Asparagine synthetase deficiency (ASD) mainly presents as a triad of congenital microcephaly, severe developmental delay, and axial hypotonia followed by spastic quadriplegia. Low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) asparagine level can help the clinician in differentiating this disorder from others. In most cases age of onset of apnea, excessive irritability, and seizures is soon after birth. Affected individuals typically do not acquire any developmental milestones. Spastic quadriplegia can lead to severe contractures of the limbs and neurogenic scoliosis. Feeding difficulties (gastroesophageal reflux disease, frequent vomiting, swallowing dysfunction, and gastroesophageal incoordination) are a significant problem in most affected individuals. A majority have cortical blindness. MRI findings are nonspecific but may include generalized atrophy and simplified gyral pattern.

Xerosis and growth failure with immune and pulmonary dysfunction syndrome (XGIP) is characterized by premature birth, intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation, and collodion membrane or collodion-like skin at birth with dry skin thereafter. Patients also exhibit bronchopulmonary disease and thrombocytopenia and neutropenia. Variable features include cardiac anomalies, seizures, encephalopathy, and cholestasis, and cataract has been observed. Affected individuals die within the first year of life (Shamseldin et al., 2023).