Leigh综合征是由于线粒体呼吸链能量代谢障碍所导致的遗传性疾病，丙酮酸脱氢酶E1ɑ亚单位（pyruvate dehydrogenase complex E1 alpha subunit, PDHA1）缺陷是导致Leigh综合征的常见原因之一。该研究通过PDHA1基因分析首次确诊了1例中国患者。该患儿1岁后运动发育落后，无力，肌张力低下，肌腱反射消失，发热、感冒时间歇性加重，智力发育正常。肌电图检查、腓肠肌病理活检结果提示神经性损害。3岁时脑MRI扫描未见异常，5岁时脑MRI呈现双侧苍白球对称性损害，符合Leigh综合征表现。经基因分析证实患者及其母亲PDHA1基因外显子3存在C214T突变，导致丙酮酸脱氢酶复合物活性下降。经过维生素B1、辅酶Q10、左旋肉碱及低碳水化合物饮食治疗后，患儿运动能力显著改善，现在8岁，正常就学。PDHA1缺陷为X连锁遗传性疾病，表型复杂，临床诊断困难，该患儿以无力为主要表现，经基因诊断确诊。［中国当代儿科杂志，2007，9（3）：216-219］

Leigh syndrome is a genetically heterogeneous disease caused by defects in enzymes involved in aerobic energy metabolism and the Krebs' cycle. Deficiency of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex E1 alpha subunit (PDHA1) is the common cause of Leigh syndrome. In this study, one Chinese case of PDHA1 deficiency was reported. The patient was a boy with normal mental development, retarded motor development, general weakness, hypotonia and areflexia. Muscle histopathological findings suggested axonal peripheral neuropathy. Brain magnetic resonance imaging at 5 years of age revealed bilateral putamina lesions and periventricular white matter demyelination, supporting the diagnosis of Leigh syndrome. A C214T mutation in exon 3 of the PDHA1 gene was detected. After the treatment of thiamin, coenzyme Q10, Lcarnitine and carbohydrates-restricted diet, his movement ability improved significantly. At present, the patient is 8 years old and has normal school life. PDHA1 deficiency is an X-linked inherited metabolic disease, which shares various clinical manifestations and leads to difficult diagnosis. This patient predominately presented with progressive weakness and was diagnosed by gene analysis.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2007, 9 (3):216-219］