Skip to main content
Log in

Ornithine carbamoyl transferase deficiency: A neuropathological study

  • Original Investigations
  • Published:
European Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A detailed autopsy study of three children with ornithine carbamoyl transferase (OCT) deficiency is presented. Although variable in extent, a basic pattern of neuropathological lesions is discernible. Case 1 shows gross cerebral atrophy, cases 2 and 3 milder lesions in the basal nuclei but also multiple cerebellar heterotopias and delayed myelination. We suggest that the findings may provide evidence that OCT deficiency can have a teratogenic effect in utero and suggest that there is a need to monitor the pregnancies of carriers of this disorder.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Altman J, Bayer SA (1978) Prenatal development of the cerebellar system in the rat 1. Cytogenesis and histogenesis of the deep nuclei and the cortex of the cerebellum. J Comp Neurol 179:23–48

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bruton CJ, Corsellis JAN, Russell A (1970) Hereditary hyperammonaemia. Brain 93:423–434

    Google Scholar 

  3. Campbell AGM, Rosenberg LE, Snodgrass PJ, Nuzum CT (1973) Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency. A cause of lethal neonatal hyperammonaemia in males. New Engl J Med 285:1–6

    Google Scholar 

  4. Cavanagh JB, Kyu MH (1971) Type II Alzheimer change experimentally produced in astrocytes in the rat. J Neurol Sci 12:63–75

    Google Scholar 

  5. Daniel PM, Spicer EJF, Treip CS (1973) Pituitary necrosis in patients maintained on mechanical respirators. J Pathol 111:135–138

    Google Scholar 

  6. Donn SM, Swartz RD, Thoene JG (1979) Comparison of exchange transfusion peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis for the treatment of hyperammonaemia in an anuric newborn infant. J Paediatr 95:67–70

    Google Scholar 

  7. Ebels EJ (1972) Neuropathological observations in a patient with carbamyl phosphate-synthetase deficiency and in two sibs. Arch Dis Child 47:47–51

    Google Scholar 

  8. Erdohazi M, Barnes ND, Robinson MJ, Lake BD (1976) Cerebral malformation associated with metabolic disorder. Acta Neuropath (Berl) 36:315–325

    Google Scholar 

  9. Gelehrter TD, Rosenberg LE (1975) Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency. Unsuccessful therapy of neonatal hyperammonaemia with N-carbamyl-L-glutamate andL-arginine. New Engl J Med 212:351–352

    Google Scholar 

  10. Gibson GE, Zimber A, Krook L, Richardson EP, Visek WJ (1974) Brain histology and behaviour of mice injected with unrease. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 33:201–211

    Google Scholar 

  11. Haan EA, Danks DM, Grimes A, Hoogenraad NJ (1982) Carrier detection in ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency. J Inherited Metab Dis 5:37–40

    Google Scholar 

  12. Harris ML, Oberholzer VG (1980) Conditions affecting the colorimetry of orotic acid and orotidine in urine. Clin Chem 26:473–479

    Google Scholar 

  13. Kendall BE, Kingsley DPE, Leonard JV, Lingham S, Oberholzer VG (1983) Neurological features and computed tomography of the brain in children with ornithine carbamoyl transferase deficiency. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 46:28–34

    Google Scholar 

  14. Kreiger I, Snodgrass PJ, Roskamp, J (1979) Atypical clinical course of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency due to a new mutant (comparison with Reye's disease). J Clin Endocrinol Metab 48: 388–392

    Google Scholar 

  15. Larroche J-C (1977) Developmental pathology of the neonate. Excerpta Medica, Amsterdam, p 498

    Google Scholar 

  16. Levin B, Dobbs RH, Burgess AE, Palmer T, (1969) Hyperammonaemia. A variant type of deficiency of liver ornithine transcarbamylase. Arch Dis Child 44:162–169

    Google Scholar 

  17. MacLeod P, Mackenzie S, Scriver CR (1972) Partial ornithine carbamyl transferase deficiency: an inborn error of the urea cycle presenting as orotic aciduria in a male infant. Can Med Assoc J 107:405

    Google Scholar 

  18. McReynolds JW, Mantagos S, Brusilow S, Rosenberg LE (1978) Treatment of complete omithine transcarbamylase deficiency with nitrogen-free analogues of essential amino acids. J Paediatr 93:421–427

    Google Scholar 

  19. Norenberg MD, Lapham LW, Nichols FA, May AG (1974) An experimental model for the study of hepatic encephalopathy. Arch Neurol 31:106–109

    Google Scholar 

  20. Rorke LB, Fogelson MH, Riggs HE (1968) Cerebellar heteropia in infancy. Dev Med Child Neurol 10:644–650

    Google Scholar 

  21. Short EM, Conn HO, Snodgrass PJ, Campbell AGM, Rosenberg LE (1973) Evidence for X-linked dominant inheritance of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency. New Engl J Med 288:7–12

    Google Scholar 

  22. Victor M, Adams RD, Cole M (1965) The acquired (non-Wilsonian) type of chronic hepatocerebral degeneration. Medicine 44: 345–396

    Google Scholar 

  23. Wiegand C, Thompson T, Bock GH, Mathis RK, Kjellstrand CM, Maver SM (1980) The management of life-threatening hyperammonaemia: A comparison of several therapeutic modalities. J Pediatr 96:142–144

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Harding, B.N., Leonard, J.V. & Erdohazi, M. Ornithine carbamoyl transferase deficiency: A neuropathological study. Eur J Pediatr 141, 215–220 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00572763

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00572763

Key words

Navigation