Sirolimus Restores Erythropoiesis and Controls Immune Dysregulation in a Child With Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia: A Case Report

Abstract

Cartilage-hair hypoplasia (CHH) is a syndromic immunodeficiency characterized by metaphyseal dysplasia, cancer predisposition, and varying degrees of anemia. It may present as severe combined immunodeficiency in infancy, or slowly progress until fully manifesting in late adolescence/adulthood. No targeted treatment is currently available, and patients are usually managed with supportive measures, or are offered a bone marrow transplant if the clinical phenotype is severe and a suitable donor is available. We report the case of a young girl presenting with transfusion-dependent erythropoietic failure and immunological features resembling autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome who responded well to empirical sirolimus. She later developed a marked growth delay, which was ultimately attributed to metaphyseal dysplasia. A diagnosis of CHH was reached through whole-genome sequencing (WGS), after a less sensitive genetic diagnostic strategy failed. The patient eventually underwent a haploidentical bone marrow transplant due to progressive combined immunodeficiency manifested as cryptococcal meningoencephalitis. This case illustrates the potential role of sirolimus in correcting anemia and partially controlling the immune aberrations associated with CHH, and serves as a reminder of the invaluable role of WGS in diagnosing patients with complex and atypical presentations.

Keywords: bone marrow failure disorders; cartilage-hair hypoplasia (CHH); pure red cell aplasia (PRCA); sirolimus; whole-genome sequencing (WGS).

Figure 1

Metaphyseal alterations at the distal radius and ulna, with irregularity of the cartilaginous border and inhomogeneity of the bone structure (areas of marked radiolucency, interspersed among sclerotic striae), and brevity of phalanxes and metacarpal bones. These characteristics are consistent with mild metaphyseal dysplasia in cartilage-hair hypoplasia. D = right.