BH4 deficiency identified in a neonatal screening program for hyperphenylalaninemia

Objectives: To show the general prevalence and to characterize tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) deficiencies with hyperphenylalaninemia, identified by the Neonatal Screening Program of the State of Minas Gerais. Methods: Descriptive study of patients with BH4 deficiency identified by the Neonatal Screening Program of the State of Minas Gerais. Results: The prevalence found was 2.1 for 1,000,000 live births, with a frequency of 1.71% among hyperphenylalaninemias. There were four cases (40%) with 6-pyruvoyl-tetrahydropterin synthase deficiency, three with GTP cyclohydrolase I – autosomal recessive form deficiency, and three with dihydropteridine reductase deficiency (30% each). Six patients were diagnosed due to clinical suspicion and four cases due to systematic screening in neonatal screening. After the start of the treatment, patients identified by neonatal screening had rapid improvement and improved neuropsychomotor development compared to those diagnosed by the medical history. Conclusions: The prevalence of BH4 deficiencies in Minas Gerais was slightly higher than that found in the literature, but the frequency among hyperphenylalaninemias was similar. Although rare, they are severe diseases and, if left untreated, lead to developmental delays, abnormal movements, seizures, and premature death. Early treatment onset (starting before 5 months of age) showed good results in preventing intellectual disability, justifying the screening of these deficiencies in newborns with hyperphenylalaninemia identified at the neonatal screening programs for phenylketonuria. Resumo: Objetivos: Apresentar a prevalência geral e caracterizar as deficiências de tetrahidrobiopterina - BH4 - com hiperfenilalaninemia, identificadas pelo Programa de Triagem Neonatal do Estado de Minas Gerais. Métodos: Estudo descritivo de pacientes com deficiência de BH4 do Programa de Triagem Neonatal do Estado de Minas Gerais. Resultados: A prevalência encontrada foi de 2,1 para 1.000.000 recém-nascidos vivos e a frequência de 1,71%, dentre as hiperfenilalaninemias. Quatro casos (40%) com deficiência de 6-piruvoil-tetrahidropterina sintase, três com deficiência de GTP ciclohidrolase I e três com deficiência de dihidropteridina redutase (30% cada um). Seis pacientes foram diagnosticados por suspeita clínica e quatro pela pesquisa sistemática na triagem neonatal. Após o início do tratamento, os pacientes identificados pela triagem neonatal tiveram melhora rápida e melhor desenvolvimento neuropsicomot