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[Progressive convulsive encephalopathy: considering a abnormality of biopterin metabolism]
Y Mikaeloff1, F Pinton, C Sevin
1Service de neuropédiatrie, hôpital Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, Paris, France.
Background:
Symptomatic forms of hyperphenylalaninemia are rare in France since neonatal screening began.
Case Report:
A child born in Algeria from consanguinous parents was referred at 2 years of age for a severe epileptic encephalopathy with hypotonia. Amino acid chromatography revealed hyperphenylalaninemia due to a dihydropteridine reductase deficiency. Dietary restriction of phenylalanine and oral administration of amine precursors, L-dopa and 5-hydroxytryptophan had poor efficiency on epilepsy and psychomotor delay.
Conclusion:
Diagnosis of hyperphenylalaninemia must be evoked in any children with progressive encephalopathy born in country where neonatal screening is not performed.