Updated: Jul 7, 2008
Oberholzer et al and Stokke et al reported the first patients with methylmalonic acidemia (MMA).1,2 Clinical and genetic heterogeneity became evident very early when some patients responded to pharmacological doses of cobalamin (vitamin B-12) and others did not.
MMA encompasses a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by accumulation of methylmalonic acid and its by-products in biological fluids. These disorders are due to a deficiency of the adenosylcobalamin-dependent enzyme methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (apoenzyme deficiency), a defect in intracellular cobalamin metabolism (coenzyme deficiency), transcobalamin II deficiency, intrinsic factor deficiency, or dietary cobalamin deficiency, which is found in vegetarians. A subset of children with defects of intracellular cobalamin metabolism may also have simultaneous homocystinuria. In addition, transient MMA can be detected in otherwise healthy infants.
In the context of this review, MMA refers to disorders resulting in methylmalonyl-CoA mutase deficiency and disorders of intracellular cobalamin metabolism.
Adenosylcobalamin-dependent methylmalonyl-CoA mutase is an enzyme that catalyses the isomerization of methylmalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA. Succinyl-CoA subsequently enters the tricarboxylic acid cycle, where it is converted to pyruvate. Methylmalonyl-CoA is derived from propionyl-CoA by the action of propionyl-CoA carboxylase, the enzyme that is deficient in patients with propionic acidemia (see Propionic Acidemia). Propionyl-CoA is formed through the catabolism of isoleucine, valine, threonine, methionine, thymine, uracil, cholesterol, or odd-chain fatty acids. Gut bacteria may generate a significant amount of propionyl-CoA.
Methylmalonyl-CoA mutase is a dimer of identical subunits to which adenosylcobalamin is tightly bound. The complimentary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase has been cloned and its genomic structure delineated. The gene is mapped to 6p12. Mutations in this gene have been reported to cause MMA. Adenosylcobalamin is an essential cofactor of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase.
Complementation studies revealed the presence of at least 8 different complementation groups (mut0, mut-, cblA, cblB, cblC, cblD, cblF, cblH) that cause MMA. In the mut0 group, mutase activity in fibroblasts is undetectable, whereas fibroblasts of the mut- group show some residual mutase activity. CblA, cblB, and cblH are defects in the pathway of adenosylcobalamin synthesis. CblC and cblD are defects in the common pathway of cobalamin reduction, leading to combined MMA and homocystinuria, secondary to impaired adenosylcobalamin and methylcobalamin formation. CblF is caused by impaired lysosomal cobalamin transport.
The molecular basis for all complementation groups, except for cblF and cblH, is not presently known. The gene for cblC has been recently identified. All genetic forms of MMA are inherited as autosomal recessive traits.
Screening of infants aged 3-4 weeks in Massachusetts revealed an approximate frequency for MMA of 1 case per 48,000 infants.3
Newborn screening programs in Germany and Austria have identified approximately 1 newborn with MMA (mutase deficiency) per 250,000 newborns screened. MMA is more frequent in populations with increased rates of consanguinity.
All children with genetic forms of MMA are at risk of metabolic decompensation with increased morbidity and mortality. The risk is greater for mut0 and mut- forms of MMA compared with cobalamin-responsive forms. Newborns and infants with mut0 or mut- forms of MMA may die early, before a diagnosis can be reached.
MMA is prevalent in populations with increased rates of consanguinity but has been reported in all ethnic groups.
No sex predilection is reported.
The mut0 and mut- forms of MMA typically present during the newborn period and early infancy, respectively.
CblA, cblB, cblC, and cblH forms of MMA typically present during early infancy. MMA forms CblD and cblF typically present during later infancy or childhood. The cblC form of MMA may present during childhood or adolescence.
Theoretically, neonatal screening via tandem mass spectrometry should reveal all genetic forms of MMA. Some reports have shown that this may not be true for some forms of MMA, such as cblC.4
A history of poor feeding, vomiting, progressive lethargy, floppiness, and muscular hypotonia in a newborn who has been healthy for the first 1-2 weeks of life is typical for methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) mut0 or MMA mut-. These newborns typically have been fed for 1-2 weeks or less.
Older infants or children with one of the other forms of MMA or mild mut- may present for the first time during an episode of decompensation with lethargy, seizures, and hypoglycemia.
Older children or adolescents with the cblC form of MMA may present with progressive myopathy, lower leg hyposensitivity, and thrombosis due to the persistent homocystinuria in the cblC form of MMA. The myopathy may not be reversible despite treatment, leading to continued gait disturbances.
Eye findings (eg, retinopathy, nystagmus, reduced visual acuity), hydrocephalus, and microcephaly have been observed in children with the cblC form of MMA.
Renal disease with reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) may be observed at presentation or as a long-term complication.
Family history may be positive for siblings with MMA or siblings who died during the neonatal period for reasons that are not clear.
Symptoms include the following:
Acidosis, Metabolic
Maple Syrup Urine Disease
Propionic Acidemia (Propionyl CoA Carboxylase
Deficiency)
Urea cycle defects
The reference ranges mentioned below may vary depending on the analytical method used.
Infants and children with methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) are at increased risk for metabolic decompensation particularly during episodes of increased catabolism (eg, intercurrent infections, trauma, surgery, psychosocial stress). During these episodes, provide treatment that is swift and directed towards reversing catabolism and promoting anabolism.
Several liver and kidney transplantations in infants and children with MMA mut0 have been reported.
In patients with cobalamin-responsive methylmalonic acidemia (MMA), cobalamin therapy significantly improves methylmalonyl-CoA mutase activity, to the extent that metabolic control becomes easier and the risk of complications is reduced. Patients with MMA are treated with L-carnitine to remove excess toxic acylcarnitine species from the mitochondria. This detoxification is particularly important at diagnosis and during episodes of metabolic decompensation. If necessary, doses can be increased and/or administered by a parenteral route. Additional nonspecific therapy with betaine and folate potentially reduces plasma homocysteine levels.
DOC in France and Scandinavia. Hydroxocobalamin (vitamin B-12a) is an analog of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B-12). It is more highly protein bound and is retained in the body longer than cyanocobalamin. Combines with cyanide to form nontoxic cyanocobalamin (vitamin B-12). Patients with MMA potentially are responsive to cobalamin. Once patients are diagnosed, administer 1 mg/d hydroxocobalamin IM until complementation analysis confirms the definitive diagnosis.
Hydroxocobalamin: 1-3 mg/d IM
Cyanocobalamin: 1 mg PO qd
Administer as in adults; a trial of cyanocobalamin PO can be undertaken provided the patient is metabolically stable; after switching to cyanocobalamin PO, closely monitor plasma MMA and/or homocysteine levels; restart hydroxocobalamin IM if no response is demonstrated or biochemical deterioration is noted
Decreased absorption of cyanocobalamin from GI tract with coadministration of aminoglycosides, colchicine, extended release potassium products, aminosalicylic acid, phenytoin, and phenobarbital; chemical degradation of cyanocobalamin creates large amounts of ascorbic acid
Documented hypersensitivity; hereditary optic nerve atrophy
A - Fetal risk not revealed in controlled studies in humans
Severe hypokalemia may result in vitamin B-12–megaloblastic anemia (may be fatal) due to increased cellular potassium requirements when anemia corrects; transient (4-5 d) red discoloration of mucous membranes, plasma, and urine may develop
An amino acid derivative, synthesized from methionine and lysine, required in energy metabolism. Modulates intracellular coenzyme A homeostasis and is required to buffer toxic acyl-CoA compounds within the mitochondria.
100-300 mg/kg/d PO/IV divided tid
Administer as in adults
None reported
Documented hypersensitivity
B - Fetal risk not confirmed in studies in humans but has been shown in some studies in animals
Monitor blood chemistries, plasma carnitine concentrations, vital signs, and overall clinical condition of the patient; nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea may develop
Important cofactor for enzymes used in production of red blood cells.
1 mg/d PO/IM/SC qd initially; 0.5 mg/d maintenance
Infants: 15 mcg/kg/d PO/IV (50 mcg/d)
Children: 1 mg/d PO/IM/SC qd initially; 0.1-0.3 mg/d maintenance
Increase in seizure frequency and a decrease in subtherapeutic levels of phenytoin reported when used concurrently
Documented hypersensitivity
A - Fetal risk not revealed in controlled studies in humans
Pregnancy category C if dose exceeds RDA; benzyl alcohol present in some products as preservative; has been associated with fatal gasping syndrome in premature infants; resistance to treatment may develop in patients with alcoholism and deficiencies of other vitamins
Methyl group donor in remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. It is available as an orphan drug in the United States.
250 mg/kg/d PO divided bid
<3 years: 100 mg/kg/d PO divided bid
>3 years: Administer as in adults
None reported
Documented hypersensitivity
C - Fetal risk revealed in studies in animals but not established or not studied in humans; may use if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
May cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and gastric distress
Empiric antimicrobial therapy must be comprehensive and should cover all likely pathogens in the context of the clinical setting.
Treatment of susceptible bacteria in the lower GI tract reduces propionate production. Propionate is an important precursor of methylmalonic acid. Limited trial (1-2 mo) is warranted when metabolic control is difficult with carnitine, cobalamin, and dietary therapy.
250-500 mg PO q8h
10-20 mg/kg/d PO divided q8h
Cimetidine may increase toxicity of metronidazole; may increase effects of anticoagulants; may increase toxicity of lithium and phenytoin; disulfiramlike reaction may occur with PO-ingested ethanol
Documented hypersensitivity; first trimester of pregnancy
C - Fetal risk revealed in studies in animals but not established or not studied in humans; may use if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
Do not use in first trimester of pregnancy; adjust dose in hepatic disease; monitor for seizures and development of peripheral neuropathy
Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis and growth.
Adults: 500-2000 mg PO q6-8h
50 mg/kg PO divided tid
Coadministration with other aminoglycosides, penicillins, cephalosporins, and amphotericin B increases nephrotoxicity; enhances effects of neuromuscular blocking agents; causes respiratory depression; irreversible hearing loss may develop with coadministration of loop diuretics
Documented hypersensitivity; intestinal obstruction
D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
Not intended for long-term therapy; caution in patients with renal failure (not on dialysis), hypocalcemia, myasthenia gravis, and conditions that depress neuromuscular transmission
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methylmalonic acidemia, MMA, methylmalonic aciduria, methylmalonic acid, propionic acidemia, lethargy, hypoglycemia, seizures, progressive myopathy, lower leg hyposensitivity, thrombosis, retinopathy, nystagmus, reduced visual acuity, hydrocephalus, microcephaly, dehydration, failure to thrive, developmental delay, choreoathetosis, dystonia, dysphagia, dysarthria
Olaf A Bodamer, MD, PhD, FACMG, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Biochemical Genetics and Neonatal Screening Laboratories, University of Vienna Children's Hospital, Austria
Olaf A Bodamer, MD, PhD, FACMG is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Human Genetics
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Brendan Lee, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine
Brendan Lee, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Medical Genetics, and Society for Pediatric Research
Disclosure: Hyperion Grant/research funds clinical research
Christian J Renner, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Erlangen, Germany
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine.com, Inc
Disclosure: Pfizer Inc Stock Investment from broker recommendation; Avanir Pharma Stock Investment from broker recommendation
Leonard G Feld, MD, PhD, MMM, Chairman of Pediatrics, Carolinas Medical Center; Chief Medical Officer, Levine Children's Hospital, Carolinas Healthcare System
Leonard G Feld, MD, PhD, MMM is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physician Executives, American Society of Nephrology, American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, International Society of Nephrology, and Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Paul D Petry, DO, FACOP, FAAP, Consulting Staff, Freeman Pediatric Care, Freeman Health System
Paul D Petry, DO, FACOP, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Osteopathy, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, and American Osteopathic Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Bruce Buehler, MD, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Pathology and Microbiology, Executive Director, Hattie B Munroe Center for Human Genetics and Rehabilitation, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Bruce Buehler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association on Mental Retardation, American College of Medical Genetics, American College of Physician Executives, American Medical Association, and Nebraska Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
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