Metabolic crisis after trivial head trauma in late-onset isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency: Report of two new cases and review of published patients

Brain Dev. 2020 Feb;42(2):157-164. doi: 10.1016/j.braindev.2019.11.003. Epub 2019 Dec 2.

Abstract

Background: Isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency (ISOD) is a rare autosomal recessively inherited inborn error of metabolism, caused by mutation in SUOX gene. ISOD has two kind of presentation; early and late-onset. The late-onset form is extremely rare and only 10 cases have been reported.

Methods: We report two new cases of late-onset ISOD with biochemical and genetic confirmation. We did a review of the previously published cases of late-onset ISOD.

Results: Together with the presented two cases, 12 cases were available for analysis. The median age at symptom onset and at diagnosis was 8.5 and 23 months respectively. Almost all children had acute regression of milestones followed by slow recovery. The common presenting signs and symptoms were movement disorders, seizures, ectopia lentis and hypertonia. Five children had antecedent events. Trivial trauma precipitating the metabolic crisis was unique to the two cases we report. The most common MRI feature was globus pallidi changes followed by cerebellar white matter changes, vermian hypoplasia and thinned out corpus callosum. Diffusion weighted sequence was performed in 3 children and all had diffusion restriction in the affected area.

Conclusion: Trivial trauma can precipitate metabolic crisis in late-onset ISOD. Low plasma homocysteine and involvement of globus pallidi with diffusion restriction on the MRI are important diagnostic clues. Early diagnosis and intervention with special diet may be effective in preventing long term neurodisability.

Keywords: Diffusion restriction; Isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency; Late-onset; Metabolic crisis; Molybdenum cofactor deficiency; Trivial trauma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors / etiology*
  • Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors / metabolism*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / complications*
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / metabolism
  • Female
  • Globus Pallidus / pathology
  • Homocysteine / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Metal Metabolism, Inborn Errors / metabolism
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Sulfite Oxidase / deficiency*
  • Sulfite Oxidase / metabolism

Substances

  • Homocysteine
  • Sulfite Oxidase

Supplementary concepts

  • Molybdenum cofactor deficiency
  • Sulfite oxidase deficiency