Alejandro Padilla Guzmán

Dr. Alejandro Padilla Guzmán


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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Journal Article
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AGAlejandro Padilla Guzmán
Alejandro Padilla Guzmán
VOVanessa Amparo Ochoa-Jiménez
Vanessa Amparo Ochoa-Jiménez
JDJessica María Forero Delgadillo
Jessica María Forero Delgadillo
KAKaren Apraez-Murillo
Karen Apraez-Murillo
HPHarry Pachajoa
Harry Pachajoa
JRJaime M. Restrepo
Jaime M. Restrepo
Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is a rare hereditary disorder characterized by renal resistance to arginine vasopressin (AVP), resulting in the kidneys’ inability to concentrate urine. Approximately 90% of NDI cases follow an X-linked inheritance pattern and are associated with pathogenic variants in the AVPR2 gene, which encodes the vasopressin receptor type 2. The remaining 10% are attributed to mutations in the AQP2 gene, which encodes aquaporin-2, and may follow either autosomal dominant or recessive inheritance patterns. We present the case of a male infant, younger than nine months of age, who was clinically diagnosed with NDI at six months. The patient presented recurrent episodes of polydipsia, polyuria, dehydration, hypernatremia, and persistently low urine osmolality. Despite adjustments in pharmacologic treatment and strict monitoring of urinary output, the clinical response remained suboptimal. Given the lack of improvement and the radiological finding of an absent posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis), the possibility of coexistent central diabetes insipidus (CDI) was raised, prompting a therapeutic trial with desmopressin. Nevertheless, in the absence of clinical improvement, desmopressin was discontinued. The patient’s management was continued with hydrochlorothiazide, ibuprofen, and a high-calorie diet restricted in sodium and protein, resulting in progressive clinical stabilization. Whole-exome sequencing identified a novel homozygous missense variant in the AQP2 gene (c.398T > A; p.Val133Glu), classified as likely pathogenic according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) criteria: PM2 (absent from population databases), PP2 (missense variant in a gene with a low rate of benign missense variation), and PP3 (multiple lines of computational evidence supporting a deleterious effect)]. NDI is typically diagnosed during early infancy due to the early onset of symptoms and the potential for severe complications if left untreated. In this case, although initial clinical suspicion included concomitant CDI, the timely initiation of supportive management and the subsequent incorporation of molecular diagnostics facilitated a definitive diagnosis. The identification of a previously unreported homozygous variant in AQP2 contributed to diagnostic confirmation and therapeutic decision-making. The diagnosis and comprehensive management of NDI within the context of polyuria-polydipsia syndrome necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, integrating clinical evaluation with advanced molecular diagnostics. The novel AQP2 c.398T > A (p.Val133Glu) variant described herein was associated with early and severe clinical manifestations, underscoring the importance of genetic testing in atypical or treatment-refractory presentations of diabetes insipidus.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SVSara Vanegas
Sara Vanegas
DRDiana Ramírez-Montaño
Diana Ramírez-Montaño
AGAlejandro Padilla Guzmán
Alejandro Padilla Guzmán
HPHarry Pachajoa
Harry Pachajoa
The potential association of congenital dermal melanocytosis as a marker for lysosomal storage disease in infancy is rarely studied. A few cases of congenital dermal melanocytosis in association with lysosomal storage diseases have been reported. GM1 gangliosidosis type 1 and Hurler syndrome are the most common underlying lysosomal disorders associated with dermal melanocytosis. We present two non-relative patients with Hurler’s Syndrome who exhibited cutaneous manifestations. Both cases had a recurrent genetic variant c.1045G>T (p.Asp349Tyr) in the IDUA gene, located in a highly conserved amino acid position. We encourage the role of cutaneous findings in early suspicion and detection of inborn errors of metabolism, as well as differential diagnoses in a newborn with this finding.