, Yasunaga S, et al. Molecular pathogenesis of a novel mutation, G108D, in short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase identified in subjects with short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency. Hum Genet 2010;127:619–628.
crossref pmid
9. Naito E, Ozasa H, Ikeda Y, Tanaka K. Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of complementary DNAs encoding human short chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase and the study of the molecular basis of human short chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency. J Clin Invest 1989;83:1605–1613.
crossref pmid pmc
10. Gregersen N, Winter VS, Corydon MJ, Corydon TJ, Rinaldo P, Ribes A, et al. Identification of four new mutations in the short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SCAD) gene in two patients: one of the variant alleles, 511C-->T, is present at an unexpectedly high frequency in the general population, as was the case for 625G-->A, together conferring susceptibility to ethylmalonic aciduria. Hum Mol Genet 1998;7:619–627.
crossref pmid
11. Corydon MJ, Gregersen N, Lehnert W, Ribes A, Rinaldo P, Kmoch S, et al. Ethylmalonic aciduria is associated with an amino acid variant of short chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase. Pediatr Res 1996;39:1059–1066.
crossref pmid
12. Kim SZ, Jeon YM, Song WJ, Kim HS, Cho HY, Kil HR. Clinical and biochemical evaluation of institutionalized population with mental retardation or developmental delay. J Korean Soc Inherit Metab Dis 2012;12:94–98.

13. Kim SH, Park HD, Sohn YB, Park SW, Cho SY, Ji S, et al. Mutations of ACADS gene associated with short-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency. Ann Clin Lab Sci 2011;41:84–88.
pmid
14. Cheon CK, Choi HS, Kim SY, Yoo HW, Kim GH. Identification of novel compound heterozygous mutations in the ACADS gene of an asymptomatic Korean newborn with short chain acyl-coa dehydrogenase deficiency by tandem mass spectrometry. J Genet Med 2012;9:42–46.
crossref
15. Park K, Ko JM, Jung G, Lee HC, Yoon SY, Ko SY, et al. A case of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency detected by newborn screening. J Korean Soc Inherit Metab Dis 2015;15:40–43.

Fig. 1

Partial sequences of the patient's ACADS gene. Genetic analysis revealed compound heterozygous mutations c.164C>T (p.Pro55Leu) and c.1031A>G (p.Glu344Gly) on exons 2 and 9, respectively. Arrows indicate mutant nucleotides. Y indicates heterozygous nucleotides C and T, while R indicates A and G.

kjped-59-S45-g001.jpg
Table 1

Summary of Korean patients with genetically confirmed SCAD deficiency

kjped-59-S45-i001.jpg
Source Age (day) Sex ACADS gene At presentation
C4-acylcarnitine on GC/MS (µmol/L) EMA on urine organic acid (mmol/mol Cr) Clinical manifestation
Kim et al.13) (2011) 10 F c.1031A>G (p.E344G)* on exon 9 2.85 98.0 Asymmtomatic
Cheon et al.14) (2012) 30 F c.[277C>A];[682G>A] (p.[Leu93Ile];[Glu228Lys]) on exon 3 and 6, respectively 1.79 77.92 Asymmtomatic
Park et al.15) (2015) 18 M c.164C>T (p.Pro55Leu)* 1.69 62.87 Asymmtomatic
Present case 12 M c.[164C>T];[1031A>G] (p.[Pro55Leu]:[Glu344Gly]) on exon 2 and 9, respectively 2.25 87.27 Asymmtomatic

SCAD, short chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase; ACADS, acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, short chain; GC/MS, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry; EMA, ethylmalonic acid.

*This gene is homozygous mutation.

METRICS Graph View
  • 2 Crossref
  • 4 Scopus
  • 4,685 View
  • 61 Download