SRD5A3-CDG: Emerging Phenotypic Features of an Ultrarare CDG Subtype

Background: SRD5A3-CDG is a rare N-glycosylation defect caused by steroid 5 alpha reductase type 3 deficiency. Its key feature is an early severe visual impairment with variable ocular anomalies often leading to diagnosis. Additional symptoms are still poorly defined. In this case study, we discuss 11 genetically confirmed cases, and report on emerging features involving other systems in addition to the eye phenotype.

Methods: In total, 11 SRD5A3-CDG patients in five sets of sibships were included in the study. Data on 9 of 11 patients are as of yet unpublished. Patients’ results on biochemical and genetic investigations and on in-depth phenotyping are presented.

Results: Key diagnostic features of SRD5A3-CDG are ophthalmological abnormalities with early-onset retinal dystrophy and optic nerve hypoplasia. SRD5A3-CDG is also characterized by variable neurological symptoms including intellectual disability, ataxia, and hypotonia. Furthermore, ichthyosiform skin lesions, joint laxity, and scoliosis have been observed in our cohort. We also report additional findings including dystonia, anxiety disorder, gastrointestinal symptoms, and MRI findings of small basal ganglia and mal-rotated hippocampus, whereas previous publications described dysmorphic features as a common finding in SRD5A3, which could not be confirmed in our patient cohort.

Conclusion: The detailed description of the phenotype of this large cohort of patients with SRD5A3-CDG highlights that the key clinical diagnostic features of SRD5A3-CDG are an early onset form of ophthalmological problems in patients with a multisystem disorder with variable symptoms evolving over time. This should aid earlier diagnosis and confirms the need for long-time follow-up of patients.