Leucinosis, or maple syrup urine disease (lecture and a clinical case)

Maple syrup urine disease (leucinosis, short-chain ketoaciduria, branched-chain disease, branched-chain ketonuria) is an autosomal recessive disorder which is a consequence of the deficient branched-chain alpha ketoacid dehydrogenase complex. There are five subtypes of the disease: classical, intermediate, intermittent, thiamine-dependent and E3-deficient. Leucinosis is characterized by high plasma levels of branched-chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine and valine) and high urine levels of branched-chain ketoacids, as well as of lactate and pyruvate. Tandem mass spectrometry can be used as a screening method in newborns. Mild disease cannot be identified at screening. The diagnosis should be based on tandem mass spectrometry of a blood sample and aminoacid analysis by gas chromatography of a urine sample. Prenatal diagnosis requires molecular genetic tests. Treatment of maple syrup urine disease is aimed at normalization of plasma branched-chain amino acids levels and includes two main components, namely, life-long diet therapy and active treatment of acute metabolic deterioration episodes. A favorable course of the disease is possible only with early (pre-symptomatic) initiation of treatment. The development of cognitive functions depends on plasma leucine levels. We present a clinical case of delayed diagnosis of leucinosis, despite its early clinical manifestation, leading to irreversible consequences for the patient.