Extreme clinical variability of dilated cardiomyopathy in two siblings with Alström syndrome

Pediatr Cardiol. 2013 Feb;34(2):455-8. doi: 10.1007/s00246-012-0296-6. Epub 2012 Mar 24.

Abstract

Alström syndrome (ALMS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the ALMS1 gene. We report two brothers, 3 and 4 years of age and diagnosed with ALMS, who initially presented in infancy with severe dilated cardiomyopathy during febrile respiratory infection. The disease course in the two siblings was marked by significant intrafamilial variability. Although cardiomyopathy in the older sibling has mainly resolved thus allowing for the discontinuation of medical therapy, heart function in the younger sibling continues to deteriorate despite maximal drug support with furosemide, carvedilol, captopril, and aldospirone. Genetic analysis revealed homozygous mutations, c.8008C>T (R2670X), in ALMS1 resulting in premature protein truncation. This report further emphasizes the exceptional intrafamilial variability of ALMS, mainly during the natural course of cardiac disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Alstrom Syndrome / complications
  • Alstrom Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Alstrom Syndrome / genetics
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / diagnosis*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / etiology
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Child, Preschool
  • Codon, Nonsense*
  • DNA / genetics*
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Echocardiography
  • Homozygote
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • Siblings*

Substances

  • ALMS1 protein, human
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Codon, Nonsense
  • Proteins
  • DNA