ARHR2 and GACI occur secondary to biallelic ectonucleotide pyrophosphate/phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1) loss-of-function mutations. GACI is a life-threatening condition, often presenting in the neonatal period with heart failure and hypertension, caused by calcification of large- and medium-sized arteries. ARHR2 typically manifests later in life with short stature, rachitic skeletal changes, lower limb deformities, skeletal fragility and bone/muscle pain. We present six cases of homozygous pathogenic variants in the ENPP1 gene causing ARHR2 and/or GACI (Table 1). These cases add to the phenotypic spectrum of this exceedingly rare condition and highlight diagnostic and therapeutic challenges faced by clinicians.
Case 1: Presented with lower limb deformities and pain with radiological evidence of rickets. Subsequent investigations displayed aortic and pulmonary arterial calcification.
Case 2: Presented with lower limb deformities and knee pain. Confirmatory genetic testing was undertaken following her brother’s (Case 1) diagnosis.
Case 3: The diagnosis was made antenatally. Bisphosphonate treatment was instituted in both the pre- and post-natal periods due to the presence of extensive arterial calcifications. Rickets were noted by two years of age.
Case 4: Presented with lower limb deformities and pain. There is no current evidence of arterial calcification nor hypertension.
Case 5: Presented at three months of age in cardiogenic shock with widespread calcification of large and medium-sized arteries. Bisphosphonate treatment was instituted.
Case 6: Presented at two weeks of age with right shoulder discomfort, with evidence of pericapsular calcification of the glenohumeral joint. Further imaging revealed aortic, mediastinal and vertebral calcification.
Case 1 and 2 were also found to have a heterozygous pathogenic ALPL variant consistent with hypophosphatasia.
Clinical features, biochemistry, imaging and genetic analyses assist in the diagnosis of ARHR2 and GACI. Treatment to date includes phosphate and calcitriol for ARHR2 and bisphosphonates for GACI. Clinical trials of ENPP1 replacement treatment are currently underway.