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Published on: December 3, 2016
[Bone changes in homocystinuria in childhood]
Insights
Homocystinuria, a metabolic disorder, causes significant skeletal abnormalities in children. Roentgenological evaluation revealed widespread bone changes, particularly osteoporosis, in the spine and growth areas.
Area of Science:
- Medical Genetics
- Pediatric Radiology
- Biochemical Disorders
Background:
- Homocystinuria is an autosomal recessive disorder of sulfur amino acid metabolism.
- It is clinically characterized by lens dislocation, intellectual disability, skeletal abnormalities, and thromboembolic events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To radiologically evaluate and characterize skeletal abnormalities in pediatric patients with homocystinuria.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of roentgenological findings in 12 pediatric patients diagnosed with homocystinuria.
- Focus on identifying specific bone changes and their locations.
Main Results:
- Widespread skeletal abnormalities were detected in all patients.
- Key findings include osteoporosis, dolichostenomelia, arachnodactyly, and calcific spicules in wrist physes.
- Abnormalities were most prominent in the dorsolumbar spine and epi-metaphyseal growth areas.
Conclusions:
- Cystathionine synthase deficiency (homocystinuria) leads to significant and widespread skeletal manifestations in children.
- Radiological assessment is crucial for identifying these bone changes, aiding in diagnosis and management.
Abstract:
Homocystinuria due to cystathionine synthase deficiency is an autosomal recessive error of sulphur amino acid metabolism characterized clinically by lens dislocation, mental retardation, skeletal abnormalities and thromboembolic phenomena. We have evaluated roentgenologically our series of 12 pediatric homocystinuric patients to detect skeletal abnormalities. Bone changes are widespread and occur mainly in dorsolumbar spine and in epi-metaphyseal growth areas. Osteoporosis is the most important finding. Dolichostenomelia and arachnodactily are relatively common. Calcific spicules occur frequently in the wrist physes.
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