OROTIC ACIDURIA

 

OROTIC ACIDURIA

 

DEFINITION:

An inborn error of pyrimidine metabolism characterized by an enzyme deficiency resulting in hematological and neurological manifestations.

EPIDEMIOLOGY:

  • incidence: rare
  • age of onset:
    • childhood
  • risk factors:
    • familial - autosomal recessive
      • chrom.#: 3 cen-q21
      • gene: uridine 5'-monophosphate (UMP) synthetase
    • M = F

PATHOGENESIS:

1. UMP Synthetase

  • a bifunctional enzyme with orotidylic acid pyrophosphorylase (OMP-PP) and orotidylic acid decarboxylase (OMP-DC) activities
  • orotic acid is an intermediate compound in the synthesis of pyrimidines

2. Genetic Defect

  • genetic defect -> deficiency of OMP-PP and/or OMP-DC activities
  • accumulation of orotic acid plus interference with RNA and DNA synthesis -> hematological manifestations as vigorous synthesis of RNA and DNA is necessary for normal hematopoiesis
  • two clinical types:
  • Type I - deficiency of the OMP-PP portion of UMP synthetase
  • Type II- deficiency of the OMP-DC portion of UMP synthetase

CLINICAL FEATURES:

1. Hematological Manifestations

  • megaloblastic anemia unresponsive to vitamin C, B12, or folic acid

2. Neurological Manifestations

  • growth retardation
  • mental retardation

INVESTIGATIONS:

1. Diagnostic

  • deficiency of orotidylic acid pyrophosphorylase and/or decarboxylase activities in leukocytes, erythrocytes, hepatic cells and cultured skin fibroblasts
  • prenatal - ?

2. Serum

  • megaloblastic anemia

3. Urine

  • excessive excretion of orotic acid (up to 1.5 g/day)
  • crystalluria

MANAGEMENT:

1. Supportive

  • no treatment for underlying disorder
  • multidisciplinary approach
    • Paediatrics, Hematology
    • genetic counselling

2. Medical

1. Pyrimidine Compounds

  • lower the urinary excretion of orotic acid and increase
  • DNA and RNA synthesis
  • oral uridine therapy

2. Corticosteroids

 

 

 

Pediatric Database - OROTIC ACIDURIA

Pediatric Organization - Pedbase [at] Gmail.com