[Medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency. Apropos of a case with demonstration of this enzyme deficiency]

The medium chain acyl-CoA deshydrogenase defect: a new inherited metabolic disorder. This enzymatic defect blocks the catabolism of non esterified fatty acids during fasting. Thus, this disease is revealed by a coma due to hypoglycemia in a young child; the presence of dicarboxylic aciduria in such a situation is the main evidence for this diagnosis. Finally, the enzymatic studies performed on skin fibroblasts show a defect in medium chain acyl-CoA deshydrogenase. When a child is investigated away from a coma episode, the ketotic diet induces dicarboxylic aciduria but must be performed in an intensive care unit for its dangers.