X-linked sideroblastic anemia and ataxia (XLSA-A) is a rare cause of early onset ataxia, which may be overlooked due to the usually mild asymptomatic anemia. The genetic defect has been identified as a mutation in the ABCB7 gene at Xq12-q13. The gene encodes a mitochondrial ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter protein involved in iron homeostasis. Until now only three families have been reported, each with a distinct missense mutation in this gene. We describe a fourth family with XLSA-A and a novel mutation in the ABCB7 gene.
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