Lesch-Nyhan syndrome: The saga of metabolic abnormalities and self-injurious behavior

Intractable Rare Dis Res. 2017 Feb;6(1):65-68. doi: 10.5582/irdr.2016.01076.

Abstract

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (LNS) is an X-linked recessive disorder of purine metabolism caused by a mutation in Xq26.2-q26.3 (OMIM 308000.0004). The presence of the diagnostic triad, i.e. signs of self-injurious behavior (SIB) and results of pedigree analysis and novel molecular biology & genetic testing, confirms the diagnosis of LNS. With a level of hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl-transferase 1 (HPRT1) enzyme activity < 2%, patients develop neurological, neurocognitive, and neuromotor symptoms along with SIB. Described here is a case of 4-year-old boy who was diagnosed with LNS. The boy displayed SIB, i.e. biting of the lips and fingers, and he had cerebral venous sinus thrombosis caused by LNS.

Keywords: Lesch-Nyhan disease; X-linked disorder; self-injurious behavior.

Publication types

  • Case Reports