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Article
Successful treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia with icosapent ethyl in a case of congenital generalized lipodystrophy type 4
Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism
  • Funmbi Babalola, Hospital for Sick Children University of Toronto
  • Dominic Ng, Saint Michael's Hospital University of Toronto
  • Anica Bulic, Hospital for Sick Children University of Toronto
  • Jacqueline Curtis, Hospital for Sick Children University of Toronto
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2022
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1515/jpem-2021-0718
Abstract

Congenital generalized lipodystrophy type 4 (CGL4) is a rare autosomal recessive condition with high rates of morbidity and mortality. It is a multisystem condition associated with ventricular tachyarrhythmia, congenital myopathy, hepatitis, and metabolic profile of severe hypertriglyceridemia and insulin resistance. Metreleptin is the first line treatment, however it is unavailable in several countries. Herein, we describe a unique presentation and treatment of CGL4. A 16-year-old female presented with insulin resistant diabetes, and was later found to have myopathy, hypertriglyceridemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, ventricular arrhythmias, and genetic confirmation of CGL4 due to homozygous change in CAVIN1 gene. She had severe hypertriglyceridemia, frequently >17 mmol/L, requiring several hospital admissions. To better control hypertriglyceridemia, in context of known congenital myopathy, we opted for treatment with icosapent ethyl, an ethyl ester of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which reduces synthesis and enhances clearance of triglycerides. On this treatment, she was able to maintain stable triglyceride levels of 4 mmol/L. We present the first case report of a patient with CGL4, successfully treated for hypertriglyceridemia, with icosapent ethyl.

Citation Information
Funmbi Babalola, Dominic Ng, Anica Bulic and Jacqueline Curtis. "Successful treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia with icosapent ethyl in a case of congenital generalized lipodystrophy type 4" Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism (2022)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/funmbi-babalola/2/