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Primary Carnitine Deficiency – A Rare Treatable Cause of Cardiomyopathy and Massive Hepatomegaly

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Abstract

Systemic primary carnitine deficiency (CDSP) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by a defect in plasma membrane uptake of carnitine due to SLC22A5 gene mutations. A nine-mo-old boy presented with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, massive hepatomegaly and jaundice. Metabolic testing revealed very low free carnitine levels. Genetic analysis using Sanger sequencing method revealed compound heterozygous mutations in SLC22A5 gene, c. 1354 G > A (p. Glu452Lys, previously reported) and c.231_234del (novel frame-shift). Oral carnitine supplementation resulted in improved clinical outcome with ejection fraction to 75 % and normalization of liver size and enzymes after 3 mo.

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Contributions

SD: Worked up the case, reviewed the literature, followed up the case and drafted the case report; SB-M: Worked up the case and followed up, facilitated molecular diagnosis, and helped in drafting the manuscript; VM: Worked up the case, reviewed the literature and followed up the case; YS: Performed Tandem Mass Spectrometry for diagnosis; KH and RS: Performed molecular analysis; ICV: Reviewed the manuscript for critical content. SB-M will act as guarantor for the paper.

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Correspondence to Shivani Deswal.

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Deswal, S., Bijarnia-Mahay, S., Manocha, V. et al. Primary Carnitine Deficiency – A Rare Treatable Cause of Cardiomyopathy and Massive Hepatomegaly. Indian J Pediatr 84, 83–85 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-016-2227-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-016-2227-7

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