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Triple A syndrome: two siblings with a novel mutation in the AAAS gene

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Abstract

Objective

Triple A syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the AAAS gene on chromosome 12q13. Its main clinical features are alacrima, achalasia, and adrenal insufficiency, with most patients also having neurological symptoms and autonomic dysfunction. The neurologic manifestations are less well-understood, especially in children. Here, we examine two siblings who were found to have a novel mutation in the AAAS gene and who were found to have subtle, but important, neurologic findings.

Design

This is a case report of two siblings.

Results

We discuss two siblings exhibiting different signs of the disorder including neurologic dysfunction found at varying ages. Genetic analysis revealed that both patients have the same compound heterozygous mutations in the AAAS gene consisting of one novel mutation (c.500 C>A, A167E) and one previously described mutation (c.1331+1G> A/IVS14+1 G>A). A diagnosis of triple A syndrome was reached based on their clinical and genetic findings.

Conclusions

The unique characteristic of these two cases is the novel mutation in the AAAS gene, which is likely pathogenic. In addition, they showcase the genotype-phenotype variability of the disease, as well as the importance of early identification of the neurologic abnormalities, which can result in early intervention and possibly improved outcomes.

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Funding

This research was supported in part by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 10 Center Drive, Building 10, Room 1-3330, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA

    Athanasia Bouliari, Xuexin Lu, Rebecca W. Persky & Constantine A. Stratakis

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  1. Athanasia Bouliari
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  2. Xuexin Lu
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  3. Rebecca W. Persky
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  4. Constantine A. Stratakis
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All authors have accepted the responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved the submission.

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Correspondence to Rebecca W. Persky.

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Athanasia Bouliari and Xuexin Lu are co-first authors.

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Bouliari, A., Lu, X., Persky, R.W. et al. Triple A syndrome: two siblings with a novel mutation in the AAAS gene. Hormones 18, 109–112 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42000-018-0089-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42000-018-0089-2

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