Yan Sun, Qingyou Zhang, Yaqian Huang, Xueqin Liu
Peking University First Hospital.
China
Children
Children 2026; 13:
DOI: 10.3390/children13050694
Abstract
Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a rare but life-threatening condition in children, with hereditary forms often being linked to mutations in genes such as bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 (BMPR2), caveolin 1 (CAV1), and potassium channel subfamily K member 3 (KCNK3). Among these, CAV1 mutations are associated with severe disease phenotypes, though cases resulting from de novo heterozygous CAV1 mutations with multi-system involvement remain rarely reported. The CAV1 mutation (c.424C > T, p.Q142X) disrupts caveolin-1 function, leading to dysregulated pulmonary vascular remodeling and multi-system abnormalities.
Methods: This was a retrospective case study of a pediatric patient with hereditary PAH. The patient was followed at our hospital from initial presentation until death. Clinical data were collected from medical records, including physical examinations, laboratory tests, echocardiography, chest X-ray, computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA), and genetic analysis. The patient was treated sequentially with various PAH-targeted medications. This report also includes a review of the relevant literature on CAV1-associated PAH.
Results: A female aged 3 years and 11 months was diagnosed with hereditary PAH associated with a de novo heterozygous CAV1 mutation (c.424C > T, p.Q142X). Both parents underwent genetic testing and were negative for the mutation, confirming its de novo origin. Clinical manifestations included special facial features, congenital telangiectasia, cutis marmorata (marbled skin), congenital cataract, hereditary lipodystrophy, and severe PAH. The patient presented with progressive exercise intolerance, syncope, and worsening dyspnea over nine years. Echocardiography revealed pulmonary hypertension with an estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure of 69-105 mmHg, right heart enlargement, right ventricular hypertrophy, and moderate tricuspid regurgitation. Blood and urine metabolic screenings were normal. A chest X-ray showed progressive enlargement of the cardiac silhouette and bulging of the pulmonary artery segment. CTPA demonstrated pulmonary hypertension, secondary right heart dysfunction, decompensated right ventricular function, and mosaic perfusion in both lungs, suggestive of small arterial branch occlusion. Right heart catheterization was declined by the parents. Thus, the diagnosis of PAH was established based on clinical, echocardiographic, CTPA, and genetic findings. The patient was hospitalized four times and lost to follow-up from 2017 to 2023. She received sequential treatment with digoxin, hydrochlorothiazide, tadalafil, ambrisentan, selexipag, and treprostinil. Despite these therapies, pulmonary artery pressure continued to rise with progressive clinical deterioration. The patient ultimately died at 13 years of age due to a pulmonary hypertensive crisis and multiple organ failure following a severe episode of gastroenteritis.
Conclusions: Despite aggressive treatment with multiple targeted reduced pulmonary artery pressure drug therapies, managing hereditary PAH caused by CAV1 mutations in children remains a significant challenge, with a high mortality rate. Early genetic diagnosis, regular follow-up, and individualized treatment are crucial. It requires the joint efforts of patients, parents, and healthcare providers.
Category
Class I. Heritable Pulmonary Hypertension
Genetic Factors Associated with Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Medical Therapy. Efficacy or Lack of Efficacy
Age Focus: Pediatric Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Fresh or Filed Publication: Fresh (PHresh). Less than 1-2 years since publication
Article Access
Free PDF File or Full Text Article Available Through PubMed or DOI: Yes