Simon E, Flaschker N, Schadewaldt P, Langenbeck U, Wendel U. Variant maple syrup urine disease (MSUD)--the entire spectrum.
J Inherit Metab Dis 2006;
29:716-24. [PMID:
17063375 DOI:
10.1007/s10545-006-0276-1]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2005] [Revised: 08/15/2006] [Accepted: 09/01/2006] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
In the rare inborn autosomal recessive disorder maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) the accumulation of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and their metabolic products results in acute and chronic brain dysfunction. About 20% of the patients suffer from non-classic variant forms of MSUD of different clinical severity.
AIM
Up to now variant cases have mostly been published as individual case reports; the aim of this study was to give a comparative description of 16 individuals (aged 6-30 years) with different forms of variant MSUD.
METHODS
Laboratory data, information on clinical course and treatment as well as aspects of developmental, intellectual and social outcome were obtained retrospectively. Data from in vitro and in vivo methods measuring the degree of enzyme deficiency were included.
RESULTS
In addition to a mild phenotype, which fits well into the so-called intermittent variant, and a more severe phenotype with a wider range from a mild variant to an almost classic form, which fits well into the so-called intermediate variant, we assume the existence of an asymptomatic, non-disease variant of MSUD. These clinical phenotypes are not unambiguously differentiable on the basis of biochemical parameters.
CONCLUSION
A continuum of clinical severity from asymptomatic to very severe (border to classic) exists in variant MSUD. Apart from newborns with classic MSUD, also those with variant forms benefit from early diagnosis and start of adequate treatment.
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