Successful management of a neonate with OTC deficiency presenting with hyperammonemia and severe cardiac dysfunction with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support and continuous renal replacement therapy

Abstract

Ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency is an X-linked urea cycle disorder which—in severe form—results in rapid accumulation of ammonia and glutamine with subsequent irreversible brain injury. We present a case of severe left ventricular dysfunction with hyperammonemic crisis caused by OTC deficiency which was managed with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support combined with continuous renal replacement therapy. Aggressive treatment led to normalization of ammonia and full left ventricular recovery.