Feeding-Triggered Seizures in a Newborn with AP1S1-Related MEDNIK Syndrome: Expanding the Phenotype of a Hyper-Rare Disease

MEDNIK syndrome (Mental Retardation, Enteropathy, Deafness, Neuropathy, Ichthyosis and Keratodermia) is a severe hyper-rare condition resulting from the biallelic variants in the <i>AP1S1</i> gene, implicated in intracellular trafficking and copper homeostasis. Only 18 affected individuals (seven <i>AP1S1</i> pathogenic variants overall) have been reported to date, with a high early lethality due to life-threatening congenital enteropathy. Seven patients have been empirically treated with zinc. Due to the paucity of literature data, little is known about the clinical course of individuals affected by MEDNIK syndrome, and the possible early association with epilepsy needs to be investigated. We present the first case of Italian origin affected by MEDNIK syndrome carrying a new homozygous <i>AP1S1</i> stop variant, presenting with congenital severe enteropathy and feeding-related seizures, thus representing an early, singular manifestation of the disease. We describe her clinical course and the zinc acetate therapeutic experience. We also reviewed the literature focusing on clinical manifestations (especially neurological), brain neuroimaging and the symptom evolution of patients with <i>AP1S1</i>-related MEDNIK syndrome and discuss possible future therapeutic attempts.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2025-12-23
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15010106
Primary Topic
Trace Elements in Health
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Feeding-Triggered Seizures in a Newborn with AP1S1-Related MEDNIK Syndrome: Expanding the Phenotype of a Hyper-Rare Disease

Giovanni Malmusi, Roberta Zuntini, Carlo Alberto Cesaroni, Susanna Rizzi et al.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Trace Elements in Health
article

Feeding-Triggered Seizures in a Newborn with AP1S1-Related MEDNIK Syndrome: Expanding the Phenotype of a Hyper-Rare Disease

Giovanni Malmusi, Roberta Zuntini, Carlo Alberto Cesaroni, Susanna Rizzi, Adelaide Peruzzi, Antonio Novelli, Francesca Peluso, A Cavalli, Nives Melli, Agnese Pantani, Carlo Fusco, Giancarlo Gargano, Carolina Bondi, Livia Garavelli, Gabriele Trimarchi, Daniele Frattini
article en

Abstract

MEDNIK syndrome (Mental Retardation, Enteropathy, Deafness, Neuropathy, Ichthyosis and Keratodermia) is a severe hyper-rare condition resulting from the biallelic variants in the <i>AP1S1</i> gene, implicated in intracellular trafficking and copper homeostasis. Only 18 affected individuals (seven <i>AP1S1</i> pathogenic variants overall) have been reported to date, with a high early lethality due to life-threatening congenital enteropathy. Seven patients have been empirically treated with zinc. Due to the paucity of literature data, little is known about the clinical course of individuals affected by MEDNIK syndrome, and the possible early association with epilepsy needs to be investigated. We present the first case of Italian origin affected by MEDNIK syndrome carrying a new homozygous <i>AP1S1</i> stop variant, presenting with congenital severe enteropathy and feeding-related seizures, thus representing an early, singular manifestation of the disease. We describe her clinical course and the zinc acetate therapeutic experience. We also reviewed the literature focusing on clinical manifestations (especially neurological), brain neuroimaging and the symptom evolution of patients with <i>AP1S1</i>-related MEDNIK syndrome and discuss possible future therapeutic attempts.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 15(1)
Santa Maria Nuova Hospital (IT), Ospedale Santa Maria (IT), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital (IT)
European Commission
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 36%
Trace Elements in Health
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