Clinical and laboratory features of homocystinuria

Haemostasis. 1989:19 Suppl 1:10-3. doi: 10.1159/000216090.

Abstract

Classic homocystinuria is an autosomal recessive metabolic disease due to a cystathionine-beta-synthase deficiency with consequent blocking of homocysteine and serine condensation for producing cystathionine. The characteristic biochemical abnormalities in the blood and urine are: abnormal accumulation of methionine, abnormal presence of homocystine and low values of cystathionine, cysteine or cystine (disulfide of the cysteine). The most frequent clinical signs are: subluxation of the lenses, mental retardation of different degrees, long bones excessively lengthened, scoliosis, susceptibility to arterial and venous thromboembolism. The latter is frequent after surgery, and may be life-threatening. This disease must be differentiated from Marfan's syndrome via laboratory tests.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Homocystinuria / diagnosis*
  • Humans