Concomitant Existence of Total Bowel Aganglionosis and Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome in a Neonate with Phox2b Gene Mutation
Resource
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC SURGERY v.42 n.3 pp.ARTN E9
Journal
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC SURGERY
Journal Volume
v.42
Journal Issue
n.3
Pages
ART-N
Date Issued
2007
Date
2007
Author(s)
YANG, SAN-NAN
HSU, YUNG-MING
HAUNG, HSIN-CHUN
LEE, SHIN-YI
HSIEH, WU-SHIUN
SU, YI-NING
LIU, CHIEH-AN
Abstract
Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is characterized by the absence of intramural ganglion cells in the distal gut, resulting in bowel obstruction shortly after birth. Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) results in hypoventilation, most pronounced during sleep, with relative insensitivity to hypercarbia and reduced insensitivity to hypoxia. Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome with HSCR is a rare condition with variable severity. Both CCHS and HSCR are uncommon and their co- occurrence may suggest a common etiology, probably involving a fault of neural crest development. Recent reports have identified the paired-like homeobox 2B (PHOX2B) gene as the major gene for CCHS and HSCR. We report here an identified PHOX2B gene in a newborn baby who had concurrence of CCHS and total colonic aganglionosis with proximal small bowel involvement. Management of this rare disorder is challenging not only because it presents in newborn stage but also because it has extensive HSCR. Considering the issue of medical futility, the therapeutic and ethical dilernma of this infant was discussed. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Subjects
congenital central hypoventilation syndrome
Hirschsprung's disease
total colonic aganglionosis with small bowel involvement
PHOX2B gene mutation
Type
journal article