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Carnitine Membrane Transporter Deficiency: A Rare Treatable Cause of Cardiomyopathy and Anemia

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Abstract

Carnitine transporter defect is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the SLC22A5 gene that encodes the high-affinity carnitine transporter OCTN2. Affected patients can present with predominant metabolic or cardiac manifestations. Early recognition of this disorder in a context of life-threatening cardiac failure and treatment with carnitine can be lifesaving in this inborn error of fatty acid oxidation. Here we describe a boy with a severe cardiomyopathy and severe anemia who improved with carnitine therapy. Physiopathology of anemia, a probably less recognized symptom of carnitine deficiency, is also discussed.

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Correspondence to Aline Cano.

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Cano, A., Ovaert, C., Vianey-Saban, C. et al. Carnitine Membrane Transporter Deficiency: A Rare Treatable Cause of Cardiomyopathy and Anemia. Pediatr Cardiol 29, 163–165 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-007-9051-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-007-9051-9

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