[Hyperglycinemia in clinical-laboratory practice]

Pediatr Med Chir. 1997 Mar-Apr;19(2):109-12.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

Hyperglycinemia is a non rarely observed biochemical finding which can be caused by a primary defect of the glycine cleavage system (nonketotic hyperglycinemia) or by an enzymatic block due to toxic metabolites (ketotic hyperglycinemia in organic acidurias) or to specific drugs (such as sodium valproate). The Authors report their clinical and laboratory experience in the diagnosis of different forms of hyperglycinemia. Three patients with nonketotic hyperglycinemia (1 patient with transient neonatal form, 1 with the classic neonatal form, and 1 with late onset form), 6 patients with ketotic hyperglycinemia (1 propionic acidemia, 5 methylmalonic acidurias), and 8 patients with hyperglycinemia during sodium valproate treatment are described. In this study the diagnostic iter and the importance of a precise diagnosis of the hyperglycinemia for the appropriate treatment are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors / diagnosis
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • GABA Agents / adverse effects
  • Glycine / blood*
  • Glycine / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Methylmalonic Acid / blood
  • Methylmalonic Acid / metabolism
  • Methylmalonic Acid / urine
  • Propionates / blood
  • Valproic Acid / adverse effects

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • GABA Agents
  • Propionates
  • Valproic Acid
  • Methylmalonic Acid
  • propionic acid
  • Glycine