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X-linked sideroblastic anaemia with ataxia: another mitochondrial disease?

X-linked sideroblastic anaemia with ataxia: another mitochondrial disease?
X-linked sideroblastic anaemia with ataxia: another mitochondrial disease?
Objectives: The syndrome of X-linked sideroblastic anaemia with ataxia is rare, described only twice in the literature. The aim was to obtain clinical neurological and haematological data about this rare syndrome throughout adult life.
Methods: A family is described with two affected brothers and two affected maternal uncles. The family was evaluated clinically. Haematological investigations included full blood count, blood film, iron studies, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) concentrations and a bone marrow examination where possible.
Results: Core neurological features included motor delay, ataxia evident from early childhood, and dysarthria. Neurological features were non-progressive until the fifth decade when slow progression became evident. Some family members showed mild spasticity. Patients usually have a mild asymptomatic anaemia or a borderline decreased mean corpuscular volume. Blood film examination showed Pappenheimer bodies. Bone marrow examination showed ring sideroblasts, indicating raised erythrocyte iron. Free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) concentrations were raised.
Conclusions: Haematological features are subtle and can be easily overlooked, and individual patients may not display all the abnormal features. X-linked ataxias are rare and incorrect genetic advice may be given if the diagnostic haematological features of X-linked sideroblastic anaemia are overlooked. Males with early onset ataxia should have a haematological evaluation including a blood film, with a bone marrow examination if abnormal blood count indices and measurement of FEP concentrations raise suspicion. The condition has parallels with Pearson's syndrome and Friedreich's ataxia. All three conditions are associated with mitochondrial iron handling defects and ataxia. The human ATP binding cassette gene (hABC7) is a candidate gene and requires further investigation.
sideroblastic anaemia, ataxia
0022-3050
65-69
Hellier, K.D.
b4f08763-bf01-49e7-87a3-24e9994d2c35
Hatchwell, E.
ec5986bd-380e-4406-b004-286d25ac08e2
Duncombe, A.S.
7b057ec8-c1ce-431e-9090-42c81e342309
Kew, J.
15a65083-777a-4f0d-b7ab-ad27fbf58f77
Hammans, S.R.
6553eac5-9322-4f2b-b677-d4ba698fc10b
Hellier, K.D.
b4f08763-bf01-49e7-87a3-24e9994d2c35
Hatchwell, E.
ec5986bd-380e-4406-b004-286d25ac08e2
Duncombe, A.S.
7b057ec8-c1ce-431e-9090-42c81e342309
Kew, J.
15a65083-777a-4f0d-b7ab-ad27fbf58f77
Hammans, S.R.
6553eac5-9322-4f2b-b677-d4ba698fc10b

Hellier, K.D., Hatchwell, E., Duncombe, A.S., Kew, J. and Hammans, S.R. (2001) X-linked sideroblastic anaemia with ataxia: another mitochondrial disease? Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 70 (1), 65-69. (doi:10.1136/jnnp.70.1.65).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Objectives: The syndrome of X-linked sideroblastic anaemia with ataxia is rare, described only twice in the literature. The aim was to obtain clinical neurological and haematological data about this rare syndrome throughout adult life.
Methods: A family is described with two affected brothers and two affected maternal uncles. The family was evaluated clinically. Haematological investigations included full blood count, blood film, iron studies, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) concentrations and a bone marrow examination where possible.
Results: Core neurological features included motor delay, ataxia evident from early childhood, and dysarthria. Neurological features were non-progressive until the fifth decade when slow progression became evident. Some family members showed mild spasticity. Patients usually have a mild asymptomatic anaemia or a borderline decreased mean corpuscular volume. Blood film examination showed Pappenheimer bodies. Bone marrow examination showed ring sideroblasts, indicating raised erythrocyte iron. Free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) concentrations were raised.
Conclusions: Haematological features are subtle and can be easily overlooked, and individual patients may not display all the abnormal features. X-linked ataxias are rare and incorrect genetic advice may be given if the diagnostic haematological features of X-linked sideroblastic anaemia are overlooked. Males with early onset ataxia should have a haematological evaluation including a blood film, with a bone marrow examination if abnormal blood count indices and measurement of FEP concentrations raise suspicion. The condition has parallels with Pearson's syndrome and Friedreich's ataxia. All three conditions are associated with mitochondrial iron handling defects and ataxia. The human ATP binding cassette gene (hABC7) is a candidate gene and requires further investigation.

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More information

Published date: January 2001
Keywords: sideroblastic anaemia, ataxia

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 24746
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/24746
ISSN: 0022-3050
PURE UUID: 6ba5bd43-d7ee-4d85-b735-78b5f1576e4e

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Date deposited: 03 Apr 2006
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 06:58

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Contributors

Author: K.D. Hellier
Author: E. Hatchwell
Author: A.S. Duncombe
Author: J. Kew
Author: S.R. Hammans

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