Diagnosing Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (7-dehydrocholesterol reductase deficiency)
Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLO) is a multiple congenital anomaly disorder caused by defective cholesterol biosynthesis due to deficiency of the enzyme 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) reductase.
Clinical variability even within families has been noted and severity of SLO ranges from severe to mild.
Elevated plasma concentrations of 7-DHC and 8-dehydrocholesterol are highly suggestive of a biochemical diagnosis of SLO.
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
7-Dehydrocholesterol Reductase Deficiency
8-Dehydrocholesterol
RSH Syndrome
Smith Lemli Opitz (SLO)
7DHC
7-DHC
8DHC
8-DHC
Plasma
Biochemical Genetics Patient Information (T602) is recommended, but not required, to be filled out and sent with the specimen to aid in the interpretation of test results.
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Green top (sodium or lithium heparin)
Acceptable: Lavender top (EDTA), pearl white top (EDTA plasma gel), yellow top (ACD solution A or B)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Centrifuge and aliquot plasma into plastic vial.
2. Send plasma frozen.
1. Biochemical Genetics Patient Information (T602)
2. If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Biochemical Genetics Test Request (T798) with the specimen.
0.1 mL
Gross hemolysis | OK |
Gross lipemia | OK |
Gross icterus | OK |
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Plasma | Frozen (preferred) | 92 days | |
Refrigerated | 28 days | ||
Ambient | 14 days |
Diagnosing Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (7-dehydrocholesterol reductase deficiency)
Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLO) is a multiple congenital anomaly disorder caused by defective cholesterol biosynthesis due to deficiency of the enzyme 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) reductase.
Clinical variability even within families has been noted and severity of SLO ranges from severe to mild.
Elevated plasma concentrations of 7-DHC and 8-dehydrocholesterol are highly suggestive of a biochemical diagnosis of SLO.
Cholesterol plays an essential role in many cellular and developmental processes. In addition to its role as a membrane lipid, it is the precursor to numerous molecules that play important roles in cell growth and differentiation, protein glycosylation, and signaling pathways. The biosynthesis of cholesterol and its subsequent conversion to other essential compounds is complex, involving a number of intermediates and enzymes. Disorders that result from a deficiency of these enzymes lead to an accumulation of specific intermediates and inhibit the formation of important biomolecules. Clinical findings common to cholesterol biosynthesis disorders include congenital skeletal malformations, dysmorphic facial features, psychomotor retardation, and failure to thrive.
Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLO) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by variants in the DHCR7 gene leading to a deficiency of the 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase enzyme. It is characterized biochemically by markedly increased plasma concentrations of 7-dehydrocholesterol and 8-dehydrocholesterol levels. Clinical features can include microcephaly, growth retardation, developmental delay, dysmorphic facial features, cleft palate, limb abnormalities (especially 2-3 syndactyly of the toes and postaxial polydactyly), and heart and kidney malformations. However, the clinical spectrum ranges from mild to severe with some mildly affected individuals presenting with only 2-3 toe syndactyly and mild cognitive impairment. The reported incidence is between 1 in 10,000 and 1 in 60,000, but it may be more prevalent due to underdiagnoses of mildly affected individuals.
Other disorders of cholesterol biosynthesis, including desmosterolosis (desmosterol reductase deficiency) and sitosterolemia, may present with similar manifestations. These disorders can be detected biochemically by performing a quantitative profile of plasma sterols (STER / Sterols, Plasma).
7-DEHYDROCHOLESTEROL
< or =2.0 mg/L
8-DEHYDROCHOLESTEROL
< or =0.3 mg/L
Elevated plasma concentrations of 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) and 8-dehydrocholesterol are highly suggestive of a biochemical diagnosis of Smith-Lemli-Opitz (SLO) syndrome.
Mild elevations of these cholesterol precursors can be detected in patients with hypercholesterolemia and patients treated with some antipsychotic or antidepressant medications, including haloperidol, aripiprazole, and trazodone. However, the 7-DHC to cholesterol ratio is typically elevated only in patients with SLO syndrome.
On very rare occasions, 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) is not elevated in patients with Smith-Lemli-Opitz (SLO) syndrome.
Cholesterol screening tests are unreliable for diagnosis for SLO syndrome.
Some antipsychotic or antidepressant medications, such as aripiprazole and trazodone cause false elevations in 7-DHC.
1. Donoghue SE, Pitt JJ, Boneh A, White SM. Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome: clinical and biochemical correlates. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2018;31(4):451-459
2. Nowaczyk MJM, Wassif CA. Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. In: Adam MP, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, et al., eds. GeneReviews [Internet]. University of Washington, Seattle; 1998. Updated January 30, 2020.Accesses November 02, 2023. Available at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1143/
3. Hall P, Michels V, Gavrilov D, et al. Aripiprazole and trazodone cause elevations of 7-dehydrocholesterol in the absence of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. Mol Genet Metab. 2013;110(1-2):176-178
4. Genaro-Mattos TC, Tallman KA, Allen LB, et al. Dichlorophenyl piperazines, including a recently-approved atypical antipsychotic, are potent inhibitors of DHCR7, the last enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2018;349:21-28. doi:10.1016/j.taap.2018.04.029
The plasma specimen is hydrolyzed and then extracted followed by evaporation to dryness under nitrogen. The sterols are derivatized and then analyzed using selected ion-monitoring electron impact gas chromatography mass spectrometry to quantitate 7-dehydrocholesterol and 8-dehydrocholesterol.(Unpublished Mayo method)
Tuesday, Friday
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
82542
Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
SLO | Smith-Lemli-Opitz Scrn, P | 73852-6 |
Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
---|---|---|
29974 | Reviewed By | 18771-6 |
29972 | Interpretation | 59462-2 |
610625 | 7-Dehydrocholesterol | 33275-9 |
610626 | 8-Dehydrocholesterol | 34671-8 |