Evaluation of patients with an abnormal newborn screen showing elevations of glutarylcarnitine
Diagnosis of glutaric aciduria type 1 deficiency
Elevated glutarylcarnitine (C5-DC) in plasma or newborn screening blood spots is due to glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA-1), also known as glutaric acidemia type 1.
Urine C5-DC is a biochemical marker of GA-1 that appears to be elevated even in low excretors, who are affected patients with normal levels of glutaric acid in urine.
Flow Injection Analysis-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (FIA-MS/MS)
Acylcarnitines, urine
GA 1
GA1
GCDH (Glutaryl-CoA Dehydrogenase) Deficiency
Glutaric Aciduria 1 (GA1) (GA 1)
Glutaric Aciduria Type 1
Glutaryl-CoA Dehydrogenase (GCDH) Deficiency
GAI
GA I
Glutarylcarnitine
Urine
This second-tier test is used specifically to evaluate a newborn screening elevation of glutarylcarnitine and must not be ordered with either C4U / C4 Acylcarnitine, Quantitative, Random, Urine or C5OHU / C5-OH Acylcarnitine, Quantitative, Random, Urine.
For general screening for metabolic disorders, see OAU / Organic Acids Screen, Random, Urine; ACRN / Acylcarnitines, Quantitative, Plasma; and AAQP / Amino Acids, Quantitative, Plasma.
Patient Preparation: If clinically feasible, discontinue L-carnitine supplementation at least 72 hours before specimen collection.
Supplies: Urine Tubes, 10 mL (T068)
Collection Container/Tube: Clean, plastic urine collection container
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic, 10-mL urine tube
Specimen Volume: 5 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect a random urine specimen.
2. Freeze specimen immediately.
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Biochemical Genetics Test Request (T798) with the specimen.
1 mL
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Urine | Frozen (preferred) | 7 days | |
Refrigerated | 24 hours |
Evaluation of patients with an abnormal newborn screen showing elevations of glutarylcarnitine
Diagnosis of glutaric aciduria type 1 deficiency
Elevated glutarylcarnitine (C5-DC) in plasma or newborn screening blood spots is due to glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA-1), also known as glutaric acidemia type 1.
Urine C5-DC is a biochemical marker of GA-1 that appears to be elevated even in low excretors, who are affected patients with normal levels of glutaric acid in urine.
An isolated elevation of glutarylcarnitine (C5-DC) in plasma or newborn screening blood spots is related to a diagnosis of glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA-1), also known as glutaric acidemia type 1. GA-1 is caused by a deficiency of glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase. Diagnostic testing by acylcarnitine analysis, including the evaluation of C5DC in urine, is helpful to determine if a patient has GA1.(1) Urinary excretion of C5-DC is a specific biochemical marker of GA-1 that appears to be elevated even in low excretors, those patients who are affected but have normal levels of glutaric acid in urine.
GA-1 is characterized by bilateral striatal brain injury leading to dystonia, often a result of acute neurologic crises triggered by illness. Many affected individuals also have macrocephaly. Dietary treatment and aggressive interventions during time of illness are recommended to try to prevent or minimize neurologic injury, which is most likely to occur in infancy and early childhood. Prevalence is approximately 1 in 100,000 individuals.
The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics newborn screening work group published diagnostic algorithms for the follow-up of infants who had a positive newborn screening result. For more information, see the Practice Resources: ACT Sheets and Algorithms at www.acmg.net.
<1.54 millimoles/mole creatinine
Elevated excretion of glutarylcarnitine is a specific biochemical marker of glutaric aciduria type 1 that is elevated in affected patients, apparently even in low excretors, ie, those affected individuals with normal levels of glutaric acid in urine.
The results of urine acylcarnitines typically are not informative when the patient is receiving L-carnitine supplements.
1. Miller MJ, Cusmano-Ozog K, Oglesbee D, Young S; ACMG Laboratory Quality Assurance Committee: Laboratory analysis of acylcarnitines, 2020 update: a technical standard of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). Genet Med. 2021;23(2):249-258
2. Kolker S, Christensen E, Leonar JV, et al. Diagnosis and management of glutaric aciduria type I-revised recommendations. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2011;34(3):677-694
3. , , et al. The low excretor phenotype of glutaric acidemia type I is a source of false negative newborn screening results and challenging diagnoses. JIMD Rep.2021;60(1)67–74
Acylcarnitines, including glutarylcarnitine, are determined in urine by flow injection analysis tandem mass spectrometry using acetyl-d3-carnitine, propionyl-d3-carnitine, butyryl-d3-carnitine, octanoyl-d3-carnitine, dodecanoyl-d3-carnitine, and palmitoyl-d3-carnitine as internal standards. The supernatant is evaporated and the residue treated with n-butanolic hydrochloric acid yielding the acylcarnitines for analysis as their n-butyl esters.(Tortorelli S, Hahn SH, Cowan TM, et al. The urinary excretion of glutarylcarnitine is an informative tool in the biochemical diagnosis of glutaric acidemia type I. Mol Genet Metab. 2005;84(2):137-143; Miller MJ, Cusmano-Ozog K, Oglesbee D, Young S; ACMG Laboratory Quality Assurance Committee. Laboratory analysis of acylcarnitines, 2020 update: a technical standard of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). Genet Med. 2021;23(2):249-258)
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
82017
Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
C5DCU | C5-DC Acylcarnitine, QN, U | 54279-5 |
Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
---|---|---|
88831 | C5-DC Acylcarnitine, QN, U | 54279-5 |
28126 | C5-DC Interpretation | 59462-2 |
34470 | Reviewed By | 18771-6 |