The importance of early diagnosis of X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets: a case report

X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) is the commonest inherited form of rickets. XLH is caused by an impaired regulation of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) due to a PHEX gene mutation, leading to chronic renal phosphate excretion and impairment of vitamin D activation. Children with XLH show...

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Main Authors: Francesca Franchina, Fabio Toscano, Giovanni Luppino, Giorgia Pepe, Tommaso Aversa, Domenico Corica
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Accademia Peloritana dei Pericolanti 2024-07-01
Series:Atti della Accademia Peloritana dei Pericolanti - Classe di Scienze Medico-Biologiche
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Online Access:https://cab.unime.it/journals/index.php/APMB/article/view/4280
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author Francesca Franchina
Fabio Toscano
Giovanni Luppino
Giorgia Pepe
Tommaso Aversa
Domenico Corica
author_facet Francesca Franchina
Fabio Toscano
Giovanni Luppino
Giorgia Pepe
Tommaso Aversa
Domenico Corica
author_sort Francesca Franchina
collection DOAJ
description X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) is the commonest inherited form of rickets. XLH is caused by an impaired regulation of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) due to a PHEX gene mutation, leading to chronic renal phosphate excretion and impairment of vitamin D activation. Children with XLH show clinical signs of rickets, short stature, stunted growth, deformities of the lower limbs, bone and muscular pain, weakness and reduced quality of life. XLH is a multisystem disease that requires a multidisciplinary approach, as patients may experience hearing loss, progressive bone deformities, recurrent dental and periodontal lesions. Burosumab, a fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody to FGF23, represents the emerging gold standard treatment for XLH, whose effect appears to be significantly better clinically, biochemically and radiographically than conventional therapy. Early initiation of specific therapy improves the bone outcome of these individuals. This report describes an emblematic case of an 11-year-old girl with lower limb varus and short stature in whom the diagnosis of XLH was made late. This case highlights the importance of including the evaluation and correct interpretation of calcium-phosphorus metabolism in the diagnostic work-up of short stature, with the aim of diagnosing cases of XLH at an early stage, initiating the most appropriate therapy, and avoiding surgical treatment if possible.
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spelling doaj-art-ffd94d5b9e334be48527df6c57b0e3dd2025-08-20T03:13:27ZengAccademia Peloritana dei PericolantiAtti della Accademia Peloritana dei Pericolanti - Classe di Scienze Medico-Biologiche1828-65502024-07-0111211710.13129/1828-6550/APMB.112.1.2024.CCS43387The importance of early diagnosis of X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets: a case reportFrancesca Franchina0Fabio Toscano1Giovanni Luppino2Giorgia Pepe3Tommaso Aversa4Domenico Corica5Department of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood, Unit of Pediatrics, University of MessinaDepartment of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood, Unit of Pediatrics, University of MessinaDepartment of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood, Unit of Pediatrics, University of MessinaDepartment of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood, Unit of Pediatrics, University of MessinaDepartment of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood, Unit of Pediatrics, University of MessinaDepartment of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood, Unit of Pediatrics, University of MessinaX-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) is the commonest inherited form of rickets. XLH is caused by an impaired regulation of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) due to a PHEX gene mutation, leading to chronic renal phosphate excretion and impairment of vitamin D activation. Children with XLH show clinical signs of rickets, short stature, stunted growth, deformities of the lower limbs, bone and muscular pain, weakness and reduced quality of life. XLH is a multisystem disease that requires a multidisciplinary approach, as patients may experience hearing loss, progressive bone deformities, recurrent dental and periodontal lesions. Burosumab, a fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody to FGF23, represents the emerging gold standard treatment for XLH, whose effect appears to be significantly better clinically, biochemically and radiographically than conventional therapy. Early initiation of specific therapy improves the bone outcome of these individuals. This report describes an emblematic case of an 11-year-old girl with lower limb varus and short stature in whom the diagnosis of XLH was made late. This case highlights the importance of including the evaluation and correct interpretation of calcium-phosphorus metabolism in the diagnostic work-up of short stature, with the aim of diagnosing cases of XLH at an early stage, initiating the most appropriate therapy, and avoiding surgical treatment if possible.https://cab.unime.it/journals/index.php/APMB/article/view/4280x-linked hypophosphatemic ricketsburosumabshort stature
spellingShingle Francesca Franchina
Fabio Toscano
Giovanni Luppino
Giorgia Pepe
Tommaso Aversa
Domenico Corica
The importance of early diagnosis of X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets: a case report
Atti della Accademia Peloritana dei Pericolanti - Classe di Scienze Medico-Biologiche
x-linked hypophosphatemic rickets
burosumab
short stature
title The importance of early diagnosis of X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets: a case report
title_full The importance of early diagnosis of X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets: a case report
title_fullStr The importance of early diagnosis of X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets: a case report
title_full_unstemmed The importance of early diagnosis of X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets: a case report
title_short The importance of early diagnosis of X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets: a case report
title_sort importance of early diagnosis of x linked hypophosphatemic rickets a case report
topic x-linked hypophosphatemic rickets
burosumab
short stature
url https://cab.unime.it/journals/index.php/APMB/article/view/4280
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