Menkes kinky hair disease (Menkes syndrome). A case report.
Menkes disease (MD) is a rare genetic neurodegenerative disorder. It is caused by a mutation in the ATP7A gene, which codes for the copper-transporting ATPase in the cell organelles. Dysfunction of many copper-dependent enzymes results in low concentrations of copper in some tissues and accumulation of copper in others. We report on a boy that at the age of 2 months presented with encephalopathy with epileptic seizures and later had a progressive developmental disorder. Despite treatment with various antiepileptic drugs, some seizures still persisted. Our diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical and laboratory findings. We also plan to confirm the diagnosis genetically. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of MD in Slovenia. Treatment of MD is usually not successful, especially in sporadic cases, because it usually begins too late. Early neonatal treatment may be successful in half of the cases.
Fister
Petja
P
University Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 1, 1525 Ljubljana. petja_fister@yahoo.com
Rakus
Jona
J
Primec
Zvonka Rener
ZR
Strazisar
Barbara Gnidovec
BG
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000209:etiology; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D007706:Menkes Kinky Hair Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology
D000927:Anticonvulsants