Spectrum of Common and Rare Small Molecule Inborn Errors of Metabolism Diagnosed in a Tertiary Care Center of Maharashtra, India

Introduction Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) form a large group of genetic diseases involving defects in genes coding for enzymes, receptors, and cofactors in the metabolic pathways of small and large molecules. The present study is the comprehensive data analysis of the tandem mass spectrometry (TMS) and urine metabolic pattern for the diagnosis of IEMs by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in samples received for high-risk IEM screening.Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of children diagnosed with IEMs presenting at the genetic clinic of Mahatma Gandhi Missions (MGM) Medical College, Aurangabad. This article summarizes retrospective data of 40 pediatric cases over a three-year period, diagnosed with small molecule IEM based on the standard testing criteria.Results Out of 40, 17 patients (42.5%) were found to have organic acidemias, four (10%) had fatty acid oxidation defects, six (15%) had disorders of aminoacidopathies, seven (17.5%) had mitochondrial diseases, and three (7.5%) had urea cycle defects. One patient in each group (2.5% each) had carbohydrate metabolism defects, purine metabolic defects, and neurotransmitter metabolic defects.Conclusions This clinico-etiological profile study has thrown light on the clinical features and natural course of many common and rare IEMs, and it may provide clinicians with a deeper understanding of these conditions, allowing for improved early diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. Because of the high degree of consanguinity and marriages in the same community, common as well as many rare inherited metabolic diseases were diagnosed and novel genetic variants were identified.