tyrosinemia
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A genetic disorder: Tyrosinemia is an autosomal recessive metabolic defect. This means it is an inherited condition where the body cannot properly break down the amino acid tyrosine, leading to its accumulation. 2. A cause of specific health issues: The defect results in disturbances, primarily affecting the liver and kidneys, and can also cause intellectual disability (historically referred to as mental retardation).
Usage
- Medical Diagnosis: The term is used almost exclusively in medical contexts to diagnose and discuss the condition.
- The newborn screening test indicated a possibility of tyrosinemia.
- There are different types of tyrosinemia, with type I being the most severe.
- Describing Symptoms or Management: It is used when discussing the effects or treatment of the disorder.
- The primary treatment for tyrosinemia involves a strict diet low in tyrosine and phenylalanine.
- Liver failure is a serious potential complication of untreated tyrosinemia.
Advanced Usage
- Specifying Types: In detailed medical discourse, the word is often specified as tyrosinemia type I (hepatorenal tyrosinemia), type II (oculocutaneous tyrosinemia), or type III, each referring to deficiencies in different enzymes in the metabolic pathway.
- Nitisinone is a medication used to treat hereditary tyrosinemia type I.
Variants and Related Words
- Tyrosine (noun): The amino acid that the body fails to metabolize correctly in this condition.
- Hypertyrosinemia (noun): A more general term for elevated tyrosine levels in the blood, which can be caused by tyrosinemia or other conditions.
Synonyms
- Hereditary tyrosinemia: This full phrase is often used synonymously.
- Tyrosine aminotransferase deficiency: This is a specific synonym for tyrosinemia type II.
- Fumarylacetoacetase deficiency: This is a specific synonym for tyrosinemia type I.
Notes on Terminology
- The reference context uses the term "mental retardation." In contemporary medical and general use, the preferred and more respectful terms are intellectual disability or impaired cognitive development.
Noun
- autosomal recessive defect in tyrosine metabolism resulting in liver and kidney disturbances and mental retardation