Juvenile nephronophthisis and dysthyroidism: a rare association

Nephronophthisis, an autosomal recessive kidney disease, represents the most frequent genetic cause of end-stage kidney disease in the first three decades of life. A 27-year-old male was presented with gait imbalance, sever pruritus since 10 days prior time of admission. In past medical history, he had bilateral cataract, torsional nystagmus, and bilateral optic nerve atrophy since 2 years of age. He was also mentioned history of multinodular goiter with dysfunctional thyroid state since 2 years before admission. At admission bilateral blindness, torsional nystagmus, asymmetric thyromegaly with nodularity was found in physical examination. Laboratory tests showed elevated urea and creatinine (200, 10.7 mg/dl), hypomagnesemia (1.1 mEq/l), decreased thyroid stimulating hormone (<0.004 mIU/l). Ophthalmologist consultation confirmed retinitis pigmentosa. Renal sonography showed small-sized kidneys. Brain magnetic resonance imaging did not reveal molar tooth sign. Genetic testing performed and a large homozygous deletion at the NPHP1 gene locus was found. The patient was diagnosed with juvenile nephronophthisis and consideration of dysthyroidism as extrarenal manifestation of nephronophthisis is suggested in this case. Furthermore, loss of function mutation in SLC41A1 gene that leads to magnesium depletion must be noted in patients with suspected to nephronophthisis.