[In utero macrocephaly as clinical manifestation of glutaric aciduria type I. Report of a novel mutation].
BACKGROUND
Macrocephaly is a pivotal clinical sign, associated with multiple neurological diseases, particularly neurometabolical ones, such as the glutaric aciduria type I (GA I). This aciduria resulting from the genetical deficiency of the enzyme glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase (GCDH). Is a relatively common cause of acute metabolic brain damage in early childhood. We report on one case of GA I, with early manifestations since fetal period and a novel mutation.


METHODS
Our patient was referred due macrocephaly in utero and occipitofrontal head circumference above the 98 percentile for chronologic age during first few months of life, hypotonia and development delay. The metabolic investigations of organic acids in urine and acylcarnitine profile in blood, the brain magnetic resonance and the molecular analyses of the glutaryl-CoA deshidrogenase gene, confirm the diagnosis. The molecular analysis allowed to identify one previously described mutation A293T and a novel mutation IVS5-2 A>G.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important the recognition of in utero macrocephaly as a sign to early diagnosis of glutaric aciduria type I to initiate specific therapy to prevent the encephalopathic crises and minimize brain damage in patients who are already neurologically impaired.
Mahfoud
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Laboratorio de Estudio Selectivo, Centro de Biociencias y Medicina Molecular, Instituto de Estudios Avanzados-IDEA, Caracas, Venezuela. amahfoud@idea.org.ve
Domínguez
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Rizzo
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Ribes
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D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005333:Fetus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D005977:Glutarates / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008661:Metabolism, Inborn Errors / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D009421:Nervous System Malformations / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D005977:Glutarates; C035736:glutaric acid