Ornithine Transcarbamylase Deficiency

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Ornithine Transcarbamylase Deficiency is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Hyperammonemia Type II
Ornithine Carbamyl Transferase Deficiency
OTC Deficiency
Hyperammonemia due to Ornithine Transcarbamylase Deficiency

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency is a rare genetic disorder characterized by complete or partial lack of the enzyme ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC). OTC is one of six enzymes that play a role in the break down and removal of nitrogen the body, a process known as the urea cycle. The lack of the OTC enzyme results in excessive accumulation of nitrogen, in the form of ammonia (hyperammonemia), in the blood. Excess ammonia, which is a neurotoxin, travels to the central nervous system through the blood, resulting in the symptoms and physical findings associated with OTC deficiency. Symptoms include vomiting, refusal to eat, progressive lethargy, and coma. OTC deficiency is inherited as an X-linked recessive trait.

The urea cycle disorders are a group of rare disorders affecting the urea cycle, a series of biochemical processes in which nitrogen is converted into urea and removed from the body through the urine. Nitrogen is a waste product of protein metabolism. Failure to break down nitrogen results in the abnormal accumulation of nitrogen, in the form of ammonia, in the blood.

Resources

CLIMB (Children Living with Inherited Metabolic Diseases)
Climb Building
176 Nantwich Road
Crewe, Intl CW2 6BG
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 870 7700 325
Fax: +44 870 7700 327
Email: info@climb.org.uk
Internet: http://www.CLIMB.org.uk

National Urea Cycle Disorders Foundation
4841 Hill Street
La Canada, CA 91011
Tel: (818)790-2460
Fax: (818)952-2184
Tel: (800)386-8233
Email: info@nucdf.org
Internet: http://www.nucdf.org

National Kidney Foundation
30 East 33rd Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212)889-2210
Fax: (212)689-9261
Tel: (800)622-9010
Email: info@kidney.org
Internet: http://www.kidney.org

Organic Acidaemias UK
5 Saxon Road
Ashford
Middlesex, Intl TW15 1QL
United Kingdom
Tel: 44-1784-245989
Email: davidpriddy@bigfoot.com

NIH/National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
2 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3570
Tel: (301)654-3810
Fax: (301)907-8906
Tel: (800)891-5389
Email: nddic@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.niddk.nih.gov

Belgian Association for Metabolic Diseases (BOKS)
Alice Nahonlann 7
Melsele, 9120
Belgium
Tel: 3237754839
Email: info@boks.be
Internet: http://www.boks.be

For a Complete Report:

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The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 3/31/2008
Copyright 1986, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1996, 2001 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders

Last Updated: March 31, 2008

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