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Paeds Vivasgenetics-dysmorphology-and-metabolism

Paeds Vivas · genetics-dysmorphology-and-metabolism

Mucopolysaccharidoses and oligosaccharidoses — branching viva

Branching viva on the mucopolysaccharidoses and oligosaccharidoses: recognising the coarse-facies phenotype, classifying the subtypes by stored substrate and the discriminating cornea-versus-intellect signs, confirming with a layered urine-and-enzyme-and-genotype workup, and matching the disease-modifying therapy to central-nervous-system involvement.

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Target exams

RACP DCEMRCPCH ClinicalRCPSC Pediatrics
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Target exams

RACP DCEMRCPCH ClinicalRCPSC Pediatrics
Prompt
Outpatient clinic: a three-year-old who appeared normal at birth now has progressive coarse facies, macroglossia, hepatosplenomegaly, claw hands, and a gibbus. The examiner asks: what is your unifying diagnosis and substrate group, what is your stepwise investigation, and how does central-nervous-system involvement govern the treatment — then branches to the same child with a clear cornea (Hunter, MPS II), to a child with preserved intellect and striking skeletal dysplasia (Morquio, MPS IV), and finally to an infant with coarse facies, gingival hyperplasia, and elevated plasma lysosomal enzymes (I-cell disease).

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Viva brief

A three-year-old who appeared normal at birth is referred for progressive coarsening of the facial features, snoring, and slowing of speech. Examination reveals macroglossia, hepatosplenomegaly, claw-hand deformity, and a thoracolumbar gibbus, with dysostosis multiplex on the skeletal survey. [1] [2]

Stem question: What is your unifying diagnosis family, what is your stepwise investigation, and how does central-nervous-system involvement govern the treatment? [1] [2]

Branch 1 (clear cornea, a boy): The cornea is clear. How does this redirect the subtype, what is the inheritance, and which family members should be screened? [1] [2]

Branch 2 (preserved intellect, striking skeletal dysplasia): The intellect is entirely preserved, but the trunk is short, the neck short, and the cervical spine unstable. Name the subtype, its cardinal complication, and the surveillance it demands. [3]

Branch 3 (infant with coarse facies, gingival hyperplasia, elevated plasma lysosomal enzymes): An infant presents with coarse features, striking gingival hyperplasia, restricted joints, and cardiomegaly, but plasma lysosomal enzymes are markedly elevated. Name the disorder and explain the paradox. Contrast its prognosis with severe Hurler and explain why Hurler is transplantable while this disorder is not. [2] [4]

References4ShowHide
  1. [1]Muenzer J. Overview of the mucopolysaccharidoses. Rheumatology (Oxford), 2011.PMID 22210669
  2. [2]Wraith JE. Mucopolysaccharidoses and mucolipidoses. Handb Clin Neurol, 2013.PMID 23622395
  3. [3]Akyol MU, Alden TD, Amartino H, et al. Recommendations for the management of MPS IVA: systematic evidence- and consensus-based guidance. Orphanet J Rare Dis, 2019.PMID 31196221
  4. [4]Gentner B, Tucci F, Galimberti S, et al. Hematopoietic stem- and progenitor-cell gene therapy for Hurler syndrome. N Engl J Med, 2021.PMID 34788506
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