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Last updated:
July 26, 2018
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NORD gratefully acknowledges Dr. Ali Baykan, Erciyes University Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Kayseri, Turkey, for assistance in the preparation of this report.
Leprechaunism is an extremely rare disorder characterized by abnormal resistance to insulin that results in a variety of distinguishing characteristics, including growth delays and abnormalities affecting the endocrine system (i.e., the system of glands that secrete hormones into the blood system). Affected infants may also have distinctive characteristics of the head and face (craniofacial region), low birth weight, skin abnormalities, and enlargement of the breast and clitoris in females and the penis in males. Leprechaunism is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern.
Leprechaunism is characterized by growth delays, as well as abnormalities of the head and face (craniofacial region) and of the endocrine system. Many of the symptoms associated with leprechaunism are present at birth (congenital). The range and severity of symptoms and physical characteristics may vary from person to person.
Most infants with leprechaunism exhibit delayed growth before and after birth (pre- and postnatal growth deficiency), delayed bone age or maturation. Affected infants tend to have a low birth weight, may fail to gain weight or grow at the expected rate (failure to thrive), and may become abnormally thin (emaciated). They often lack muscle mass.
Infants with leprechaunism have distinctive facial features, including abnormally large, low-set and poorly developed ears; an unusually flat bridge of the nose; large, thick lips; an abnormally large mouth (macrostomia); and widely spaced eyes (hyptertelorism). Affected infants may also have an abnormally small head (microcephaly).
Leprechaunism is associated with abnormal darkening and thickening of patches of skin in certain areas of the body (acanthosis nigricans), unusual thickening of the skin (pachyderma), excessive hair growth (hirsutism), and malformation (dysplasia) of the nails. In addition, infants with leprechaunism exhibit absence of most of the body fat under the skin (subcutaneous adipose tissue).
Leprechaunism is also characterized by abnormalities of the endocrine system (i.e., the system of glands that secrete hormones into the blood system). Such abnormalities include excessive secretion of the hormone insulin (hyperinsulinemia). Insulin regulates blood sugar (glucose) levels by promoting the movement of glucose into bodily cells. Infants with leprechaunism fail to use insulin effectively (insulin resistant). Because of this, they may experience abnormally high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) after eating a meal (postprandial) and abnormally low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) when not eating.
Additional abnormalities resulting from improper function of the endocrine system include abnormal enlargement of the breast and clitoris in females and the penis in males. In some cases, cysts have formed in the ovaries. Hypertrophic cadiomyopathy may be seen in these patients as in diabetic mother babies.
Infants with leprechaunism may have additional abnormalities, including intellectual disability, abnormally large hands and feet, an unusually widened (dilated) or enlarged (distended) stomach, abnormal amounts of iron in the liver, and/or stoppage of the flow of bile (cholestasis) from the liver. In addition, affected infants may experience protrusion of portions of the large intestine through an abnormal opening in musculature lining the abdominal cavity in the area of the groin (inguinal hernia) or protrusion of part of the intestine through the abdominal wall near the navel (umbilical hernia). Affected infants are also more susceptible to repeated infections.
Leprechaunism may be caused by disruption or changes (mutations) of the insulin receptor gene. Due to the mutation in the insulin receptor gene, individuals with leprechaunism are unable to use insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that plays an important role in the absorption of sugar (glucose) into muscle cells. Glucose is the body’s main source of energy. Some symptoms associated with leprechaunism, including growth deficiencies and hyperglycemia, develop as a result of severe insulin resistance of affected individuals.
Leprechaunism is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. Recessive genetic disorders occur when an individual inherits an abnormal gene from each parent. If an individual receives one normal gene and one abnormal gene for the disease, the person will be a carrier for the disease, but usually will not show symptoms. The risk for two carrier parents to both pass the abnormal gene and, therefore, have an affected child is 25% with each pregnancy. The risk to have a child who is a carrier, like the parents, is 50% with each pregnancy. The chance for a child to receive normal genes from both parents is 25%. The risk is the same for males and females.
In reported cases, leprechaunism has occurred twice as often in females as in males More than 50 cases have been reported in the medical literature. Leprechaunism was first identified in the 1948 by Dr. W.L. Donohue.
The diagnosis of leprechaunism may be confirmed by a thorough clinical evaluation, a detailed patient history, identification of characteristic symptoms and physical findings. The diagnosis requires measurement of insulin levels, with a blood test, and confirmation of defective insulin binding on the cells known as fibroblasts.
Prenatal diagnosis is possible through analysis of DNA obtain through a procedure known as amniocentesis. During amniocentesis, a sample of fluid that surrounds the developing fetus (amniotic fluid) is removed and studied. DNA obtained from amniotic cells is analyzed through a test known as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR, a laboratory technique that many have described as a form of “photocopying,” enables researchers to enlarge and repeatedly copy sequences of DNA. As a result, they are able to closely analyze DNA and more easily identify genes and genetic changes (mutations). In leprechaunism, polymerase chain reaction is used to identify mutations to the insulin receptor gene.
Treatment
The treatment of leprechaunism is directed toward the specific symptoms that are apparent in each individual. Treatment may require the coordinated efforts of a team of specialists. Pediatricians, specialists who assess and treat endocrine abnormalities (endocrinologists), and specialists who assess and treat skin abnormalities (dermatologists) and other health care professionals may need to systematically and comprehensively plan an affected child’s treatment.
Genetic counseling is recommended for affected individuals and their families. Other treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
Information on current clinical trials is posted on the Internet at www.clinicaltrials.gov. All studies receiving U.S. Government funding, and some supported by private industry, are posted on this government web site.
For information about clinical trials being conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, contact the NIH Patient Recruitment Office:
Tollfree: (800) 411-1222
TTY: (866) 411-1010
Email: prpl@cc.nih.gov
Some current clinical trials also are posted on the following page on the NORD website:
https://rarediseases.org/living-with-a-rare-disease/find-clinical-trials/
For information about clinical trials sponsored by private sources, contact:
www.centerwatch.com
For information about clinical trials conducted in Europe, contact:
https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/
TEXTBOOKS
Jones KL, ed. Smith’s Recognizable Patterns of Human Malformation. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: W. B. Saunders Co; 1997:599.
Magalini SI, et al, eds. Dictionary of Medical Syndromes. 4th ed.New York, NY: Lippincott-Raven Publishers; 1997:233.
Gorlin RJ, et al, eds. Syndromes of the Head and Neck, 3rd ed. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 1990:822.
Buyse ML, ed. Birth Defects Encyclopedia. Dover, MA: Blackwell Scientific Publications; For: The Center for Birth Defects Information Services Inc; 1990:1044-45.
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Baykan A, et al. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with leprechaunism. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2008;21(4):317-8.
Nakae J, et al. Long-term effect of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I on metabolic growth control in a patient with leprechaunism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1998;83:542-9.
Kosztolanyi G. Leprechaunism/Donohue syndrome/insulin gene mutations: a syndrome delineation story from clinicopathological description to molecular understanding. Eur J Pediatr. 1997;156:253-5.
Gurgey A, et al. Leprechaunism is two Turkish patients. Turk J Pediatr. 1997;39:387-93.
Longo N, et al. Prenatal diagnosis of the insulin receptor gene in a family with leprechaunism. Prenat Diagn. 1995;15:1070-4.
Longo N, et al. Two mutations in the insulin receptor gene of a patient with leprechaunism: application to prenatal diagnosis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1995;80:1496-501.
Imamura T, et al. Donohue’s syndrome. Nippon Rinsho. 1994;52:2643-7.
Ioan D, et al. Leprechaunism: report of two cases and review. Endocrinologie. 1988;26:205-9.
INTERNET
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). The Johns Hopkins University. Donohue Syndrome. Entry No: 246200. Last Edited 12/09/2014. Available at: https://omim.org/entry/246200?search=Donohue%20Syndrome&highlight=syndromic%20syndrome%20donohue Accessed July 25, 2018.
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