To summarize the phenotype and genotype of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) patients, and compare the phenotype and genotype characteristics between children and adult patients.

The comprehensive clinical data of 30 patients with X-ALD admitted to Beijing Jingdu Children′s Hospital and the First Medical Center of People′s Liberation Army General Hospital from August 2012 to December 2019 were analyzed, including their clinical manifestations and the results of gene test, biochemical test and magnetic resonance imaging examination, etc.

Among the 30 patients, 15 (50.0%) were childhood cerebraI ALD (CCALD, onset age 5－10 yeas, mean 7 years), 13 (43.3%) were adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN, onset age 21－41 yeas, mean 29 years). One (3.3%) was adult cerebral ALD (onset age 29 yeas), one (3.3%) was pure Addison disease (onset age 3.5 yeas). Most common clinical phenotype in children was CCALD and the first symptoms were inattention, learning ability decline, vision and hearing impairment. Otherwise the most common type in adult was AMN and the first symptoms were mainly progressive weakness of the lower limbs, muscle spasm, and abnormal gait. These patients came from 29 different families, among whom, 25 patients conducted gene test and 22 different types of ABCD1 gene mutations were found. Missense mutation was the main gene mutation type. Patients with different clinical types had no specificity in gene mutation types.

In China, the most common clinical classification of X-ALD in children is CCALD, and AMN in adults. No clear correlation has been found between genotype and phenotype.

Adrenoleukodystrophy; Genetic diseases, X-linked; Genotype; Phenotype; Child; Adult