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Betaine in the treatment of homocystinuria due to 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency

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Abstract

In a 3-year-old mentally retarded girl with homocystinuria due to 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency among different therapeutic approaches only treatment with betaine (15–20 g/day) resulted in a satisfactory biochemical response. Betaine improved homocysteine remethylation and thus lowered plasma homocystine to trace amounts and normalized the previously very low plasma methionine concentration. This biochemical response was associated with a clinical improvement although she remained mentally retarded.

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  1. University Children's Hospital C, University of Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, D-4000, Düsseldorf, FRG

    U. Wendel & H. J. Bremer

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  1. U. Wendel
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  2. H. J. Bremer
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Wendel, U., Bremer, H.J. Betaine in the treatment of homocystinuria due to 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency. Eur J Pediatr 142, 147–150 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00445602

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00445602

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