• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.60-64
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• 2008

Kabuki syndrome is characterized by peculiar facial features, developmental delay, and mental retardation. Congenital hepatic abnormalities in Kabuki syndrome patients have been sporadically reported in the literature and consist of extrahepatic biliary atresia, neonatal sclerosing cholangitis, and transient neonatal cholestasis. We report here a case of congenital hepatic fibrosis in a patient with Kabuki syndrome. To our knowledge, only one case of congenital hepatic fibrosis has been reported in the setting of Kabuki syndrome.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.97-102
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• 2010

The two new female cases of Angelman syndrome (AS) were described, which diagnosed on the basis of clinical features (dysmorphic facial features, severe mental retardation with absent speech, peculiar jerky movements, ataxic gait and paroxysms of inappropriate laughter) and neurophysiological findings. Failure to detect the deletion of the long arm of chromosome 15 or the absence of epileptic seizure were not considered sufficient to exclude a diagnosis of AS. Feeding problems, developmental delay and early signs of ataxia, especially tremor on handling objects and unstable posture when seated, proved effective as the clinical markers for early diagnosis of AS. Most of the authors agreed about the existence of three main EEG patterns in AS which may appear in isolation or in various combinations in the same patient. The most frequently observed pattern in children has prolonged runs of high amplitude rhythmic 2-3 Hz activity predominantly over the frontal region with superimposed interictal epileptiform discharges. High amplitude rhythmic 4-6 Hz activity, prominent in the occipital regions, with spikes, which can be facilitated by eye closure, is often seen in children under the age of 12 years. The EEG findings are characteristic of AS when seen in the appropriate clinical context and can be helpful to identify AS patients at an early age when genetic counselling may be particularly important.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.435-438
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• 2008

The Cerebro-oculo-facio-skeletal (COFS) syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by multiple abnormalities that involve the brain, face, eyes, and extremities. COFS syndrome is regarded as a degenerative disorder of the brain and spinal cord caused by a mutation of the DNA repair genes. We report on an 8-month-old girl with COFS syndrome who exhibited growth and developmental delay, hypotonia, microcephaly, nystagmus, cleft palate, widely separated nipples, inguinal hernia, camptodactyly, and rocker-bottom feet with vertical talus.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Tobacco Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.26-35
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• 1999

Effects of $\alpha$-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and $\alpha$-difluoromethylarginine (DFMA), inhibitors of polyamine syntheic enzymes (ornithine decarboxylase, arginine decarboxylase), on ovary were investigated during pupal-adult development of Helicoverpa assulta. Two inhibitors (DFMO, DFMA) showed definite inhibition effects on ovarian development. The inhibition effect on ovaries weight was more marked in DFMA-injection than that observed in DFMO-injection. Two inhibitors (DFMO, DFMA) gave rise to a peculiar decrease in ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) or arginine decarboxylase (ADC) activity in ovaries, 72 hrs (5-day old pupa) post injection. However, DFMO clearly exhibited supression of ODC activity after 96 hrs (6-day old pupa). In addition, two inhibitors (DFMO, DFMA) diminished putrescine content in the ovary. The spermidine level was slightly decreased by each injection of the inhibitors. However, two inhibitors (DFMO, DFMA) raised the spermine content at certain developmental stages in the ovary. Although the effect of DFMA was less severe, two inhibitors (DFMO, DFMA) caused not only an overall delay in ovarian development, but also abnormalities in cellular differentiation. Noted effects in the pupal ovary were the appearance of irregular nurse cells and partial destruction of follicle epidermal cells. Adult ovary showed rapid degradation of nurse cells, a reduction in the number of follicle epidermal cells and immature oocytes that had a low yolk content.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.36-39
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• 2014

Chromosome 3 (3p) deletion syndrome is a rare genomic disorder caused by a deletion at the terminal end of the short arm of chromosome 3. The primary characteristics of the syndrome are delayed development, dysmorphic features, and several other congenital anomalies. Here, we describe the case of a 2-year-old Korean girl with typical features of 3p deletion syndrome, including dysmorphic facial features, low birth weight, developmental delay, growth and cognitive retardation, and congenital heart disease. This case represents the first report of 3p deletion syndrome in Korea. Although phenotypes can be variable among patients, a clinically recognizable pattern has been described for this genetic defect, and our report helps to identify other cases with 3p deletion syndrome from a clinical and genetic perspective.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.275-280
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• 2016

Prenatal nicotine exposure over an entire pregnancy has been associated with an increased prevalence of hyperactivity, anxiety-like behavior and depression-like behavior in mature rats. However, the effects of maternal nicotine exposure in late gestation and lactation on the psychology and behavior of adolescent rat offspring are unclear. Thus, we investigated the effect of nicotine exposure during late gestation and lactation on anxiety-like and impulsive decision-making behavior in adolescent offspring of rat. Female rats were orally exposed to nicotine which is within range of plasma level of human chronic smokers during the period of third last period of gestation and lactation. When the offspring were weaned, we observed alterations in the anxiety-like behavior and decision-making ability of adolescent rat offspring using light/dark box test and T-maze delay-based cost-benefit decision-making task. The maternal consumption of nicotine reduced both the time spent in the light compartment and the number of transitions compared to nicotine-free rats. Moreover, such nicotine exposed adolescent offspring rats showed impulsive decision making which chose the instant reward in a decision-making situation. We found that nicotine exposure during late gestation and lactation induces an increase in anxiety-like and impulsive decision-making behavior at this developmental stage. These findings suggest that maternal nicotine-exposed offspring are at an increased risk of developing anxious and impulsive behavior.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.86-89
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• 2017

Waardenburg syndrome (WS) is a rare genetic disorder, including clinical features of pigmentary abnormalities of irides, skin, hair and sensorineural hearing loss and facial dysmorphism. Among the four types, WS type IV (Waardenburg-Shah syndrome) additionally represents Hirschsprung's disease. Mutations in the SOX10, END3, or EDNRB genes are known to cause WS type IV. Here, we report a 6 year-old girl who was diagnosed as WS type IV by typical clinical manifestations, including skin hypopigmentation, heterochromia of both irides, unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, mild developmental delay and Hirschsprung's disease. The diagnosis was confirmed by molecular genetic analysis of EDNRB. Two novel EDNRB mutations were identified, and each mutation was segregated from each of her parents. During the follow-up period, the patient underwent a surgery for spleen torsion and was medically managed due to recurrent enterocolitis. Also, she suffered from impaired immunity including Hirschsprung's associated enterocolitis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.7
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• pp.224-231
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• 2012

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex multisystem genetic disorder characterized by hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction. The main clinical features include neonatal hypotonia, distinctive facial features, overall developmental delay, and poor growth in infancy, followed by overeating with severe obesity, short stature, and hypogonadism later in development. This paper reviews recent updates regarding the genetic aspects of this disorder. Three mechanisms (paternal deletion, maternal disomy, and deficient imprinting) are recognized. Maternal disomy can arise because of 4 possible mechanisms: trisomy rescue (TR), gamete complementation (GC), monosomy rescue (MR), and postfertilization mitotic nondisjunction (Mit). Recently, TR/GC caused by nondisjunction at maternal meiosis 1 has been identified increasingly, as a result of advanced maternal childbearing age in Korea. We verified that the d3 allele increases the responsiveness of the growth hormone (GH) receptor to endogenous GH. This paper also provides an overview of endocrine dysfunctions in children with PWS, including GH deficiency, obesity, sexual development, hypothyroidism, and adrenal insufficiency, as well as the effects of GH treatment. GH treatment coupled with a strictly controlled diet during early childhood may help to reduce obesity, improve neurodevelopment, and increase muscle mass. A more active approach to correct these hormone deficiencies would benefit patients with PWS.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.sup1
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• pp.10-13
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• 2016

Chromosome 11q13 deletion syndrome has been previously reported as either otodental syndrome or oculo-oto-dental syndrome. The otodental syndrome is characterized by dental abnormalities and high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss, and by ocular coloboma in some cases. The underlying genetic defect causing otodental syndrome is a hemizygous microdeletion involving the FGF3 gene on chromosome 11q13.3. Recently, a new form of severe deafness, microtia (small ear) and small teeth, without the appearance of eye abnormalities, was also reported. In this report, we describe a 1-year-old girl presenting with ptosis of the left upper eyelid, right auricular deformity, high-arched palate, delayed dentition, simian line on the right hand, microcephaly, and developmental delay. In this patient, we identified a deletion in the chromosome 11q13.2-q13.3 (2.75 Mb) region by using an array-comparative genomic hybridization analysis. The deletion in chromosome 11q13 results in a syndrome characterized by variable clinical manifestations. Some of these manifestations involve craniofacial dysmorphology and require a functional workup for hearing, ophthalmic examinations, and long-term dental care.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.9
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• pp.384-395
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• 2014

Febrile seizure (FS) is the most common seizure disorder of childhood, and occurs in an age-related manner. FS are classified into simple and complex. FS has a multifactorial inheritance, suggesting that both genetic and environmental factors are causative. Various animal models have elucidated the pathophysiological mechanisms of FS. Risk factors for a first FS are a family history of the disorder and a developmental delay. Risk factors for recurrent FS are a family history, age below 18 months at seizure onset, maximum temperature, and duration of fever. Risk factors for subsequent development of epilepsy are neurodevelopmental abnormality and complex FS. Clinicians evaluating children after a simple FS should concentrate on identifying the cause of the child's fever. Meningitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for any febrile child. A simple FS does not usually require further evaluation such as ordering electroencephalography, neuroimaging, or other studies. Treatment is acute rescue therapy for prolonged FS. Antipyretics are not proven to reduce the recurrence risk for FS. Some evidence shows that both intermittent therapy with oral/rectal diazepam and continuous prophylaxis with oral phenobarbital or valproate are effective in reducing the risk of recurrence, but there is no evidence that these medications reduce the risk of subsequent epilepsy. Vaccine-induced FS is a rare event that does not lead to deleterious outcomes, but could affect patient and physician attitudes toward the safety of vaccination.