Thiamine-responsive megaloblastic anemia: early diagnosis may be effective in preventing deafness

Turk J Pediatr. 2009 May-Jun;51(3):301-4.

Abstract

Thiamine-responsive megaloblastic anemia syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by diabetes mellitus, megaloblastic anemia and sensorineural hearing loss. Mutations in the SLC19A2 gene, encoding a high-affinity thiamine transporter protein, THTR-1, are responsible for the clinical features associated with thiamine-responsive megaloblastic anemia syndrome in which treatment with pharmacological doses of thiamine correct the megaloblastic anemia and diabetes mellitus. The anemia can recur when thiamine is withdrawn. Thiamine may be effective in preventing deafness if started before two months. Our patient was found homozygous for a mutation, 242insA, in the nucleic acid sequence of exon B, with insertion of an adenine introducing a stop codon at codon 52 in the high-affinity thiamine transporter gene, SLC19A2, on chromosome 1q23.3.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Megaloblastic / diagnosis*
  • Anemia, Megaloblastic / drug therapy*
  • Anemia, Megaloblastic / genetics
  • Deafness / genetics
  • Deafness / prevention & control*
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Female
  • Genetic Testing
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Mutation
  • Syndrome
  • Thiamine / administration & dosage*
  • Vitamin B Complex / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • SLC19A2 protein, human
  • Vitamin B Complex
  • Thiamine