Methylmalonic Acidemia
DefinitionMethylmalonic acidemia is an inherited metabolic disorder, usually diagnosed in infancy, that causes the accumulation of methylmalonic acid in the body and can lead to severe metabolic disturbances.
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
A defect in the metabolic conversion of methymalonyl-coenzyme A to succinyl-CoA leads to a build up of methylmalonic acid in the body. The disease is usually diagnosed in the first year of life because it can cause seizures and stroke. Protein in the diet may worsen this condition, so babies who have it may appear normal at birth but show symptoms once they increase their protein intake.
This autosomal recessive disorder (the defective gene must be inherited from both parents) occurs in 1 in 25,000 to 48,000 people. The true rate of occurrence of the disease may be higher, because many neonatal deaths may be caused by undiagnosed metabolic disorders. Both boys and girls are equally affected.
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