Table of Contents  
CASE REPORT
Year : 2013  |  Volume : 6  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 184-187  

Infantile malignant osteopetrosis: A case report of three siblings


Department of Pediatrics, Padmashree Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune, India

Date of Web Publication10-Apr-2013

Correspondence Address:
Sahil Jain
Resident, Department of Paediatrics, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Pune - 411018
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/0975-2870.110306

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  Abstract 

Infantile malignant osteopetrosis, a rare hereditary, generalized disorder of bone characterized by a significant increase in the density of the skeletal tissues is described in three siblings. The incidence, genetic etiology, clinical, laboratory, radiological features, management and prognosis have been discussed.

Keywords: Autosomal disease, osteopetrosis, siblings


How to cite this article:
Jain S, Pande V, Karambelkar GR, Agarkhedkar SR. Infantile malignant osteopetrosis: A case report of three siblings. Med J DY Patil Univ 2013;6:184-7

How to cite this URL:
Jain S, Pande V, Karambelkar GR, Agarkhedkar SR. Infantile malignant osteopetrosis: A case report of three siblings. Med J DY Patil Univ [serial online] 2013 [cited 2024 Mar 28];6:184-7. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/mjdy/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2013/6/2/184/110306


  Introduction Top


Osteopetrosis is a rare hereditary, generalized disorder of bone characterized by a significant increase in the density of the skeletal tissues usually manifesting in two basic forms: An autosomal dominant benign form (osteopetrosis tarda) and an autosomal recessive malignant form (osteopetrosis congenita). Here we present case of infantile familial malignant osteopetrosis in a 5-year-old child with similar illness in his two siblings with different presentation.


  Case Reports Top


Case 1

A 5-year-old male child presented with complaints of fever, cough and weakness for last 5 days to OPD. On enquiring parents told that he is also having disfigurement of face on right side and distension of abdomen for last 2 years. He had been transfused blood twice within last 4 years.

His milestones were delayed. There was history of recurrent respiratory infections. He was the second product of third degree consanguineous marriage. On general examination, the patient was thin built, short statured. Examination revealed that he was pale,had frontal bossing and grade II PEM. There was generalized lymphadenopathy. Early loss of deciduous teeth and caries of teeth were noted. He had abdominal distension with huge hepatosplenomegaly [Figure 1]b. On examination of respiratory system he had findings suggestive of bronchopneumonia. Nervous system examination revealed right-sided facial nerve paresis [Figure 1]a without evidence of any other neurological deficit. Fundus examination was normal. On investigations he had anemia with hemoglobin 5.6 gm%,TLC - 4200, PCV 20%, and platelet count 32000. Peripheral smear was suggestive of microcytic hypochromic cells with reduced platelets. X-rays showed the thick bones with increased bone density [Figure 1]c-e.
Figure 1: (a) Right-sided facial nerve weakness, (b) Hepatosplenomegaly, (c) X-ray showing increased bone density, (d) X-ray showing increased bone density, (e) X-ray showing increased bone density

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Bone marrow examination revealed few osteoclasts and osteoblasts, occasional erythroid and myeloid cells with abnormal bone trabeculae with osteoid and cartilage.

Diagnosis of osteopetrosis was confirmed.

Case 2

A 2-year-old female child, sibling of the above case presented with complaints of progressive blindness and weakness. General examination revealed pallor and frontal bossing. There was no evidence of lymphadenopathy and edema. Examination of abdomen revealed hepatosplenomegaly [Figure 2]a.
Figure 2: (a) Hepatosplenomegaly in 2nd case, (b) X-ray skull showing increased bone density

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Examination of respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous system was within normal limits. Fundus examination revealed bilateral optic atrophy. On investigations she had anemia with hemoglobin 6.4 gm%, TLC - 3800, PCV 23%, and platelet count of 46000. Peripheral smear suggestive of microcytic hypochromic cells with reduced platelets. X-rays showed the thick bones with increased bone density [Figure 2]b.

Case 3

Third sibling (eldest) died at the age of 3 years and had similar complaints such as progressive weakness, abdominal distension and progressive blindness and the history of recurrent respiratory tract infections. She was not investigated.


  Discussion Top


The infantile malignant form (autosomal recessive) has an incidence of 1 in 250,000 births, with a particularly high incidence reported in Costa Rica 3.4:100,000. [1],[2] Mutations in CLCN7 and TCIRG1 are responsile for this form. Mutations in the PLEKHM1 gene cause milder forms of autosomal recessive osteopetrosis. [3] Moreover 75% of the patients with infantile osteopetrosis die before the age of six, many of recurrent infections, especially pneumonia, or osteomyelitis complicated by septicemia.

It is characterized by widespread osteopetrosis, a characteristic heavy head with frontal bossing, hypertelorism, hepatosplenomegaly, psychomotor delay, failure to thrive, dental problems, osteomyelitis of mandible, [4] deafness and blindness. Other manifestations are anemia, [5] infections, sensory disorders and fractures.

Deafness and blindness are generally thought to represent effects of pressure on nerves. [6],[7] The anemia is caused by encroachment of bone on marrow, resulting in obliteration, and the hepatosplenomegaly is caused by compensatory extramedullary hematopoiesis. The condition results from defective resorption of immature bone.

Osteopetrosis tarda (autosomal dominant) usually presents during childhood or adolescence with fractures, mild anemia and less frequently cranial nerve dysfunction, dental abnormalities or osteomyelitis of mandible.

Carbon Anhydrase Type II (CAII) Deficiency [8] is caused by defect in gene responsible for producing CAII on chromosome 8 (at 8q22). Symptoms include increased bone density, a tendency to fracture easily and changes in body chemistry. Other symptoms may include intracranial calcifications, sensorineural hearing loss and developmental delays. The blood is slightly acidic and has a high chloride concentration (hyperchloremic acidosis). The blood acidity is caused by excessive leakage of bicarbonate from the kidney tubules.


  Diagnosis Top


Laboratory Findings

  • Serum calcium - It generally reflects oral intake; hypocalcemia can occur and cause rickets if it is severe.
  • Parathyroid hormone (PTH) - It is often elevated (secondary hyperparathyroidism).
  • Acid phosphatase - It is raised due to increased release from defective osteoclasts.
  • Creatinine kinase isoform BB (CK-BB) - Its levels are raised due to increased release from defective osteoclasts.


Radiography

Radiological features of osteopetrosis are usually diagnostic. Patients usually have generalized osteosclerosis. [9] Bones may be uniformly sclerotic, but alternating sclerotic and lucent bands may be noted in iliac wings and near the ends of long bones (Rugger-Jersey Sign). [1] The bones may be clublike or may have the appearance of a bone within bone (endobone). Radiographs may also show evidence of fractures or osteomyelitis.

Bone Marrow Biopsy

Bone biopsy is not essential for diagnosis, because radiographs usually are diagnostic. Histomorphometric studies of bone may be useful to predict the likelihood that BMT will succeed. Patients with crowded bone marrow are less likely than others to respond to a transplant.


  Treatment Top


Calcitriol [10] -It appears to help by stimulating dormant osteoclasts, thus stimulating bone resorption. Large doses of calcitriol, along with restricted calcium intake, sometimes improve osteopetrosis dramatically. However, calcitriol usually produces only modest clinical improvement, which is not sustained after therapy is discontinued.

Recombinant human interferon β-treatment with β-interferon has produced long-term benefits. It improves white blood cell function, greatly decreasing the incidence of new infections. With treatment, trabecular bone volume substantially decreases and bone marrow volume increases. This results in increases in hemoglobin, platelet counts, and survival rates. [11]

Bone marrow transplantation-Bone marrow transplantation markedly improves some cases of infantile osteopetrosis. [12],[13] It can cure bone marrow failure and metabolic abnormalities in patients whose disease arises from an intrinsic defect of the osteoclast lineage.

It is the only curative treatment for this disease. However, it may be limited to a subset of patients whose defects are extrinsic to the osteoclast lineage and whose condition is unlikely to respond.

Surgical Treatment

In pediatric osteopetrosis, surgical treatment is sometimes necessary because of fractures. The constellation of problems associated with this condition and the prevailing opinions regarding their management have been reviewed. [14]

 
  References Top

1.Loria-Cortes R, Quesada-Calvo E, Cordero-Chaverri C, Osteopetrosis in children: A report of 26 cases. J Pediatr 1977;91:43-7.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.Phadke SR, Gupta A, Pahi J, Pandey A, Gautam P, Agarwal SS. Malignant recessive osteopetrosis. Indian Pediatr 1999;36:69-74.  Back to cited text no. 2
    
3.Del Fattore A, Fornari R, Van Wesenbeeck L, de Freitas F, Timmermans JP, Peruzzi B, et al. A new heterozygous mutation (R714C) of the osteopetrosis gene, pleckstrin homolog domain containing family M (with run domain) member 1 (PLEKHM1), impairs vesicular acidification and increases TRACP secretion in osteoclasts. J Bone Miner Res 2008;23:380-91.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.Sekerci AE, Sisman Y, Ertas ET, Sahman H, Aydinbelge M. Infantile malignant osteopetrosis: Report of 2 cases with osteomyelitis of the jaws. J Dent Child (Chic) 2012;79:93-9.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.Sreehari S, Naik DR, Eapen M. Osteopetrosis: A rare cause of anemia. Hematol Rep 2011;3:e1.  Back to cited text no. 5
    
6.Keith CG. Retinal atrophy in osteopetrosis. Arch Ophthal 1968;79:234-41.  Back to cited text no. 6
    
7.Chate SV, Jaybhaye AP, Somshekharan R, Rathod TN. Aqueductal stenosis with optic atrophy in case of malignant osteopetrosis. J Nat Sci Biol Med 2011;2:222-4.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8.Borthwick KJ, Kandemir N, Topaloglu R, Kornak U, Bakkaloglu A, Yordam N, et al. A phenocopy of CAII deficiency: A novel genetic explanation for inherited infantile osteopetrosis with distal renal tubular acidosis. J Med Genet 2003;40:115-21.  Back to cited text no. 8
    
9.Fotiadou A, Arvaniti M, Kiriakou V, Tsitouridis I. Type II autosomal dominant osteopetrosis: Radiological features in two families containing five members with asymptomatic and uncomplicated disease. Skeletal Radiol 2009;38:1015-21.  Back to cited text no. 9
    
10.Key L, Carnes D, Cole S, Holtrop M, Bar-Shavit Z, Shapiro F,et al. Treatment of congenital osteopetrosis with high-dose calcitriol. N Engl J Med 1984;310:409-15.  Back to cited text no. 10
    
11.Key LL Jr, Rodriguiz RM, Willi SM, Wright NM, Hatcher HC, Eyre DR, et al. Long-term treatment of osteopetrosis with recombinant human interferon gamma. N Engl J Med 1995;332:1594-9.  Back to cited text no. 11
    
12.Mazzolari E, Forino C, Razza A, Porta F, Villa A, Notarangelo LD. A single-center experience in 20 patients with infantile malignant osteopetrosis. Am J Hematol 2009;84:473-9.  Back to cited text no. 12
    
13.Askmyr MK, Fasth A, Richter J. Towards a better understanding and new therapeutics of osteopetrosis. Br J Haematol 2008;140:597-609.  Back to cited text no. 13
    
14.Armstrong DG, Newfield JT, Gillespie R. Orthopedic management of osteopetrosis: Results of a survey and review of the literature. J Pediatr Orthop 1999;19:122-32.  Back to cited text no. 14
    


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  [Figure 1], [Figure 2]



 

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