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Medium Chain Acyl-coA Dehydrogenase Deficiency
(MCADD)
 

Primary Defect

Defect in production of MCAD enzyme which functions in metabolizing fatty acids.

Screening Test

Tandem mass spectrometry to measure octanoylcarnitine, a product of fatty acid metabolism that accumulates if the MCAD enzyme is deficient. 

Etiology & Prevalence

Genetic (autosomal recessive) 

About one in every 20,000 babies in the United States is born with MCAD deficiency.

If Untreated

Variable expression, however, fasting or infection can trigger acute episodes of hypoglycemia leading to rapid crisis or death (30% mortality following first episode). Up to 5% of deaths attributed to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome may in fact be caused by undiagnosed MCAD deficiency.

Therapy

Avoidance of fasting with special care during illness, reduction of dietary fat.

With Treatment

Crisis episodes avoided, no apparent consequences.





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Washington State Department of Health
Newborn Screening Program
1610 NE 150th Street NE
Shoreline, Washington, 98155

Last Update : 05/21/2009 06:37 PM
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