Carnitine deficiency: a possible cause of gastrointestinal dysmotility

Acta Paediatr. 1992 Jan;81(1):79-81. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1992.tb12085.x.

Abstract

An infant with delayed development and peripheral myopathy, nourished on a soy-based liquid diet deficient in carnitine, had gastrointestinal dysmotility manifested by postprandial vomiting, oral drooling, delayed gastric emptying and infrequent bowel movements. Oesophageal manometry showed a reduced lower oesophageal sphincter pressure for age with abnormal distal motility. Serum carnitine concentration was 9.9 mumol l-1. After dietary supplementation of carnitine the gastrointestinal symptoms resolved, oesophageal manometry returned to normal, and serum carnitine increased to 37.2 mumol l-1. Dietary carnitine deficiency in infancy may be a cause of smooth muscle dysmotility of the gastrointestinal tract.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bottle Feeding
  • Carnitine / deficiency*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Constipation / etiology
  • Constipation / physiopathology
  • Developmental Disabilities / etiology
  • Food, Fortified
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / etiology*
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / physiopathology
  • Gastrointestinal Motility
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Muscle, Smooth / physiopathology
  • Sialorrhea / etiology

Substances

  • Carnitine