42. Homocystinuria
Definition
Homocystinuria is an autosomal recessive disorder of methionine metabolism that produces an abnormal accumulation of homocystine, homocysteine-cysteine complex, and other metabolites in the blood and urine.
Incidence
The incidence of homocystinuria is variable, with reports between 1:50,000 to 1:200,000.
Etiology
Homocystinuria is an autosomal recessive inherited defect in either the transsulfuration pathway or methylation pathway, producing deficiencies of cystathionine beta-synthase enzyme, defective methylcobalamin synthesis, or an abnormality of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase.
Signs and Symptoms
• Ectopia lentis
• Genu valgum
• Kyphoscoliosis
• Kyphosis
• Marfanoid habitus
• Mental retardation
• Osteoporosis
• Pes carinatum