Case Report: A Case of Late-Onset Combined Methylmalonic Acidemia and Hyperhomocysteinemia Induced by a Vegetarian Diet

Abstract

Methylmalonic acidemia is a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disease. However, because of the atypical clinical symptoms, the type of late-onset methylmalonic academia is often misdiagnosed. Especially when the blood vitamin B12 and folic acid levels are normal, it is not easy to think of this disease. Herein we report a 9-year-old girl who developed normally on a relatively balanced diet before 7 years of age. However, she presented with fatigue and attention deficit when she followed a vegetarian diet. Laboratory examination showed moderate macrocytic anemia, high levels of homocysteine, high level of propionylcarnitine/acetylcarnitine, urinary methylmalonic acid and methyl citrate. Gene mutation analysis showed c.609G > A and c.80A > G compound heterozygous mutations in the MMACHC gene, supported late-onset combined methylmalonic academia with homocysteinemia. Then treatment performed with add meat to the diet, vitamin B12, folic acid betaine and L-carnitine supplement. One week later, the child's clinical symptoms and the laboratory examinations were significantly improved.