NEWBORN SCREENING FACT SHEET MMA (Methylmalonic Acidemia) What is it? respond to vitamin B12 treatment is called mut-. MMA stands for methylmalonic academia. People with mut- type of MMA have too little of It is one type of organic acid disorder. People with the MCM enzyme. MMA have problems breaking down and using certain amino acids and fatty acids from the food Another form of MMA, called MMA with they eat. homocystinuria, is described in a separate fact sheet. See the fact sheet MMA+HCU for more What causes it? information about this condition. In order for the body to use protein from the food we eat, it is broken down into smaller parts called Isoleucine, valine, methionine and threonine are the amino acids. Special enzymes then make changes four amino acids that cannot be used correctly by to the amino acids so the body can use them. In the people with MMA. These amino acids are found in same way, fat from the food we eat is broken down all foods that contain protein. Large amounts are by enzymes into fatty acids that the body can use found in meat, eggs, milk and other dairy products. for energy. Smaller amounts are found in flour, cereal, and some vegetables and fruits. MMA occurs when one of these special enzymes is either missing or not working properly. Without If MMA is not treated, what problems occur? this enzyme, certain amino acids and fatty acids Each child with MMA is likely to have somewhat cannot be used correctly. This causes glycine, different effects. Many babies with MMA start methylmalonic acid, and other harmful substances having symptoms in the first few days of life. to build up in the blood and urine and cause health Others begin to show symptoms sometime in problems. infancy or childhood. Some people with MMA never develop symptoms. There are a number of different forms of MMA. Some forms can be treated with vitamin B12 MMA causes episodes of illness called metabolic injections. These types are called “vitamin B12 crises. Some of the first symptoms of a metabolic responsive.” Two types of MMA that often can be crisis are: treated with vitamin B12 are cobalamin A (CblA) 1) Poor appetite. deficiency and cobalamin B (CblB) deficiency. 2) Vomiting. 3) Extreme sleepiness or lack of energy. There are other forms of MMA that cannot be 4) Low muscle tone (floppy muscles and joints). treated with vitamin B12. These types are called vitamin B12 non-responsive. One of these is Common blood and urine findings are: called mut 0. It is caused by the absence of an 1) Ketones in the urine. enzyme called methylmalonyl-CoA mutase 2) High levels of acidic substances in the blood, (MCM). Another type of MMA that does not called metabolic acidosis. MMA 1 of 1 May 2008 3) High blood ammonia levels. What is the treatment for MMA? 4) High blood and urine levels of glycine. Your baby’s primary doctor will work with a 5) High blood and urine levels of methylmalonic metabolic doctor and a dietician to care for your acid and propionic acid. child. 6) High levels of other harmful substances. 7) Low platelets. Prompt treatment is needed to reduce the chance for 8) Low white blood cells. mental retardation and serious medical problems. 9) Anemia. Children with vitamin B12 responsive MMA are given vitamin B12. In addition, most children need If a metabolic crisis is not treated, a child with to be on a low-protein diet and drink a special MMA can develop: medical formula. You should start the treatments as 1) Breathing problems. soon as you know your child has MMA. 2) Seizures. 3) Stroke. The following treatments often are recommended 4) Coma, sometimes leading to death. for children with MMA: A metabolic crisis can be triggered by: Medication 1) Eating large amounts of protein. The main treatment for vitamin B12 responsive 2) Illness or infection. MMA is vitamin B12 injections in the form of 3) Going too long without food. hydroxocobalamin (OH-cbl) or cyanocobalamin 4) Stressful events such as surgery. (CN-cbl). Vitamin B12 injections can prevent symptoms in children with this form of MMA. Between episodes of metabolic crisis, children with MMA may be healthy. However, some continue to More than 90 percent of children with CblA have problems with health and development. Some deficiency respond to vitamin B12 injections. children have long-term problems even if they have About 40 percent of children with CblB deficiency never had a metabolic crisis. These can include: are helped by this treatment. Your doctors may 1) Learning disabilities or mental retardation. need to treat your child with vitamin B12 for a 2) Delays in walking and motor skills. short period 3) Abnormal involuntary movements (dystonia of time to determine whether this treatment is useful. and chorea). 4) Rigid muscle tone, called spasticity. Children with MMA may benefit by taking L- 5) Poor growth with short stature. carnitine. This is a safe and natural substance that 6) Skin rashes and infections. helps the body make energy. It also helps get rid of 7) Osteoporosis. harmful wastes. Your doctor will decide whether or 8) Enlarged liver. not your child needs L-carnitine. Unless you are 9) Kidney disease or failure. advised otherwise, use only L-carnitine prescribed by your doctor. Without treatment, brain and nerve damage can occur. This can cause mental retardation and Antibiotics taken by mouth can help lower the problems with involuntary movements. Death is amount of methylmalonic acid made in the common in untreated babies and children. intestines. Your doctor will decide if your child needs antibiotics and, if so, what type. A smaller number of people with MMA never show symptoms. Children who are having symptoms of a metabolic crisis should be treated in the hospital. During a MMA 2 of 2 May 2008 metabolic crisis, your child may be given will tell you what type of formula is best and how medications such as biocarbonate through an IV to much to use. help reduce the acid levels in the blood. Glucose is given by IV to prevent the breakdown of protein There are also medical foods such as special low- and fat stored in the body. protein flours, pastas and rice that are made especially for people with organic acid disorders. Do not use any medication without checking with Your dietician will tell you how to use these foods your doctor. as part or your child’s diet. Low-Protein Diet, Medical Foods and Medical Regular Blood and Urine Tests Formula Tracking of Ketones Low-Protein Diet Periodic urine tests to check the level of ketones A food plan low in the amino acids leucine, valine, can be done at home or at the doctor’s office. methionine and threonine with limited amounts of Ketones are substances formed when body fat is protein often is recommended. Most food in the broken down for energy. This happens after going diet will be carbohydrates (bread, cereal, pasta, without food for long periods of time, during illness fruit, vegetables, etc.). Carbohydrates give the body and during periods of heavy exercise. Too many many types of sugar that can be used as energy. ketones in the urine may signal the start of a Eating a diet high in carbohydrates and low in metabolic crisis. protein and fat can help prevent metabolic crises. Foods high in protein that may need to be avoided Blood Tests or limited include: Your child will have regular blood tests to measure 1) Milk and dairy products. the level of amino acids. Urine tests also may be 2) Meat and poultry. done. Your child’s diet and medication may need to 3) Fish. be adjusted based on the results of these tests. 4) Eggs. 5) Dried beans and legumes. Call Your Doctor at the Start of Any Illness 6) Nuts and peanut butter. For children with MMA, even minor illness could lead to a metabolic crisis. To prevent serious health Many vegetables and fruits have only small problems, call your doctor right away when your amounts of protein and can be eaten in carefully child has any of the following: measured amounts. Do not remove all protein from 1) Loss of appetite the diet. Children with MMA need a certain amount 2) Vomiting to grow properly. 3) Diarrhea 4) Infection or illness Your dietician can create a food plan that contains 5) Fever the right amount of protein, nutrients and energy to keep your child healthy. It is likely your child will When ill, your child needs extra fluids and need to be on a special food plan throughout life. carbohydrates in order to prevent a metabolic crisis. During an illness, you should restrict protein and Medical Formula and Foods give your child starchy foods and fluids. Children In addition to a low-protein diet, your child may be with MMA may need to be treated in the hospital given a special medical formula. This formula during illness to avoid serious health problems. Ask contains the correct amount of protein and nutrients your metabolic doctor if you should carry a special your child needs for normal growth and travel letter with medical instructions for your development. Your metabolic doctor and dietician child’s care. MMA 3 of 3 May 2008 Organ Transplantation Carriers do not have MMA because the other gene Some children with MMA are given liver or kidney of this pair is working correctly. transplants, or both. However, transplant surgery has serious risks and may or may not be right for When both parents are carriers, there is a 25 percent your child.