Medicine & USMLE

MCAD Deficiency

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Metabolic Disorders
  1. Albinism
  2. Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Deficiency
  3. Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency
  4. G6PD Deficiency
  5. Essential Fructosuria
  6. Hereditary Fructose Intolerance
  7. Galactosemia
  8. Galactokinase Deficiency
  9. Lactase Deficiency
  10. Ornithine Transcarbamylase Deficiency
  11. Phenylketonuria (PKU)
  12. Maple Syrup Urine Disease
  13. Alkaptonuria
  14. Homocystinuria
  15. Cystinuria
  16. Propionic Acidemia
  17. Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome
  18. Systemic Primary Carnitine Deficiency
  19. MCAD Deficiency

MCAD Deficiency is an inherited disorder caused by defects in Fatty Acid Breakdown. It is caused by a lack of medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD), which is involved in the metabolism of medium-chain fatty acids.

Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase catalyzes the first step of beta-oxidation, so a defect in its activity leads to the accumulation of fatty acyl-carnitines and other upstream intermediates.

Due to an inability to use fats for energy, patients develop hypoketotic hypoglycemia during fasting, and may also present with lethargy, vomiting, seizures, coma, and even death. The accumulation of fatty acyl-carnitines and ot her intermediates can lead to hepatomegaly and liver dysfunction, and hyperammonemia may be seen.

Find this MCAD Deficiency mnemonic and more Metabolic Disorders mnemonics among Pixorize's visual mnemonics for the USMLE Step 1 and NBME Shelf Exam.