Chinese Journal of Contemporary Neurology and Neurosurgery ›› 2025, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (10): 957-965. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2025.10.012

• Neurological Rare Diseases • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Hyperhomocysteinemia complicated with developmental epileptic encephalopathy caused by compound heterozygous mutations of MTHFR gene: one case report and literature review

Ya-kun DU, Li-hui WANG, Yan LI, Fang CHEN, Lei DONG, Su-zhen SUN*()   

  1. Department of Neurology, Hebei Children's Hospital; Hebei Pediatric Health and Disease Clinical Medical Research Center; Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Pediatric Epilepsy and Neurological Disorders, Shijiazhuang 050031, Hebei, China
  • Received:2025-09-08 Online:2025-10-25 Published:2025-11-11
  • Contact: Su-zhen SUN
  • Supported by:
    Medical Science Research Project of Hebei(20231126)

MTHFR基因复合杂合突变致高同型半胱氨酸血症并发育性癫痫性脑病一例并文献复习

杜雅坤, 王丽辉, 李焱, 陈芳, 东蕾, 孙素真*()   

  1. 050031 石家庄,河北省儿童医院神经内科 河北省儿童健康与疾病临床医学研究中心 河北省小儿癫痫与神经疾病重点实验室
  • 通讯作者: 孙素真
  • 基金资助:
    河北省医学科学研究课题计划项目(20231126)

Abstract:

Objective: To investigate the clinical correlation between hyperhomocysteinemia caused by MTHFR gene mutation and developmental epileptic encephalopathy (DEE), as well as the corresponding intervention strategies. Methods and Results: A female child, aged 2 years and 5 months, presented with infantile spasm (IS) as the initial symptom. Video electroencephalography (VEEG) showed highly irregular, which progressively evolved into generalized multifocal discharges consistent with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), accompanied by tonic clonic seizure. MRI showed delayed myelination and leukomalacia. Genetic testing showed the compound heterozygous mutations in the MTHFR gene: c. 154C > T (p. Arg52X) and c. 889T > C (p. Tyr297His). These were inherited from her mother [c. 154C > T (p. Arg52X)] and father [c.889T > C (p.Tyr297His)]. This genetic testing resulted in severely elevated serum homocysteine level of 161 μmol/L. Following treatment with a combination of antiepileptic seizure medication (ASM), betaine and B vitamins, the homocysteine level decreased to 70 μmol/L and seizure frequency was reduced. However, significant neurodevelopmental delay persisted. Conclusions: The novel compound heterozygous mutations of MTHFR gene [c. 154C > T (p. Arg52X) and c. 889T > C (p. Tyr297His)] expand the spectrum of known MTHFR gene mutation. These mutations disrupt folate metabolism, leading to severe hyperhomocysteinemia and DEE. This case underscores the critical importance of early metabolic intervention for improving clinical outcomes.

Key words: Hyperhomocysteinemia, Epilepsy, Spasms, infantile, 5, 10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (FADH2), Genes, Mutation, Heterozygote

摘要:

目的: 探讨MTHFR基因变异致高同型半胱氨酸血症与发育性癫痫性脑病的临床关联及干预策略。方法与结果: 女性患儿,2岁5个月,以婴儿痉挛症发病,视频脑电图呈现高度失律,逐渐进展为广泛性多灶性放电伴强直阵挛发作的Lennox-Gastaut综合征;头部MRI检查提示髓鞘化延迟和脑白质软化;基因检测显示MTHFR基因c.154C > T(p.Arg52X)和c.889T > C(p.Tyr297His)复合杂合突变,分别源自其母亲[c.154C > T(p.Arg52X)]和父亲[c.889T > C(p.Tyr297His)],导致血清同型半胱氨酸水平达161 μmol/L。经联合抗癫痫发作药物、甜菜碱和B族维生素治疗后,同型半胱氨酸水平降至70 μmol/L,发作减少,但神经发育落后仍持续存在。结论: 新型MTHFR基因复合杂合突变[c.154C > T(p.Arg52X)和c.889T > C(p.Tyr297His)]拓展了MTHFR基因突变谱,通过叶酸代谢障碍诱发重度高同型半胱氨酸血症和发育性癫痫性脑病,提示早期代谢干预对改善预后的重要性。

关键词: 高同种半胱氨酸血症, 癫痫, 痉挛,婴儿, 5,10-亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(FADH2), 基因, 突变, 杂合子