Tyrosinemia is a disorder of amino acid metabolism that is caused by a lack of the enzyme needed to metabolize tyrosine. The most common form of this disorder mostly affects the liver and the kidneys. Tyrosinemia occurs when parents pass on to their children a defective gene that causes this disorder.
Tyrosinemia is caused by a lack of the enzyme needed to metabolize the amino acid tyrosine.
Symptoms include intellectual disability, liver and kidney disease, and body fluids that smell like boiled cabbage.
The diagnosis is based on a blood test.
A special diet and sometimes medications may help some children.
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and have many functions in the body. The body makes some of the amino acids it needs and gets others from food.
Children with tyrosinemia are unable to completely break down (metabolize) the amino acid tyrosine. By-products of this amino acid build up, causing a variety of symptoms. These by-products also cause body fluids, such as urine and sweat, to smell like boiled cabbage.
There are different types of inherited disorders. In tyrosinemia, both parents of the affected child carry 1 copy of the abnormal gene. Because usually 2 copies of the abnormal (recessive) gene are necessary for the disorder to occur, usually neither parent has the disorder. (See also Overview of Hereditary Metabolic Disorders.)
In some states in the United States, the disorder is detected with newborn screening tests.
There are 2 main types of tyrosinemia and a third, rare form:
Type I
Type II
Type III (rare)
Type I tyrosinemia
Type I tyrosinemia is most common among children of French-Canadian or Scandinavian descent.
Newborns may have liver failure. Older infants and children have dysfunction of the liver, kidneys, and nerves, resulting in irritability, rickets, or even liver failure and death.
Every state in the United States requires all newborns be screened for type I tyrosinemia with a blood test. To confirm the diagnosis, genetic testing or other tests of the blood and urine and a biopsy of the liver are done.
Type II tyrosinemia
Type II tyrosinemia is less common. Affected children sometimes have intellectual disability and frequently develop sores on the skin and eyes.
Diagnosis of type II tyrosinemia is with a blood test and genetic testing. Other tests of the blood and urine and a biopsy of the liver may be done.
Treatment of type II tyrosinemia is by restricting tyrosine and phenylalanine in the diet.
Type III tyrosinemia
Type III tyrosinemia is very rare. Mild intellectual disability, seizures, and periodic loss of balance and coordination are the most common symptoms.
Diagnosis of type III tyrosinemia is with a newborn blood screening test. Urine and blood tests may also be done if the screening is abnormal.
Treatment of type III tyrosinemia is by restricting tyrosine and phenylalanine in the diet.
More Information
The following English-language resources may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of these resources.
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD): This resource provides information to parents and families about rare diseases, including a list of rare diseases, support groups, and clinical trial resources.
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD): This resource provides and easy to understand information about rare or genetic diseases.
