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01-11-2003 | Original Paper

Hyperammonaemia as a cause of psychosis in an adolescent

Authors: Amaya Bélanger-Quintana, Mercedes Martínez-Pardo, María José García, Bendicht Wermuth, Julián Torres, Esperanza Pallarés, Magdalena Ugarte

Published in: European Journal of Pediatrics | Issue 11/2003

Abstract

Diseases that cause hyperammonaemia usually appear during the neonatal period or during the first months of life as severe neurological metabolic distress. In some cases, as the one reported here, the age of onset and initial symptoms are non-specific and the episodes of acute metabolic encephalopathy may be attributed to encephalitis, poisoning or psychiatric problems. Our patient had N-acetyl glutamate synthetase deficiency due to a lack of activation by L-arginine. Treatment with N-carbamylglutamate was successful in maintaining normal ammonia levels. Conclusion: we emphasise the importance of measuring ammonia levels in patients with neurological or psychiatric symptoms as part of their diagnostic work-up.

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Title: Hyperammonaemia as a cause of psychosis in an adolescent
Authors: Amaya Bélanger-Quintana
Mercedes Martínez-Pardo
María José García
Bendicht Wermuth
Julián Torres
Esperanza Pallarés
Magdalena Ugarte
Publication date: 01-11-2003
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Pediatrics / Issue 11/2003
Print ISSN: 0340-6199
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1076
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-002-1126-2

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Hyperammonaemia as a cause of psychosis in an adolescent

Abstract

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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