Medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency
Other Names for this Disease
- MCAD deficiency
- Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase medium chain deficiency of
- MCADH deficiency
- ACADM deficiency
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Mutations in the ACADM gene cause medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency. Mutations in the ACADM gene lead to inadequate levels of an enzyme called medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase. Without sufficient amounts of this enzyme, medium-chain fatty acids from food and fats stored in the body are not metabolized properly. As a result, these fats are not converted to energy, which can lead to characteristic signs and symptoms of this disorder such as lethargy and low blood sugar. Medium-chain fatty acids or partially metabolized fatty acids may accumulate in tissues and can damage the liver and brain, causing serious complications.
Last updated: 2/4/2011
- Medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency. Genetics Home Reference (GHR). 2009; http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=mediumchainacylcoenzymeadehydrogenasedeficiency. Accessed 2/4/2011.