How Is Methylmalonic Acidemia Treated?

Advertisements

The disorders are very rare, with only a few individual cases reported. Methylmalonic Acidemia is a form of Ketotic Hyperglycinemia. (For more information on this disorder, choose “Ketotic Hyperglycinemia” as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)

Is methylmalonic acidemia inherited?

Methylmalonic acidemia is an inherited disorder in which the body is unable to process certain proteins and fats (lipids) properly. The effects of methylmalonic acidemia, which usually appear in early infancy, vary from mild to life-threatening.

Is there a cure for MMA?

“MMA is very rare. There is no cure but the doctors are getting better at managing it. Previously, there was little knowledge in terms of management, so there aren’t very many old people with it.

How common is methylmalonic acidemia?

Methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) is estimated to affect one out of every 50,000 to 100,000 babies born in the United States. MMA is caused by cobalamin disorders A and B is only one form of methylmalonic acidemia.

What is the life expectancy of MMA fighters?

Most MMA fighters are in their twenties. Assuming conservatively that they have another 50 years of life expectancy, that comes to $20,000/year. Anyone who has had experience with someone with a life-threatening brain injury knows the enormous expenses associated with such injuries.

Can adults have methylmalonic acidemia?

Isolated methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) is an autosomal-recessive disorder of amino acid metabolism caused by impaired activity of the methylmalonyl-coenzyme A mutase enzyme. Although it is primarily a pediatric disorder, undiagnosed cases may present to adult neurologists.

How does methylmalonic acidemia happen?

Methylmalonic acidemia is caused by changes in several different genes and is inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. Treatment includes aggressive management of decompensation events, a low-protein diet, certain medications, antibiotics and, in some cases, liver and kidney transplantation.

When should I buy methylmalonic acid?

When is the test ordered? The methylmalonic acid test isn’t typically ordered as part of a routine physical exam. Your doctor may order the test if the result of your vitamin B-12 test is abnormal. In addition, the test may be ordered if you have symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency.

Why is methylmalonic acid toxic?

It is a classical type of organic acidemia. The result of this condition is the inability to properly digest specific fats and proteins, which in turn leads to a buildup of a toxic level of methylmalonic acid in the blood.

How do you test for methylmalonic acidemia?

MMA levels may be checked in blood or urine. During a blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial.

What causes high levels of methylmalonic acid?

Elevated levels of methylmalonic acid (MMA) result from inherited defects of enzymes involved in MMA metabolism or inherited or acquired deficiencies of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) or its downstream metabolites.

What is methylmalonic acidemia disease?

Methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) is an inherited condition caused by a faulty gene. Children with MMA lack a protein that the body needs to break down fats and cholesterol inside cells. As a result, these substances build up in cells, causing damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, and other organs that gets worse over time.

Advertisements

What is methylmalonic acid used for?

The methylmalonic acid (MMA) test may be used to help diagnose an early or mild vitamin B12 deficiency. It may be ordered by itself but generally with a homocysteine test as a follow-up to a vitamin B12 test result that is in the lower end of the normal range.

What does a high methylmalonic acid level mean?

Methylmalonic acid (MMA) is a substance that is created when your body digests protein. The amount of vitamin B12 in your body controls how much MMA your body makes. A high amount of MMA typically means you have a vitamin B12 deficiency.‌

How can MMA levels be reduced?

A dose of 1,000 microg/day proved to be the most effective in lowering MMA levels to within normal limits. Serum tHcy was normalized in six of 11 subjects who had elevated tHcy pretreatment with oral Cbl alone and in one subject in combination with a multivitamin.

What enzyme is deficient in methylmalonic acidemia?

Methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) is usually caused by a deficiency of the enzyme methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MCM, EC 5.4.

What is methylmalonic aciduria and homocystinuria cblC type?

What is Methylmalonic Aciduria and Homocystinuria, cblC Type? Methylmalonic aciduria and homocystinuria, cblC type is a metabolic disorder that affects the body’s ability to process a protein called cobalamin. Cobalamin is also known as vitamin B12.

What is homocystinuria?

Homocystinuria (HCU) is a rare but potentially serious inherited condition. It means the body can’t process the amino acid methionine. This causes a harmful build-up of substances in the blood and urine.

What is homocystinuria type cblC?

cblC type methylmalonic acidemia with homocystinuria is a form of methylmalonic acidemia with homocystinuria (see this term), an inborn error of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) metabolism characterized by megaloblastic anemia, lethargy, failure to thrive, developmental delay, intellectual deficit and seizures.

Is MMA bad for your brain?

After studying MRI scans for 135 MMA fighters and 104 boxers, researchers found indications of a connection between the duration of a fighter’s career and significant degradation in certain areas of the brain. …

How bad does MMA hurt?

Grappling-based bouts have their own kinds of soreness, usually in the forearms, shoulders, back and hips. Hard shots to the head might put a fighter in a haze for a few days. They might suffer headaches and neck pain. Body shots leave the ribs and abdominals aching.

Who is the youngest UFC fighter?

Chase Hooper is officially the youngest fighter in UFC history. “The Teenage Dream” will make his UFC debut at UFC 245 on December 14 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hooper joins Sage Northcutt as the only teenagers ever to sign a UFC contract.

Do you need to fast for methylmalonic acid?

Fasting is typically required for the blood test. For a random urine sample, you should fast overnight, discard the first urine sample of the morning, and then collect the second sample.

Advertisements