Cardiomyopathy and hypotonia in a 5-month-old infant with malonyl-coa decarboxylase deficiency: potential for preclinical diagnosis with expanded newborn screening

Pediatr Cardiol. 2005 Nov-Dec;26(6):881-3. doi: 10.1007/s00246-005-1045-x.

Abstract

Malonyl-CoA decarboxylase deficiency is an inborn error of metabolism that may cause hypotonia and a fatal cardiomyopathy in infancy. Newborn metabolic screening programs do not include this disorder, although there is a possibility that presymptomatic treatment may attenuate the development of cardiomyopathy. We report a case of malonyl-CoA decarboxylase deficiency in a 5-month-old boy who presented with cardiomyopathy and hypotonia. Retrospective analysis of the newborn screening test showed an elevation in the concentration of malonylcarnitine at age 3 days. Unfortunately, this perturbation was missed because the screening test did not routinely measure malonylcarnitine in the newborn blood. Our experience confirms the possibility of screening for malonyl-CoA decarboxylase deficiency with tandem mass spectrometry. This finding should enable studies to determine if presymptomatic treatment could change the outcome in this often fatal disorder.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Captopril / therapeutic use
  • Carboxy-Lyases / deficiency*
  • Cardiomyopathies / diagnosis*
  • Cardiomyopathies / diet therapy
  • Cardiotonic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Carnitine / blood
  • Carnitine / therapeutic use
  • Digoxin / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Metabolism, Inborn Errors / blood
  • Metabolism, Inborn Errors / diagnosis*
  • Muscle Hypotonia / diagnosis*
  • Muscle Hypotonia / drug therapy
  • Neonatal Screening*

Substances

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Cardiotonic Agents
  • Digoxin
  • Captopril
  • Carboxy-Lyases
  • malonyl-CoA decarboxylase
  • Carnitine