Clinical Description
CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) characterized by severe early-onset epilepsy and motor, cognitive, visual, and autonomic disturbances [Bahi-Buisson et al 2008, Nemos et al 2009, Castrén et al 2011, Melani et al 2011, Bahi-Buisson et al 2012, Fehr et al 2015, Fehr et al 2016, Mangatt et al 2016]. Movement disorders include chorea, dystonia, and stereotypical hand and leg movements [Olson et al 2019, Olson et al 2021, Leonard et al 2022]. Cardiac involvement is nonspecific [Stansauk et al 2023].
Because the full spectrum of phenotypic severity is still emerging, especially given the possibility of mosaicism (in males and females) and the potential for skewed X-chromosome inactivation (in females), an individual with a de novo
CDKL5 pathogenic variant may have a mild phenotype (for example, minimal epilepsy and global developmental delays).
To date, approximately 500 individuals have been identified with CDD [Leonard et al 2022]. The following description of the phenotypic features associated with CDD is based on these reports.
Although females are more commonly affected than males (female-to-male ratio is approximately 4:1 [Demarest et al 2019]), the severity of manifestations in heterozygous females and hemizygous males can be equivalent. However, the severity of the phenotype can vary depending on the type and position of the CDKL5 pathogenic variant, pattern of X-chromosome inactivation in females, and presence of postzygotic mosaicism in males or females, who can have mild manifestations [Demarest et al 2019, MacKay et al 2021, Wong et al 2023].
Table 2.
CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder: Frequency of Select Features
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Feature 1 | % of Persons w/Feature |
---|
Development delay / intellectual disability | 100% |
Epilepsy | >99% 2 |
Sleep disturbances | 90% |
Cerebral visual impairment | 80% |
Gastrointestinal problems | 70% |
Feeding problems requiring gastrostomy tube placement | 30% |
Movement disorders | 25% |
Musculoskeletal abnormalities | 20% |
Respiratory problems | Apnea/hypoventilation | 20% |
Lower respiratory infections | 10% |
Behavioral problems | Unknown |
- 1.
Families who care for children with CDD rank seizures as a top concern, followed closely by communication, sleep disorders, and vision issues [Neul et al 2023].
- 2.
Development. Gross motor, fine motor, and speech-language development are impaired in all affected individuals.
Gross motor abnormalities are accompanied by generalized hypotonia. Approximately 60% of individuals achieve sitting and approximately 20% achieve independent walking.
Approximately 40%-70% of individuals cannot grasp and hold objects.
Approximately 20% of individuals have spoken language. Most children can use some simple nonverbal communication methods.
Cerebral visual impairment, which affects 80% of individuals, may affect development in each of these areas.
Epilepsy. Most individuals have early-onset and severe intractable epilepsy. Seizures are variable in type over time. Epileptic spasms are the initial seizure type in nearly 25% of individuals (and in those individuals, 50% of seizures occur without hypsarrhythmia on EEG). Other seizure types include tonic, focal, myoclonic, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and mixed types that include features of spasms, tonic seizures, and hypermotor seizures.
In general, epilepsy is medically refractory throughout life but shows some improvements with age. In up to 40% of individuals there may be a relative temporary improvement in seizures ("honeymoon period") around ages one to two years [Fehr et al 2016, Demarest et al 2019].
EEG features may be normal in early infancy but subsequently evolve to abnormal background activity that can include a Lennox-Gastaut pattern.
Neuroimaging. Nonspecific but abnormal brain imaging may be more evident in males than in females; findings can include progressive cortical and cerebellar atrophy with reduction in white and gray matter thickness [Leonard et al 2022].
In one study, brain MRIs in 64% (n=14/22) of individuals were normal in the first year of life. Follow-up MRIs showed progressive cortical and cerebellar atrophy. These findings, which can be seen in other DEEs, were hypothesized to be due to either CDD pathogenesis or severe intractable epilepsy [Specchio et al 2023].
Sleep disturbances. Abnormal sleep patterns, typically with inability to maintain sleep, are common [Mangatt et al 2016]. Parents report lack of sleep overall for several nights followed by excessive somnolence in more severe cases. This feature is typically lifelong [Hagebeuk et al 2013].
Cerebral visual impairment. Abnormal visual function manifests as abnormal eye movements that include horizontal and rotatory nystagmus and dysconjugate eye movements with reduced tracking and fixation associated with difficulties in visually oriented tasks such as reaching. Response to bright light can be abnormal (e.g., lack of blink). There may be improvement of visual fixation and task performance with age [Demarest et al 2019, Olson et al 2019, Brock et al 2021].
Gastrointestinal problems. Constipation and gastroesophageal reflux disease requiring medical management are typically lifelong.
Feeding problems. While one third of individuals may require gastrostomy tube placement for feeding, the remainder usually have some degree of feeding challenges (likely influenced by hypotonia of the pharyngeal muscles) that may be associated with increased risk of aspiration.
Movement disorders. The incidence of movement disorders may be underappreciated due to variability in ascertainment. Chorea, dystonia, and stereotypical leg crossing are not uncommon. Abnormal movements such as stereotypical hand movements may be present.
Musculoskeletal involvement may include scoliosis and large joint abnormalities associated with severe hypotonia (subluxation/dislocation of hips and knees).
Respiratory problems. Aspiration pneumonia due to impaired ability to clear respiratory secretions may be more prevalent in those with severe hypotonia.
Behavioral problems. Occasionally, autistic behaviors including abnormal socialization and repetitive behaviors have been described.