Hypomagnesemia-hypercalciuria-nephrocalcinosis and ocular findings: a new claudin-19 mutation

Familial hypomagnesemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis (FHHNC) is an autosomal recessive syndrome that affects the tight junction proteins claudin-16 and claudin-19 in the thick ascending limb. In patients with claudin-19 mutations, additional symptoms such as visual impairment and other ophthalmologic findings are expected. In this report, we present a seven-year-old girl with polyuria and polydipsia. She was the daughter of consanguineous parents with a history of neonatal hypomagnesemic convulsion. On physical examination, bilateral horizontal nystagmus, retinitis pigmentosa and severe myopia were detected. Laboratory examination revealed hypomagnesemia, hypercalciuria and hypermagnesuria. A clinical diagnosis of FHHNC caused possibly by claudin-19 mutation was decided with the ocular findings. DNA analysis revealed a novel homozygous nonsense mutation (W169X) in the CLDN19 gene. In conclusion, in a patient with consanguineous parents, history of hypomagnesemic convulsion and disturbed organization and development of the retina, a diagnosis of FHHNC caused by claudin-19 mutation should be considered.