Medicine & USMLE

Pyruvate Kinase 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

Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency

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Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder primarily affecting red blood cells (RBCs).

A deficiency of pyruvate kinase impairs the final step of glycolysis (from PEP to pyruvate), leading to ATP depletion.

ATP depletion in RBCs leads to rigidity and extravascular hemolysis in the spleen. The resulting anemia is compensated for by increased 2,3-BPG, which increases oxygen unloading to tissues.

Chronic hemolysis can lead to jaundice, pigmented gallstones, and increased bilirubin levels. Echinocytes ("burr cells") can be seen on peripheral blood smear. The treatment includes transfusions for anemia and splenectomy in severe cases.

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