Low lymphozyte pool, colon perforation and hydrocephalus as clinical features in an infant with a postzygotic PIK3CA variant

Pathogenic variants in the <i>PIK3CA</i> gene, which encodes the p110-α catalytic subunit of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), are commonly associated with overgrowth syndromes and cancer. We report a patient with the point variant c.1030G>A p.(Val344Met) in the <i>PIK3CA</i> gene who presented shortly after birth with viral sepsis and and severe lymphopenia, followed by colonic perforations. Histopathology showed ulcerative necrotizing colitis with lymphatic vascular malformation. The patient subsequently developed hydrocephalus requiring a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, complicated by refractory ascites that resolved with acetazolamide therapy. Awareness of the potential disease spectrum through early molecular diagnosis, combined with a comprehensive immunologic evaluation, enabled individualized management via closer clinical monitoring and timely interventions to prevent and control neurological and infectious complications. This case highlights the phenotypic heterogeneity of <i>PIK3CA</i> pathogenic variants and the importance of early precision medicine in pediatric care.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Frontiers in Pediatrics
Published
2025-11-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2025.1650077
Primary Topic
Immunodeficiency and Autoimmune Disorders
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Low lymphozyte pool, colon perforation and hydrocephalus as clinical features in an infant with a postzygotic PIK3CA variant

Ximena León-Lara, Christiane Wübbena, Manuela Richter, Bernd Auber et al.
Frontiers in Pediatrics
Immunodeficiency and Autoimmune Disorders
article

Low lymphozyte pool, colon perforation and hydrocephalus as clinical features in an infant with a postzygotic PIK3CA variant

Ximena León-Lara, Christiane Wübbena, Manuela Richter, Bernd Auber, Sarina Ravens, Sandra von Hardenberg, Florian Guthmann, Anke K. Bergmann, Jürgen Weidemann, Jan Brechler, Laura Ospina
article en

Abstract

Pathogenic variants in the <i>PIK3CA</i> gene, which encodes the p110-α catalytic subunit of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), are commonly associated with overgrowth syndromes and cancer. We report a patient with the point variant c.1030G>A p.(Val344Met) in the <i>PIK3CA</i> gene who presented shortly after birth with viral sepsis and and severe lymphopenia, followed by colonic perforations. Histopathology showed ulcerative necrotizing colitis with lymphatic vascular malformation. The patient subsequently developed hydrocephalus requiring a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, complicated by refractory ascites that resolved with acetazolamide therapy. Awareness of the potential disease spectrum through early molecular diagnosis, combined with a comprehensive immunologic evaluation, enabled individualized management via closer clinical monitoring and timely interventions to prevent and control neurological and infectious complications. This case highlights the phenotypic heterogeneity of <i>PIK3CA</i> pathogenic variants and the importance of early precision medicine in pediatric care.

Frontiers in PediatricsVol. 13
Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (DE), Kinderkrankenhaus auf der Bult (DE), Universitätsklinikum Würzburg (DE)
Openalex Percentile: Top 62%
Immunodeficiency and Autoimmune Disorders
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.