Summary of Amino acid disorders with easy recall mnemonics

 

Disorder Defective Enzyme/Transporter Clinical Picture Mnemonic
Phenylketonuria (PKU) Phenylalanine hydroxylase Musty body odor, intellectual disability, seizures, pale skin, eczema Pale kids with Krappy Urine
Alkaptonuria Homogentisic acid oxidase Black urine, ochronosis (bluish-black pigmentation in connective tissues), arthritis Black CAP: Cartilage, Arthritis, Pigmentation
Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) Branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase Sweet-smelling urine, poor feeding, vomiting, lethargy, developmental delays I LoVe Maple Syrup: Isoleucine, Leucine, Valine
Homocystinuria Cystathionine β-synthase Lens dislocation, marfanoid habitus, intellectual disability, thromboembolism HOMOCY: Homocysteine in urine, Osteoporosis, Marfanoid, Ocular issues, CV risk, Younger thrombus
Tyrosinemia Type I Fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase Liver and kidney failure, cabbage-like odor, failure to thrive Tyrosine in liver is toxic
Cystinuria Defective renal reabsorption of cystine Recurrent kidney stones (cystine crystals) COLA: Cystine, Ornithine, Lysine, Arginine
Argininosuccinic Aciduria Argininosuccinate lyase Hyperammonemia, lethargy, seizures, growth delays Arginine Stops (succinate) ammonia buildup
Ornithine Transcarbamylase (OTC) Deficiency Ornithine transcarbamylase Hyperammonemia, orotic acid in urine, lethargy, vomiting, confusion OTC: Orotic acid, Toxic ammonia, Confusion
Hartnup Disease Defective neutral amino acid transporter Photosensitivity, ataxia, rash resembling pellagra (niacin deficiency due to tryptophan loss) HART: High-light sensitive, Ataxia, Rash, Tryptophan loss
Primary Hyperoxaluria Glyoxylate aminotransferase Recurrent calcium oxalate kidney stones, renal failure, systemic oxalosis OX: Excess oxalate leads to Systemic Oxalosis
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