Medium-chain acylcoenzyme-A dehydrogenase deficiency. Not just another Reye syndrome.

Abstract

The medium-chain acylcoenzyme-A dehydrogenase enzyme (MCAD) is involved in the initial stages of breakdown of medium-chain-length fatty acids in mitochondria. A deficiency of this enzyme can become symptomatic during a catabolic state and may resemble Reye syndrome. We report the case of a 17-month-old white girl whose 1-day history of vomiting and agitation followed by generalized unresponsiveness caused her to be brought to a local emergency department. She died after resuscitative efforts failed, and an autopsy revealed severe cerebral edema, marked hepatic steatosis, and steatosis of the renal tubule epithelia. Electron microscopy of the liver showed cytoplasmic lipid spherules and mitochondria with dense matrices, changes similar to Reye syndrome; however, postmortem examination of the decedent's blood revealed elevated medium-chain-length acylcarnitines diagnostic of an MCAD deficiency. Although uncommon, a deficiency of this enzyme should be considered in apparent Reye syndrome victims.

• Authors: E T Smith Jr, G J Davis
• Journal: The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology (Am J Forensic Med Pathol) Vol. 14 Issue 4 Pg. 313-8 (Dec 1993) ISSN: 0195-7910 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8116590 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Fatty Acids
• DNA
• Fatty Acid Desaturases
• Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase
• Carnitine

Topics

• Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase
• Blood Chemical Analysis
• Brain Edema (etiology)
• Carnitine (analogs & derivatives, blood)
• Cause of Death
• Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1
• DNA (analysis)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Fatty Acid Desaturases (deficiency, genetics)
• Fatty Acids (metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Kidney Tubules (pathology)
• Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors (diagnosis, genetics, pathology)
• Liver (pathology, ultrastructure)
• Mass Spectrometry
• Point Mutation
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Reye Syndrome (diagnosis)