Lesch-Nyhan syndrome history and symptoms: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
m (Categories)
 
(4 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
__NOTOC__
{{Lesch-Nyhan syndrome}}
{{Lesch-Nyhan syndrome}}
{{CMG}}; {{AE}} {{AN}}
{{CMG}}; {{AE}} {{AN}}


==Overview==
==Overview==
LNS is characterized by three major hallmarks: [[neurology|neurologic]] dysfunction, [[Cognition|cognitive]] and [[Human behavior|behavioral]] disturbances, as well as [[uric acid]] overproduction ([[hyperuricemia]]). Damage to the [[Basal Ganglia|basal ganglia]] causes victims to adopt a characteristic fencing stance due to the nature of the lesion. Some may also be afflicted with [[anemia]] (macrocytic). Virtually all patients are male, and male victims suffer delayed growth and [[puberty]], and most develop shrunken testicles or [[testicular atrophy]].  Female carriers are at an increased risk for [[gout|gouty arthritis]], but are usually otherwise unaffected.
==History==
*The initial symptoms of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome begin in first few months of life itself. Classically, when the child is 3-5 months old, a delay in motor development is noticed along with [[hypotonia]] and failure to achieve milestones.
*Between 6-18 months of age, symptoms of [[spasticity]] and abnormal involuntary movements appear, which may be misdiagnosed as [[cerebral palsy]]. The motor and neurological symptoms progress until 3-6 years.
==Symptoms==
==Symptoms==
LNS is characterized by three major hallmarks: [[neurology|neurologic]] dysfunction, [[Cognition|cognitive]] and [[Human behavior|behavioral]] disturbances, as well as [[uric acid]] overproduction ([[hyperuricemia]]). Damage to the [[Basal Ganglia|basal ganglia]] causes victims to adopt a characteristic fencing stance due to the nature of the lesion. Some may also be afflicted with [[anemia]] (macrocytic). Virtually all patients are male, and male victims suffer delayed growth and [[puberty]], and most develop shrunken testicles or [[testicular atrophy]].  Female carriers are at an increased risk for [[gout|gouty arthritis]], but are usually otherwise unaffected. 
[[Image:UricAcid.png|thumb|220px|center|uric acid molecule]]
 
===Overproduction of uric acid===
===Overproduction of uric acid===
One of the first symptoms of the disease is the presence of sand-like crystals of [[uric acid]] in the diapers of the affected infant. Overproduction of uric acid may lead to the development of uric acid crystals or stones in the [[kidneys]], [[ureters]], or [[Urinary bladder|bladder]]. Such crystals deposited in joints later in the disease may produce [[gout]]-like [[arthritis]], with swelling and tenderness.
*Orange colored [[crystals]] in diapers
 
*[[Nephrolithiasis]]
[[Image:UricAcid.png|thumb|220px|left|uric acid molecule]]
*[[Gouty arthritis]]
The overproduction of uric acid is present at birth, but may not be recognized by routine clinical laboratory testing methods. The serum uric acid concentration is often normal, as the excess purines are promptly eliminated in the urine. The crystals usually appear as an orange grainy material, or they may coalesce to form either multiple tiny stones, or distinct large stones that are difficult to pass. The stones, or calculi, usually cause [[hematuria]] (blood in the urine) and increase the risk of [[urinary tract infection]]. Some victims suffer kidney damage due to such [[kidney stone]]s. Stones may be the presenting feature of the disease, but can go undetected for months or even years.


===Nervous system impairment===
===Nervous system impairment===
The periods before and surrounding birth are typically normal in individuals with LNS. The most common presenting features are abnormally decreased [[muscle]] tone ([[hypotonia]]) and developmental delay, which are evident by three to six months of age. Affected individuals are late in sitting up, while most never crawl or [[walking|walk]]. Lack of [[Speech communication|speech]] is also a very common trait associated with LNS.
*[[Developmental delay]]: evident by 3- 6 months of age.
 
*Decreased [[muscle]] tone ([[hypotonia]])
Irritability is most often noticed along with the first signs of nervous system impairment.  Within the first few years of life, [[extrapyramidal]] involvement causes abnormal involuntary muscle contractions such as loss of motor control ([[dystonia]]), writhing motions ([[choreoathetosis]]), and arching of the spine ([[opisthotonus]]). Signs of [[pyramidal system]] involvement, including spasticity, overactive reflexes ([[hyperreflexia]]) and extensor [[plantar reflex]]es, also occur. The resemblance to athetoid [[cerebral palsy]] is apparent in the neurologic aspects of LNS. As a result, most individuals are initially diagnosed as having cerebral palsy. The motor disability is so extensive that most individuals never walk, and are confined to a wheelchair for life.
*Difficulty crawling or [[walking]]
*Lack of [[Speech communication|speech]] is also a very common trait associated with LNS.
*[[Irritability]]
*[[Extrapyramidal]] involvement:
**Abnormal involuntary muscle contractions
**[[Dystonia|Loss of motor control]],
**[[Choreoathetosis|Writhing motions]],
**[[Ophistotonus|Arching of the spine]]
*[[Pyramidal system]] involvement:
**[[Spasticity]]


===Self-injuring behavior===
===Self-injuring behavior===
Persons affected are cognitively impaired and have behavioral disturbances that emerge between two and three years of age. The uncontrollable self-injury associated with LNS also usually begins at three years of age. The self-injury begins with biting of the lips and tongue and as the disease progresses, affected individuals frequently develop finger biting and head banging. The self-injury can increase during times of stress.  Self-mutilation is a distinguishing characteristic of the disease and is apparent in 85% of affected males.
*Patients affected are cognitively impaired and have behavioral disturbances that emerge between two and three years of age.
 
*The uncontrollable self-injury associated with LNS also usually begins at three years of age.
The majority of individuals are cognitively impaired, which is not easy to determine because of the behavioral disturbances and motor deficits associated with the syndrome. In many ways, the behaviors may be seen as a psychological extension of the compulsion to cause self-injury: rejecting desired treats or travel, repaying kindness with coldness or rage, failing to answer test questions correctly despite study and a desire to succeed, provoking anger from caregivers when affection is desired, and so on.
*The self-injury begins with biting of the lips and tongue and as the disease progresses, affected individuals frequently develop finger biting and head banging.
 
*The self-injury can increase during times of stress.  Self-mutilation is a distinguishing characteristic of the disease and is apparent in 85% of affected males.
Compulsive behaviors also occur, including aggressiveness, [[vomiting]], spitting, and involuntary swearing, or [[coprolalia]]. The development of this type of behavior is sometimes seen within the first year, or in early childhood, but others may not develop it until later in life.
*The majority of individuals are cognitively impaired, which is not easy to determine because of the behavioral disturbances and motor deficits associated with the syndrome.
*In many ways, the behaviors may be seen as a psychological extension of the compulsion to cause self-injury: rejecting desired treats or travel, repaying kindness with coldness or rage, failing to answer test questions correctly despite study and a desire to succeed, provoking anger from caregivers when affection is desired, and so on.
*Compulsive behaviors also occur, including aggressiveness, [[vomiting]], spitting, and involuntary swearing, or [[coprolalia]]. The development of this type of behavior is sometimes seen within the first year, or in early childhood, but others may not develop it until later in life.


=== LNS in females ===
=== LNS in females ===
While carrier females are generally [[asymptomatic]], they do experience an increase in uric acid excretion, and some may develop symptoms of hyperuricemia, and suffer from gout in their later years. Testing in this context has no clinical consequence, but it may reveal the possibility of transmitting the trait to male children. Women may also require testing if a male child develops LNS. In this instance, a negative test means the son's disease is the result of a new mutation, and the risk in siblings is not increased.
*While carrier females are generally [[asymptomatic]], they do experience an increase in uric acid excretion, and some may develop symptoms of hyperuricemia, and suffer from gout in their later years.
 
*Testing in this context has no clinical consequence, but it may reveal the possibility of transmitting the trait to male children. Women may also require testing if a male child develops LNS. In this instance, a negative test means the son's disease is the result of a new mutation, and the risk in siblings is not increased.
Females who carry one copy of the defective gene are carriers with a 50% chance of passing the disease on to their sons. In order for a female to be affected, she would need to have two copies of the mutated gene, one of which would be inherited from her father. Males affected with LNS do not usually have children due to the debilitating effects of the disease. It is possible for a female to inherit an X chromosome from her unaffected father, who carries a new mutation of the HPRT gene. Under these circumstances, a girl could be born with LNS, and though there are a few reports of this happening, it is very rare. The overwhelming majority of patients with LNS are male.
*Females who carry one copy of the defective gene are carriers with a 50% chance of passing the disease on to their sons. In order for a female to be affected, she would need to have two copies of the mutated gene, one of which would be inherited from her father.
*Males affected with LNS do not usually have children due to the debilitating effects of the disease. It is possible for a female to inherit an X chromosome from her unaffected father, who carries a new mutation of the [[HGPRT]] gene.
*Under these circumstances, a girl could be born with LNS, and though there are a few reports of this happening, it is very rare. The overwhelming majority of patients with LNS are male.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}
[[Category:Pediatrics]]
[[Category:Endocrinology]]


{{WH}}
{{WH}}
{{WS}}
{{WS}}

Latest revision as of 19:10, 26 July 2016

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Lesch-Nyhan syndrome from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Electrocardiogram

X Ray

CT

MRI

Ultrasound

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome history and symptoms On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome history and symptoms

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Lesch-Nyhan syndrome history and symptoms

CDC on Lesch-Nyhan syndrome history and symptoms

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome history and symptoms in the news

Blogs on Lesch-Nyhan syndrome history and symptoms

Directions to Hospitals Treating Lesch-Nyhan syndrome

Risk calculators and risk factors for Lesch-Nyhan syndrome history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aarti Narayan, M.B.B.S [2]

Overview

LNS is characterized by three major hallmarks: neurologic dysfunction, cognitive and behavioral disturbances, as well as uric acid overproduction (hyperuricemia). Damage to the basal ganglia causes victims to adopt a characteristic fencing stance due to the nature of the lesion. Some may also be afflicted with anemia (macrocytic). Virtually all patients are male, and male victims suffer delayed growth and puberty, and most develop shrunken testicles or testicular atrophy. Female carriers are at an increased risk for gouty arthritis, but are usually otherwise unaffected.

History

  • The initial symptoms of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome begin in first few months of life itself. Classically, when the child is 3-5 months old, a delay in motor development is noticed along with hypotonia and failure to achieve milestones.
  • Between 6-18 months of age, symptoms of spasticity and abnormal involuntary movements appear, which may be misdiagnosed as cerebral palsy. The motor and neurological symptoms progress until 3-6 years.

Symptoms

uric acid molecule

Overproduction of uric acid

Nervous system impairment

Self-injuring behavior

  • Patients affected are cognitively impaired and have behavioral disturbances that emerge between two and three years of age.
  • The uncontrollable self-injury associated with LNS also usually begins at three years of age.
  • The self-injury begins with biting of the lips and tongue and as the disease progresses, affected individuals frequently develop finger biting and head banging.
  • The self-injury can increase during times of stress. Self-mutilation is a distinguishing characteristic of the disease and is apparent in 85% of affected males.
  • The majority of individuals are cognitively impaired, which is not easy to determine because of the behavioral disturbances and motor deficits associated with the syndrome.
  • In many ways, the behaviors may be seen as a psychological extension of the compulsion to cause self-injury: rejecting desired treats or travel, repaying kindness with coldness or rage, failing to answer test questions correctly despite study and a desire to succeed, provoking anger from caregivers when affection is desired, and so on.
  • Compulsive behaviors also occur, including aggressiveness, vomiting, spitting, and involuntary swearing, or coprolalia. The development of this type of behavior is sometimes seen within the first year, or in early childhood, but others may not develop it until later in life.

LNS in females

  • While carrier females are generally asymptomatic, they do experience an increase in uric acid excretion, and some may develop symptoms of hyperuricemia, and suffer from gout in their later years.
  • Testing in this context has no clinical consequence, but it may reveal the possibility of transmitting the trait to male children. Women may also require testing if a male child develops LNS. In this instance, a negative test means the son's disease is the result of a new mutation, and the risk in siblings is not increased.
  • Females who carry one copy of the defective gene are carriers with a 50% chance of passing the disease on to their sons. In order for a female to be affected, she would need to have two copies of the mutated gene, one of which would be inherited from her father.
  • Males affected with LNS do not usually have children due to the debilitating effects of the disease. It is possible for a female to inherit an X chromosome from her unaffected father, who carries a new mutation of the HGPRT gene.
  • Under these circumstances, a girl could be born with LNS, and though there are a few reports of this happening, it is very rare. The overwhelming majority of patients with LNS are male.

References

Template:WH Template:WS