Ferritin L-subunit Gene Mutation and Hereditary Hyperferritinaemia Cataract Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review 

Abstract

Background: Hereditary hyperferritinaemia cataract syndrome (HHCS) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by high serum ferritin levels and juvenile bilateral cataracts. It is often caused by mutations in the Iron Response Element (IRE) of the ferritin L-subunit (FTL) gene. Most of the mutations are point mutations located in the upper stem and the conserved hexanucleotide of the hairpin structure of IRE, only a few mutations are deletions. Case presentation: Here we report a 73-year-old woman who presented to clinic with persistently elevated serum ferritin and family history of juvenile bilateral cataracts in four generations. DNA sequencing analyses identified a heterozygous c.-167C>T mutation in the 5’ untranslated region (UTR) of the FTL gene. Her daughter and granddaughter were also confirmed to have the same genetic mutation.Conclusion: HHCS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hyperferritinemia, especially in the presence of normal serum iron concentration and transferrin saturation. For patients with unexplained hyperferritinemia and bilateral cataracts who have experienced early vision loss, the establishment of genetic counseling is essential to diagnose other family members who are at risk in time, so as to avoid unnecessary liver biopsy and venesection.