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Published on: August 25, 2023
Children with Severe Hypercholesterolemia Caused by a Pathogenic Mutation in ABCG5
Hayato Tada1, Hirofumi Okada1, Akihiro Nomura1
1Department of Cardiology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.
Insights
Pathogenic mutations in ABCG5 cause severe hypercholesterolemia in infants, particularly when breastfed. Dietary changes and ezetimibe effectively lowered low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in affected patients.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic disorder characterized by extremely high LDL cholesterol.
- The ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 5 (ABCG5) gene plays a crucial role in cholesterol transport.
Observation:
- Three infants with severe hypercholesterolemia, exclusively breastfed, showed decreased LDL cholesterol after weaning.
- An 8-year-old girl with suspected familial hypercholesterolemia also had pathogenic ABCG5 mutations.
Findings:
- Genetic sequencing identified pathogenic mutations in the ABCG5 gene in all studied patients.
- A cholesterol-reduced diet significantly lowered LDL cholesterol levels.
- Ezetimibe administration proved beneficial in managing hypercholesterolemia.
Implications:
- This study highlights ABCG5 mutations as a cause of severe infantile hypercholesterolemia.
- Early diagnosis and targeted interventions, including diet and medication, are crucial for managing this condition.
- Understanding the role of ABCG5 in cholesterol metabolism can inform future therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
We herein present a case series of hypercholesterolemia caused by a pathogenic mutation in the ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 5 (ABCG5). Three unrelated infantile patients who were breastfed and had extremely elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were referred to our hospital. Their LDL cholesterol levels decreased significantly after weaning. Panel sequencing revealed a pathogenic mutation in ABCG5 in each patient. An 8-year-old girl was also referred due to suspected familial hypercholesterolemia. Panel sequencing revealed a pathogenic mutation in ABCG5. A cholesterol-reduced diet alone significantly reduced the LDL cholesterol levels. Moreover, the administration of ezetimibe was found to be beneficial.
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