A Novel Description of Increased Urinary Orotic Acid Excretion in Pediatric Trauma

Abstract

The diagnostic utility of orotic aciduria for suspected inborn errors of metabolism is well established. Orotic aciduria has been reported in traumatized adults, but not in children. A 2-year-old hyperammonemic girl with cardiac arrest and abdominal compartment syndrome secondary to non-accidental trauma with significant orotic aciduria is presented. To our knowledge, this is the first report highlighting the association of transiently elevated urinary orotic acid and mild uricosuria with severe trauma in children. Further investigations into the clinical use of orotic acid excretion as a biomarker of the catabolic state of pediatric trauma or other critical illness are warranted. J Endocrinol Metab. 2014;4(1-2):32-35 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jem209w