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- Title
Hyperammonaemia as a cause of psychosis in an adolescent.
- Authors
Bélanger-Quintana, Amaya; Martínez-Pardo, Mercedes; Pallarés, Esperanza; García;, María José; Ugarte, Magdalena; Wermuth, Benedict; Torres, Julián; Bélanger-Quintana, Amaya; Martínez-Pardo, Mercedes; García, María José; Wermuth, Bendicht; Torres, Julián; Pallarés, Esperanza
- Abstract
<bold>Unlabelled: </bold>Diseases that cause hyperammonaemia usually appear during the neonatal period or during the first months of life as severe neurological metabolic distress. In some cases, as the one reported here, the age of onset and initial symptoms are non-specific and the episodes of acute metabolic encephalopathy may be attributed to encephalitis, poisoning or psychiatric problems. Our patient had N-acetyl glutamate synthetase deficiency due to a lack of activation by L-arginine. Treatment with N-carbamylglutamate was successful in maintaining normal ammonia levels.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>We emphasise the importance of measuring ammonia levels in patients with neurological or psychiatric symptoms as part of their diagnostic work-up.
- Subjects
NEONATAL infections; ENCEPHALITIS; BRAIN diseases; PSYCHIATRIC nursing; PHYSIOLOGICAL effects of ammonia; GLUTAMINE synthetase; ARGININE
- Publication
European Journal of Pediatrics, 2003, Vol 162, Issue 11, p773
- ISSN
0340-6199
- Publication type
journal article