Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 3, 2025

Early Pathological and Magnetic Resonance Detection of Cerebral Injury Using a Rat Model of Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
Published on: October 28, 2022
The prognosis of citrin deficiency differs between early-identified newborn and later-onset symptomatic infants
Cheng-Yu Chen1,2, Mei-Hwei Chang1, Huey-Ling Chen1
1Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Insights
Early diagnosis of citrin deficiency via newborn screening leads to better patient outcomes. Patients identified early experience less severe cholestasis and recover faster, highlighting the importance of timely intervention and follow-up care.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Metabolic Disorders
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Citrin deficiency, a genetic disorder, can lead to neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis (NICCD).
- The prognosis for NICCD is not always favorable, necessitating early identification strategies.
- This study compares outcomes of early vs. late diagnosis in citrin deficiency patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prognostic differences between citrin deficiency patients identified via newborn screening (NBS) and those diagnosed later due to cholestasis/hepatitis.
- To evaluate the impact of early diagnosis on disease severity and recovery time.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 42 genetically confirmed SLC25A13 mutation patients.
- Categorization into two groups: 15 identified by NBS and 27 diagnosed clinically.
- Data collection on diagnosis age, cholestasis, liver enzymes, and long-term outcomes.
Main Results:
- Newborn screening (NBS) group patients were diagnosed younger and achieved cholestasis-free status earlier.
- NBS group showed significantly lower peak direct bilirubin and liver enzyme levels.
- Long-term follow-up revealed 21% dyslipidemia and 36% failure to thrive; overall mortality was 2.4%.
Conclusions:
- Early identification of citrin deficiency through NBS is associated with a better prognosis.
- Timely diagnosis and consistent follow-up are crucial for improving long-term outcomes in NICCD patients.
Background:
The prognosis for patients with citrin deficiency is not always benign. This study examined the differences between patients identified early by newborn screening and patients identified later with cholestasis/hepatitis.
Materials And Methods:
This retrospective study included 42 patients with genetically confirmed SLC25A13 mutations who were born between May 1996 and August 2019. Fifteen patients were identified during newborn screening (NBS group) and 27 patients were identified through the onset of cholestasis/hepatitis in infancy (clinical group).
Results:
Overall, 90% of the patients presented with cholestasis, among whom 86% (31/36) recovered at a median age of 174 days. Compared with patients in the clinical group, patients in the NBS group were significantly younger at diagnosis and at cholestasis-free achievement; they also had significantly lower levels of peak direct bilirubin and liver enzymes. At the median follow-up age of 11.8 years, 21% of the patients had dyslipidemia, whereas 36% of the patients had failure to thrive. The overall mortality rate was 2.4%. Variant c.851_854del was the most frequent, constituting 44% of the mutant alleles.
Conclusion:
Patients identified early by NBS had a better prognosis, demonstrating the importance of a timely diagnosis of NICCD and the need for careful follow-up.
Impact:
Some cases of neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency (NICCD) are not benign. Compared with patients identified later based on the presence of cholestasis/hepatitis, patients identified early by newborn screening have less severe cholestasis and are cholestasis-free at a significantly younger age. A timely diagnosis is needed, along with follow-up examinations that assess metabolic profile and body weight, to improve the long-term prognosis of NICCD patients.
Related Concept Videos
Inborn Errors of Metabolism
Acute Kidney Injury III: Clinical Manifestations
Lysosomal Hydrolases
Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction
Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation,...

