Rapid whole-genome sequencing identifies a novel homozygous NPC1 variant associated with Niemann–Pick type C1 disease in a 7-week-old male with cholestasis

Abstract

Niemann–Pick type C disease (NPC; OMIM #257220) is an inborn error of intracellular cholesterol trafficking. It is an autosomal recessive disorder caused predominantly by mutations in NPC1. Although characterized as a progressive neurological disorder, it can also cause cholestasis and liver dysfunction because of intrahepatocyte lipid accumulation. We report a 7-wk-old infant who was admitted with neonatal cholestasis, and who was diagnosed with a novel homozygous stop-gain variant in NPC1 by rapid whole-genome sequencing (WGS). WGS results were obtained 16 d before return of the standard clinical genetic test results and prompted initiation of targeted therapy.