Sign Up for a Free Account
  • Updated 11.30.2023
  • Released 03.30.1995
  • Expires For CME 11.30.2026

Pyruvate carboxylase deficiency

Introduction

Overview

The author explains that a child with type B pyruvate carboxylase deficiency exhibited infantile parkinsonism and GABAergic hypotransmission.

Key points

• Pyruvate carboxylase deficiency, an inherited metabolic disorder, usually presents during infancy or early childhood with metabolic acidosis and hypoglycemia.

• Some individuals with pyruvate carboxylase deficiency can exhibit mild symptoms, whereas others have severe symptoms; the variability in symptoms appears to be based on the nature of their enzyme defect.

• Although pyruvate carboxylase is a biotin-dependent enzyme, individuals with the disorder do not usually respond to biotin therapy.

• Pyruvate carboxylase deficiency may be treated with thiamine and increased glucose, especially when experiencing severe metabolic crises. Various other supplements and interventions are used to treat the disorder with varying success.

Historical note and terminology

Hommes and colleagues reported a patient with pyruvate carboxylase deficiency and Leigh syndrome (33). This association, however, was not confirmed by later studies.

A child with intermittent lactic acidosis, profound mental and motor retardation, hypoglycemia, hyperpyruvic acidemia, and hyperalaninemia was the first to be reported with the North American phenotype (11). In 1976, two siblings with neonatal congenital lactic acidosis and pyruvate carboxylase deficiency were described (61). They were the first patients reported with the French phenotype of pyruvate carboxylase deficiency. Since then, more than 30 children with pyruvate carboxylase deficiency have been reported.

This is an article preview.
Start a Free Account
to access the full version.

  • Nearly 3,000 illustrations, including video clips of neurologic disorders.

  • Every article is reviewed by our esteemed Editorial Board for accuracy and currency.

  • Full spectrum of neurology in 1,200 comprehensive articles.

  • Listen to MedLink on the go with Audio versions of each article.

Questions or Comment?

MedLink®, LLC

3525 Del Mar Heights Rd, Ste 304
San Diego, CA 92130-2122

Toll Free (U.S. + Canada): 800-452-2400

US Number: +1-619-640-4660

Support: service@medlink.com

Editor: editor@medlink.com

ISSN: 2831-9125