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Biomedical subjects

F Menni

Publications and source records attributed to F Menni.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Bilateral nuclear cataracts as the first neonatal sign of Fanconi-Bickel syndrome.

A patient with early bilateral nuclear cataracts and subsequent diagnosis of Fanconi-Bickel syndrome is described. Despite impaired galactose and glucose metabolism, cataracts have been reported in only few cases with this disorder. We conclude that Fanconi-Bickel syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of neonatal cataracts. The pathogenesis of this complication has not been fully elucidated.

Cataract↗

Molecular analysis of 30 mucopolysaccharidosis type I patients: evaluation of the mutational spectrum in Italian population and identification of 13 novel mutations.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS-I orMPS1) is an autosomal recessive condition characterized by a broad range of clinical symptoms. Molecular diagnosis of MPS-I is important for analyzing genotype-phenotype correlation and for selecting patients for innovative therapies. In this study we analyzed 30 Italian MPS-I patients with different phenotypes (20 severe, 6 intermediate, 4 mild) in an attempt to recognize the mutational spectrum in our population and to identify major DNA alterations specific to our country. We identified 93% of mutated alleles (56 out of 60) with the reconstruction of the complete genotype in 26 patients out of 30. Twenty-three different mutations were found, 13 of which are novel while the remaining 10 have been already described. Among the novel mutations we found 5 non conservative missense mutations (A160D, E178K, P183R, G197D, D349Y), one nonsense mutation (C53X), 6 deletions (468-470del3, 486-491del6, 755-759del5, 1251delC, 1839-1867del29, 1902-1903del2), and one splice site mutation (IVS11+5G>A). No common mutation for MPS-I is present in our country. Frequently (40% of the alleles), mutations were found in just one or two patients. However, Q70X, P533R, G51D, and W402X mutations were present in several patients (15%, 13.3%, 13.3%, and 11.6% of the alleles respectively) suggesting a Mediterranean origin of the P533R and G51D mutations. In most cases the patients' genotypes were unique combinations of mutations. The great heterogeneity found in our MPS-I population hampers mutation detection and hinders the genotype-phenotype correlation.

Alleles↗

Neurologic outcomes of 90 neonates and infants with persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the neurologic outcomes of neonates and infants suffering from persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy (PHHI). METHODS: The neurologic development of 90 PHHI patients was studied retrospectively. Sixty-three patients were treated surgically and 27 were treated medically. Fifty-four patients were neonates, of whom 8 were treated medically and 46 were operated on (19 for a focal adenomatous hyperplasia and 27 for diffuse hyperinsulinism). Thirty-six patients had infancy-onset hyperinsulinism, of whom 19 were treated medically and 17 underwent pancreatectomy (10 patients for a focal adenomatous hyperplasia and 7 for diffuse hyperinsulinism). RESULTS: Severe psychomotor retardation was found in 7 patients, 6 with neonatal-onset PHHI. Intermediate psychomotor disability existed in 12 patients; epilepsy existed in 16. Neonatal-onset was the main risk factor for severe retardation or epilepsy. Medically treated patients were less severely affected than those treated by surgery, and there was no difference between the diffuse and focal forms of hyperinsulinism. CONCLUSION: Neonatal hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia is still a severe disease with an important risk to rapidly develop severe mental retardation and epilepsy.

Age of Onset↗

Medium-chain triglyceride loading test in carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase deficiency: insights on treatment.

The results of a medium-chain triglyceride loading test in a patient with severe carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase deficiency clearly demonstrated impaired in vivo utilization of medium-chain triglycerides. The loading test was performed at the ages of 7 and 36 months. The diet was adjusted accordingly. The clinical course has been favourable and the child is now in very good condition at age 4 years. We conclude that the utilization of medium-chain triglycerides is only partial in carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase deficiency and cannot reasonably be considered an optimal source of energy for these patients. Careful adjustment of dietetic treatment may help to improve prognosis.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗