Congenital hypoplastic anemia, diabetes, and severe renal tubular dysfunction associated with a mitochondrial DNA deletion.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion is associated with a variety of clinical entities. In addition to progressive external ophthalmoplegia and Kearns-Sayre syndrome, mtDNA deletions have been demonstrated in Pearson's syndrome. We report an mtDNA deletion in an infant with a variant of Pearson's syndrome. Not only does she have congenital anemia, severe tubulopathy, and exocrine pancreas insufficiency, but she also has diabetes and cerebral atrophy. However, there are no signs of gut or liver involvement. Bone marrow improved while new tissues were involved, thus showing variability in progression of the disease. Decreased respiratory chain enzyme activities were demonstrated in muscle, and an mtDNA deletion was demonstrated in muscle, kidney, leukocytes, and fibroblasts.