Normal growth and muscle dysfunction in X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets associated with a novel mutation in the PHEX gene.
BACKGROUND
X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) is characterized by hypophosphatemia and growth retardation. Early diagnosis and treatment improve growth.


OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to describe long-term observations of a family with XLH due to a novel mutation of the PHEX gene with unusual clinical features, including normal growth.


METHODS
The mother and her two sons were followed in the same institution for nearly 30 yr.


RESULTS
The mother had hypophosphatemia and normal height (Z score, -0.6) without ever receiving any treatment. Her two sons achieved final heights of 183.7 cm (Z score, -0.01) and 182.7 cm (Z score, -0.18), respectively, despite late initiation of treatment with phosphate and low serum phosphate levels. In addition, they had reversible proximal myopathy that took about 7 yr to resolve in one of them. Direct sequencing of the PHEX gene revealed a new splice site mutation in intron 4 of the gene (IVS4+6T-->C) resulting in skipping of exon 4.


CONCLUSIONS
Three members of a family with XLH due to a novel mutation of the PHEX gene had a normal growth pattern despite late diagnosis and treatment of the two boys and no treatment at all of their mother. The pathophysiological basis of this phenotype-genotype association warrants further investigation.
Makras
Polyzois
P
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Hamdy
Neveen A T
NA
Kant
Sarina G
SG
Papapoulos
Socrates E
SE
D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density; D053098:Familial Hypophosphatemic Rickets / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D040181:Genetic Diseases, X-Linked; D006128:Growth; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D053402:PHEX Phosphate Regulating Neutral Endopeptidase / Q000235:genetics*
D053402:PHEX Phosphate Regulating Neutral Endopeptidase; C506231:PHEX protein, human