Apparent cure of a newborn with malignant osteopetrosis using prednisone therapy.

Abstract

A newborn girl with hemorrhagic purpura, suspected neonatal sepsis, and pale and dry skin was lethargic with remarkable hepatosplenomegaly, convergent strabismus, severe anemia, and elevated alkaline phosphatase activity. Radiographs showed a generalized increase in bone density, small medullary cavities, sclerosis of the skull and vertebrae, transverse wavy stripes of sclerotic bone in the metaphyses, and bone-in-bone appearance in phalanges of hands and feet. On this basis, she was diagnosed with malignant infantile osteopetrosis. On the first day of life, the infant was given a blood transfusion and vitamin K (1 mg intravenously [iv]). Corticosteroid therapy was started with prednisone (2 mg/kg per day). She showed marked improvement of symptoms. On the 26th day and 42nd day of life, she received additional blood transfusions. On the 49th day, the patient was discharged and corticosteroid therapy was continued at a regimen of 5 mg/day. Subsequent blood sample analyses revealed normal values for age. At 1 year of life, a bone marrow sample showed normal white and red cell lineages. X-ray confirmed attenuation of the bone sclerosis; therefore, bone marrow transplantation (BMT) was not implemented. At the age of 1.5 years, prednisone therapy was discontinued gradually and withdrawn before the age of 2 years. Subsequent follow-up showed normalization of all radiological and hematologic parameters. At present, the patient is 3 years old and appears healthy with apparently complete regression of the disease.

• Authors: M Iacobini, S Migliaccio, M Roggini, A Taranta, B Werner, A Panero, A Teti
• Journal: Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (J Bone Miner Res) Vol. 16 Issue 12 Pg. 2356-60 (Dec 2001) ISSN: 0884-0431 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11760852 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Glucocorticoids
• Prednisone

Topics

• Ankle (abnormalities, diagnostic imaging)
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Forearm (abnormalities, diagnostic imaging)
• Glucocorticoids (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Knee (abnormalities, diagnostic imaging)
• Leg (abnormalities, diagnostic imaging)
• Osteopetrosis (diagnostic imaging, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Prednisone (therapeutic use)
• Radiography
• Skull (abnormalities, diagnostic imaging)
• Thorax (abnormalities)
• Treatment Outcome