Doing it for Ru

PDH (pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency complex) is characterized by the buildup of a chemical called lactic acid in the body and a variety of neurological problems. Signs and symptoms of this condition usually first appear shortly after birth and they can vary widely among affected individuals.

The most common feature is a potentially life-threatening buildup of lactic acid (lactic acidosis), which can cause nausea, vomiting, severe breathing problems, and an abnormal heartbeat. People with pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency usually have neurological problems as well. Most have delayed development of mental abilities and motor skills, such as sitting and walking. Other neurological problems can include intellectual disability, seizures, weak muscle tone (hypotonia), poor coordination, and difficulty walking.

Some affected individuals have abnormal brain structures, such as underdevelopment of the tissue connecting the left and right halves of the brain (corpus callosum), wasting away (atrophy) of the exterior part of the brain known as the cerebral cortex, or patches of damaged tissue (lesions) on some parts of the brain. Because of the severe health effects, many people with pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency do not survive past childhood, although some may live into adolescence or adulthood.

Source taken from The Genetic Home Reference Website

HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE PDH?

Pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency is a rare disorder. A few hundred cases of pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency have been reported around the world. Most mutations are sporadic, and the recurrence rate is very low. The true occurrence of this disorder is unknown because mild mutations of the E1 alpha enzyme subunit gene on the X chromosome may be asymptomatic, especially in females.

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