Glutaric aciduria type 1: biochemical investigations and postmortem findings

Glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1; deficiency of glutaryl - CoA dehydrogenase) was diagnosed in a 6.5-month-old female infant. Despite a good biochemical response to dietary reduction of lysine and tryptophan, there was no clinical response to diet nor to riboflavin therapy and her neurological condition deteriorated progressively until her death at 10.5 months. At postmortem examination only mild neuropathological abnormalities were found in contrast to previous reports of this condition. High levels of glutarate were found in liver, skeletal muscle, heart muscle and aqueous humor. Eye fluid which is readily available, may be a useful material for the postmortem diagnosis of this, and other organic acidurias when urine is not available.