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Open AccessCase Report
Pediatric Gaucher Disease Type 3 Presenting with Oculomotor Apraxia: A Case Report
1
Pediatrics and Neonatology Unit, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, 29121 Piacenza, Italy
2
Diagnostic Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Radiological Functions, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, 29121 Piacenza, Italy
3
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Children 2024, 11(8), 960; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11080960 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 3 July 2024
/
Revised: 29 July 2024
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Accepted: 8 August 2024
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Published: 9 August 2024
Abstract
We report on a 4-year-old boy affected by Gaucher disease (GD) type 3, who presented with splenomegaly and a history of oculomotor apraxia. GD is a rare lysosomal storage disorder caused by glucocerebrosidase deficiency with multi-organ involvement. Besides common clinical features such as hepatosplenomegaly and skeletal involvement, less frequent neurological symptoms, such as oculomotor apraxia, are indicative of neuronopathic forms of the disease, namely GD type 3, to be confirmed both by enzyme activity and genetic testing. Overall, GD management requires a multidisciplinary approach involving metabolic pediatricians, neurologists, psychologists, and geneticists, and currently relies on early enzyme replacement therapy. Although enzyme replacement therapy has proved to be effective in improving systemic signs and symptoms, it is unable to alleviate neurological complications once these have occurred, as it does not pass across the blood–brain barrier. Neurological improvements may occur through indirect mechanisms. Thus, our case report aims to highlight the importance of considering GD in the differential diagnosis of pediatric patients presenting with splenomegaly associated with neurological manifestations, as early intervention may significantly modify the disease progression and prevent further irreversible complications.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Di Costanzo, M.; de Paulis, N.; Cannalire, G.; Morelli, N.; Biasucci, G.
Pediatric Gaucher Disease Type 3 Presenting with Oculomotor Apraxia: A Case Report. Children 2024, 11, 960.
https://doi.org/10.3390/children11080960
AMA Style
Di Costanzo M, de Paulis N, Cannalire G, Morelli N, Biasucci G.
Pediatric Gaucher Disease Type 3 Presenting with Oculomotor Apraxia: A Case Report. Children. 2024; 11(8):960.
https://doi.org/10.3390/children11080960
Chicago/Turabian Style
Di Costanzo, Margherita, Nicoletta de Paulis, Giuseppe Cannalire, Nicola Morelli, and Giacomo Biasucci.
2024. "Pediatric Gaucher Disease Type 3 Presenting with Oculomotor Apraxia: A Case Report" Children 11, no. 8: 960.
https://doi.org/10.3390/children11080960
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