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Homocystinuria

MedGen UID:
42485
Concept ID:
C0019880
Disease or Syndrome
Synonyms: High urine homocystine levels; homocystinuria; homocystinuria (disease)
SNOMED CT: Homocystinuria (11282001)
 
HPO: HP:0002156
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0004737

Definition

Homocystinuria is an inherited disorder in which the body is unable to process certain building blocks of proteins (amino acids) properly. 

The most common form of homocystinuria, called classic homocystinuria, is characterized by tall stature, nearsightedness (myopia), dislocation of the lens at the front of the eye, a higher risk of blood clotting disorders, and brittle bones that are prone to fracture (osteoporosis) or other skeletal abnormalities. Some affected individuals also have developmental delay and learning problems.

Less common forms of homocystinuria can cause intellectual disability, slower growth and weight gain (failure to thrive), seizures, and problems with movement. They can also cause and a blood disorder called megaloblastic anemia, which occurs when a person has a low number of red blood cells (anemia), and the remaining red blood cells are larger than normal (megaloblastic).

The signs and symptoms of homocystinuria typically develop during childhood, although some mildly affected people may not show signs and symptoms until adulthood. [from MedlinePlus Genetics]

Conditions with this feature

Classic homocystinuria
MedGen UID:
199606
Concept ID:
C0751202
Disease or Syndrome
Homocystinuria caused by cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS) deficiency is characterized by involvement of the eye (ectopia lentis and/or severe myopia), skeletal system (excessive height, long limbs, scolioisis, and pectus excavatum), vascular system (thromboembolism), and CNS (developmental delay/intellectual disability). All four ? or only one ? of the systems can be involved; expressivity is variable for all of the clinical signs. It is not unusual for a previously asymptomatic individual to present in adult years with only a thromboembolic event that is often cerebrovascular. Two phenotypic variants are recognized, B6-responsive homocystinuria and B6-non-responsive homocystinuria. B6-responsive homocystinuria is usually milder than the non-responsive variant. Thromboembolism is the major cause of early death and morbidity. IQ in individuals with untreated homocystinuria ranges widely, from 10 to 138. In B6-responsive individuals the mean IQ is 79 versus 57 for those who are B6-non-responsive. Other features that may occur include: seizures, psychiatric problems, extrapyramidal signs (e.g., dystonia), hypopigmentation of the skin and hair, malar flush, livedo reticularis, and pancreatitis.
Methylmalonic acidemia with homocystinuria, type cblX
MedGen UID:
167111
Concept ID:
C0796208
Disease or Syndrome
Disorders of intracellular cobalamin metabolism have a variable phenotype and age of onset that are influenced by the severity and location within the pathway of the defect. The prototype and best understood phenotype is cblC; it is also the most common of these disorders. The age of initial presentation of cblC spans a wide range: In utero with fetal presentation of nonimmune hydrops, cardiomyopathy, and intrauterine growth restriction. Newborns, who can have microcephaly, poor feeding, and encephalopathy. Infants, who can have poor feeding and slow growth, neurologic abnormality, and, rarely, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Toddlers, who can have poor growth, progressive microcephaly, cytopenias (including megaloblastic anemia), global developmental delay, encephalopathy, and neurologic signs such as hypotonia and seizures. Adolescents and adults, who can have neuropsychiatric symptoms, progressive cognitive decline, thromboembolic complications, and/or subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.
Facial dysmorphism-lens dislocation-anterior segment abnormalities-spontaneous filtering blebs syndrome
MedGen UID:
330396
Concept ID:
C1832167
Disease or Syndrome
Traboulsi syndrome is characterized by dislocated crystalline lenses and anterior segment abnormalities in association with a distinctive facies involving flat cheeks and a beaked nose. Some affected individuals develop highly unusual nontraumatic conjunctival cysts (filtering blebs), presumably caused by abnormal thinning of the sclera (Patel et al., 2014).
Methylmalonic aciduria and homocystinuria type cblD
MedGen UID:
341253
Concept ID:
C1848552
Disease or Syndrome
Disorders of intracellular cobalamin metabolism have a variable phenotype and age of onset that are influenced by the severity and location within the pathway of the defect. The prototype and best understood phenotype is cblC; it is also the most common of these disorders. The age of initial presentation of cblC spans a wide range: In utero with fetal presentation of nonimmune hydrops, cardiomyopathy, and intrauterine growth restriction. Newborns, who can have microcephaly, poor feeding, and encephalopathy. Infants, who can have poor feeding and slow growth, neurologic abnormality, and, rarely, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Toddlers, who can have poor growth, progressive microcephaly, cytopenias (including megaloblastic anemia), global developmental delay, encephalopathy, and neurologic signs such as hypotonia and seizures. Adolescents and adults, who can have neuropsychiatric symptoms, progressive cognitive decline, thromboembolic complications, and/or subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.
Cobalamin C disease
MedGen UID:
341256
Concept ID:
C1848561
Disease or Syndrome
Disorders of intracellular cobalamin metabolism have a variable phenotype and age of onset that are influenced by the severity and location within the pathway of the defect. The prototype and best understood phenotype is cblC; it is also the most common of these disorders. The age of initial presentation of cblC spans a wide range: In utero with fetal presentation of nonimmune hydrops, cardiomyopathy, and intrauterine growth restriction. Newborns, who can have microcephaly, poor feeding, and encephalopathy. Infants, who can have poor feeding and slow growth, neurologic abnormality, and, rarely, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Toddlers, who can have poor growth, progressive microcephaly, cytopenias (including megaloblastic anemia), global developmental delay, encephalopathy, and neurologic signs such as hypotonia and seizures. Adolescents and adults, who can have neuropsychiatric symptoms, progressive cognitive decline, thromboembolic complications, and/or subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.
Methylmalonic aciduria and homocystinuria type cblF
MedGen UID:
336373
Concept ID:
C1848578
Disease or Syndrome
Disorders of intracellular cobalamin metabolism have a variable phenotype and age of onset that are influenced by the severity and location within the pathway of the defect. The prototype and best understood phenotype is cblC; it is also the most common of these disorders. The age of initial presentation of cblC spans a wide range: In utero with fetal presentation of nonimmune hydrops, cardiomyopathy, and intrauterine growth restriction. Newborns, who can have microcephaly, poor feeding, and encephalopathy. Infants, who can have poor feeding and slow growth, neurologic abnormality, and, rarely, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Toddlers, who can have poor growth, progressive microcephaly, cytopenias (including megaloblastic anemia), global developmental delay, encephalopathy, and neurologic signs such as hypotonia and seizures. Adolescents and adults, who can have neuropsychiatric symptoms, progressive cognitive decline, thromboembolic complications, and/or subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.
Methylcobalamin deficiency type cblG
MedGen UID:
344426
Concept ID:
C1855128
Disease or Syndrome
Disorders of intracellular cobalamin metabolism have a variable phenotype and age of onset that are influenced by the severity and location within the pathway of the defect. The prototype and best understood phenotype is cblC; it is also the most common of these disorders. The age of initial presentation of cblC spans a wide range: In utero with fetal presentation of nonimmune hydrops, cardiomyopathy, and intrauterine growth restriction. Newborns, who can have microcephaly, poor feeding, and encephalopathy. Infants, who can have poor feeding and slow growth, neurologic abnormality, and, rarely, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Toddlers, who can have poor growth, progressive microcephaly, cytopenias (including megaloblastic anemia), global developmental delay, encephalopathy, and neurologic signs such as hypotonia and seizures. Adolescents and adults, who can have neuropsychiatric symptoms, progressive cognitive decline, thromboembolic complications, and/or subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.
Methylcobalamin deficiency type cblE
MedGen UID:
344640
Concept ID:
C1856057
Disease or Syndrome
Disorders of intracellular cobalamin metabolism have a variable phenotype and age of onset that are influenced by the severity and location within the pathway of the defect. The prototype and best understood phenotype is cblC; it is also the most common of these disorders. The age of initial presentation of cblC spans a wide range: In utero with fetal presentation of nonimmune hydrops, cardiomyopathy, and intrauterine growth restriction. Newborns, who can have microcephaly, poor feeding, and encephalopathy. Infants, who can have poor feeding and slow growth, neurologic abnormality, and, rarely, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Toddlers, who can have poor growth, progressive microcephaly, cytopenias (including megaloblastic anemia), global developmental delay, encephalopathy, and neurologic signs such as hypotonia and seizures. Adolescents and adults, who can have neuropsychiatric symptoms, progressive cognitive decline, thromboembolic complications, and/or subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.
Homocystinuria due to methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency
MedGen UID:
343470
Concept ID:
C1856061
Disease or Syndrome
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency is a common inborn error of folate metabolism. The phenotypic spectrum ranges from severe neurologic deterioration and early death to asymptomatic adults. In the classic form, both thermostable and thermolabile enzyme variants have been identified (Rosenblatt et al., 1992).
Methylmalonic acidemia with homocystinuria, type cblJ
MedGen UID:
766829
Concept ID:
C3553915
Disease or Syndrome
Combined methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) and homocystinuria is a genetically heterogeneous metabolic disorder of cobalamin (cbl; vitamin B12) metabolism, which is essential for hematologic and neurologic function. Biochemically, the defect causes decreased levels of the coenzymes adenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl) and methylcobalamin (MeCbl), which results in decreased activity of the respective enzymes methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MUT; 609058) and methyltetrahydrofolate:homocysteine methyltransferase, also known as methionine synthase (MTR; 156570). The cblJ type is phenotypically and biochemically similar to the cblF type (MAHCF; 277380) (summary by Coelho et al., 2012).

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

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Wong A, Galiabovitch E, Bhagwat K
ANZ J Surg 2019 Apr;89(4):303-308. Epub 2018 Jul 5 doi: 10.1111/ans.14713. PMID: 29974615
Wasim M, Awan FR, Khan HN, Tawab A, Iqbal M, Ayesha H
Biochem Genet 2018 Apr;56(1-2):7-21. Epub 2017 Nov 1 doi: 10.1007/s10528-017-9825-6. PMID: 29094226
Edirisinghe SP
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Makris M
Clin Lab Haematol 2000 Jun;22(3):133-43. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2257.2000.00301.x. PMID: 10931161

Diagnosis

Ryan A, Twomey PJ
J Clin Pathol 2023 Mar;76(3):153-155. Epub 2022 Dec 2 doi: 10.1136/jcp-2022-208606. PMID: 36460459
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Therapy

Wong A, Galiabovitch E, Bhagwat K
ANZ J Surg 2019 Apr;89(4):303-308. Epub 2018 Jul 5 doi: 10.1111/ans.14713. PMID: 29974615
Zaric BL, Obradovic M, Bajic V, Haidara MA, Jovanovic M, Isenovic ER
Curr Med Chem 2019;26(16):2948-2961. doi: 10.2174/0929867325666180313105949. PMID: 29532755
Kruger WD
Mol Genet Metab 2017 Jul;121(3):199-205. Epub 2017 May 19 doi: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2017.05.011. PMID: 28583326Free PMC Article
Morris AA, Kožich V, Santra S, Andria G, Ben-Omran TI, Chakrapani AB, Crushell E, Henderson MJ, Hochuli M, Huemer M, Janssen MC, Maillot F, Mayne PD, McNulty J, Morrison TM, Ogier H, O'Sullivan S, Pavlíková M, de Almeida IT, Terry A, Yap S, Blom HJ, Chapman KA
J Inherit Metab Dis 2017 Jan;40(1):49-74. Epub 2016 Oct 24 doi: 10.1007/s10545-016-9979-0. PMID: 27778219Free PMC Article
Makris M
Clin Lab Haematol 2000 Jun;22(3):133-43. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2257.2000.00301.x. PMID: 10931161

Prognosis

Bernards J, Doubel P, Meeus G, Lerut E, Corveleyn A, Van Den Heuvel LP, Meersseman W, Kuypers DK, Claes KJ
Acta Clin Belg 2021 Feb;76(1):65-69. Epub 2019 Aug 11 doi: 10.1080/17843286.2019.1649039. PMID: 31401947
Urakami T
Minerva Pediatr 2020 Dec;72(6):472-483. Epub 2020 Aug 4 doi: 10.23736/S0026-4946.20.05971-X. PMID: 32748612
Wong A, Galiabovitch E, Bhagwat K
ANZ J Surg 2019 Apr;89(4):303-308. Epub 2018 Jul 5 doi: 10.1111/ans.14713. PMID: 29974615
Davì G, Falco A
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Clinical prediction guides

Hames A, Khan S, Gilliland C, Goldman L, Lo HW, Magda K, Keathley J
J Med Genet 2023 Dec 21;61(1):1-7. doi: 10.1136/jmg-2023-109563. PMID: 37775265
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Am J Hum Genet 2021 Jul 1;108(7):1283-1300. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2021.05.009. PMID: 34214447Free PMC Article
Urakami T
Minerva Pediatr 2020 Dec;72(6):472-483. Epub 2020 Aug 4 doi: 10.23736/S0026-4946.20.05971-X. PMID: 32748612
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Recent systematic reviews

Arhip L, Brox-Torrecilla N, Romero I, Motilla M, Serrano-Moreno C, Miguélez M, Cuerda C
Orphanet J Rare Dis 2024 Jan 20;19(1):20. doi: 10.1186/s13023-024-03021-3. PMID: 38245797Free PMC Article
Morris AA, Kožich V, Santra S, Andria G, Ben-Omran TI, Chakrapani AB, Crushell E, Henderson MJ, Hochuli M, Huemer M, Janssen MC, Maillot F, Mayne PD, McNulty J, Morrison TM, Ogier H, O'Sullivan S, Pavlíková M, de Almeida IT, Terry A, Yap S, Blom HJ, Chapman KA
J Inherit Metab Dis 2017 Jan;40(1):49-74. Epub 2016 Oct 24 doi: 10.1007/s10545-016-9979-0. PMID: 27778219Free PMC Article
Walter JH, Jahnke N, Remmington T
Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015 Oct 1;2015(10):CD008840. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008840.pub4. PMID: 26423208Free PMC Article
Moorthie S, Cameron L, Sagoo GS, Bonham JR, Burton H
J Inherit Metab Dis 2014 Nov;37(6):889-98. Epub 2014 Jul 15 doi: 10.1007/s10545-014-9729-0. PMID: 25022222
Walter JH, Jahnke N, Remmington T
Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2013 Aug 1;(8):CD008840. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008840.pub3. PMID: 23908001

Supplemental Content

Table of contents

    Clinical resources

    Practice guidelines

    • PubMed
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      See practice and clinical guidelines in NCBI Bookshelf. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.

    Curated

    • ACMG ACT, 2021
      American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Newborn Screening ACT Sheet, Elevated Methionine +/- Elevated Homocysteine, Homocystinuria (Cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency), 2021
    • ACMG Algorithm, 2021
      American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Algorithm, Elevated Methionine +/- Elevated Homocysteine, 2021
    • Orphanet, 2013
      Orphanet, Classic Homocystinuria, 2013

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