A case of early diagnosis of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency: The use of next-generation sequencing

Introduction: Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency (PDHD) is a rare genetic mitochondrial disorder that is characterized by the broad clinical manifestations from lactic acidosis in neonate to chronic neurodegenerative conditions. Incidence and prevalence of PDHD are unknown because of early lethality and difficulty of diagnosis. Case Presentation: We report a case of preterm male infant born at 31 + 3/7 weeks gestation with a birth weight of 1,310 g by cesarean section. He presented with scoliosis, polydactyly and severe metabolic acidosis at birth. Corpus callosum agenesis and increased parenchymal echogenicity were detected by cranial ultrasound. Pyruvate and lactate in blood and CSF were elevated, and lactate-pyruvate ratio was normal. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technique identified a novel PDHA1 mutation, c.1157-1162del (p.Phe386Lys387del) on X chromosome in him and his mother. Conclusions: PDHD is a rare and fatal disease in case of neonatal onset. This case demonstrates early diagnosis of PDHD in preterm infant using NGS technique.