Enteroendocrine Dysfunction in Two Saudi Sisters

Abstract

Proprotein convertase (PC) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1). It is characterized by severe malabsorptive early-onset diarrhea, obesity, and systemic endocrinopathies. Only few cases have been reported in the literature; we have add two female sisters with some difference in clinical progress. Herein, we describe two sisters with congenital osmotic diarrhea diagnosed with PC1/3 deficiency, causing malabsorptive diarrhea and enteroendocrine dysfunction, who presented with chronic enteropathy with hypernatremia but with different expressivity. PC1/3 deficiency presents with symptoms and signs that mimic glucose-galactose malabsorption. Because of the clinical paucity and heterogeneity of congenital enteropathies, whole-exome sequencing may be of great help towards early diagnosis and effective treatment.

Keywords

• proprotein convertase 1/3
• intractable diarrhea
• malabsorption
• congenital enteropathy