A case of Menkes disease with unusual hepatomegaly.
10.3345/kjp.2008.51.5.538
- Author:
Go Un JEONG
1
;
Anna CHO
;
Hee HWANG
;
Yong Seung HWANG
;
Ki Joong KIM
;
Jong Hee CHAE
;
Jeong Kee SEO
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. chaeped1@snu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Menkes disease;
ATP7A gene;
Heptomegaly;
Infantile spasm
- MeSH:
Biopsy;
Cholestasis;
Copper;
Hair;
Hepatomegaly;
Infant;
Infant, Newborn;
Liver;
Menkes Kinky Hair Syndrome;
Muscle Hypotonia;
Necrosis;
Seizures;
Skin;
Spasms, Infantile
- From:Korean Journal of Pediatrics
2008;51(5):538-541
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Menkes disease is an X-linked recessive copper transport disorder characterized by neurological deterioration, connective-tissue damage, and abnormal hair growth. It is caused by the mutation of the ATP7A gene. This report describes a four-month-old boy with neurological symptoms typical of Menkes disease plus unusual liver involvement. He developed seizures at three months of age and exhibited hypotonia, cephalhematoma, a sagging face, redundant and hypopigmented skin, and abnormal hair growth. In addition, he had unexplained hepatomegaly and high hepatic transaminase. We confirmed the diagnosis of Menkes disease by mutation analysis of the ATP7A gene. To exclude other possible causes for the hepatic abnormalities, a liver biopsy was performed, revealing intracytoplasmic cholestasis, focal spotty necrosis, and minimal lobular activity. The patient's liver involvement may be an underestimated complication of Menkes disease.
