LOWE SYNDROME

LS; Cerebro-oculo-renal Syndrome; Cerebro-oculo-renal Dystrophy; Lowe Oculocerebrorenal Syndrome; Lowe’s Disease; Oculocerebrorenal Dystrophy; OCRL; Oculocerebrorenal Syndrome; OCR; Oculo-cerebrorenal Syndrome of Lowe; Phosphatidylinositol-4,5 Bisphospate-5-Phosphatase Deficiency; Cerebrooculorenal syndrome; Oculocerebrorenal Syndrome; Lowe’s oculocerebrorenal disease/syndrome

Lowe Syndrome (LS) is a rare genetic condition caused by a mutation in the OCRL 1 gene resulting in physical and mental impairments beginning at birth. Because of this defective gene, an essential enzyme called PIP2-5 phosphatase is not produced. This enzyme is essential to normal metabolic processes that take place in a small part of the cell called the Golgi apparatus. Because of the enzyme deficiency, cell functions that are regulated by the Golgi are abnormal, leading to various developmental defects including bilateral cataracts and impairments of the nervous system and kidneys.

This disorder occurs most often in males, but can also occur in females.   

The kidneys play an important role in maintaining chemical balance in the body. In people with renal Fanconi syndrome, the kidneys are unable to reabsorb important nutrients into the bloodstream. When there is an imbalance of salts, minerals, water and other substances in the body, this imbalance can lead to impaired growth, bowed leg bones (hypophosphatemic rickets), and progressively worsening and life-threatening renal failure (end-stage renal disease).     

Diagnostic testing:

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  Molecular genetic testing;

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  Fibroblast; and

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  Blood testing.

Physical findings: There are three main findings, which are present in all people with LS:

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  Cataracts in one eye or both eyes at birth (glaucoma is present in about 50% of cases, though usually not at birth);

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  Low muscle tone and weakness (hypotonia) at birth; and

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  Fanconi syndrome, which is a type of kidney dysfunction.

People with Fanconi syndrome generally have normal kidney function shortly after birth, but abnormal function occurs by 1 year of age.

In addition to kidney dysfunction, children with LS have other impairments such as:

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  Intellectual disability;

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  Seizures;

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  Behavior problems;

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  Glaucoma;

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  Bone weakness (neonatal hypotonia); and

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  In male children, undescended testicles.

Neonatal hypotonia can contribute to feeding difficulties, problems with breathing, and delayed development of motor skills (i.e. sitting, standing, and walking). Motor and mental developmental delays are generally present in infancy. Temper tantrums and aggressiveness are frequent during adolescence.

ICD-9: 270.8

People with LS have delayed development and intellectual ability ranges from normal to severely impaired. Renal dysfunction, hypotonia, increased susceptibility to infectious disease; respiratory illness, seizures, and sudden death (usually while sleeping) are the most frequent causes of death during the first years of life in children with LS.

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  Clinical examination that describes diagnostic features of the impairment and laboratory studies are needed to confirm the diagnosis; and

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  Developmental assessment or psychological testing to address allegations of mental impairment may be warranted.