Carbamyl-phosphate-synthetase deficiency with neonatal onset of symptoms

The clinical course and biochemical findings in a case of carbamyl-phosphate-synthetase deficiency are described. The patient, a boy, presented 48 h after birth with rapidly developing hypotonia and hypothermia. Pulmonary haemorrhage, melaena and haematemesis ensued and despite ventilatory assistance and peritoneal dialysis the patient died on the fifth day. A virtual absence of carbamyl phosphate synthetase I (N-acetylglutamate dependent) was proved by analysis of tissue samples removed post mortem. Other urea cycle enzymes were normal.