What is carnitine palmitoyltransferase I deficiency?
Carnitine palmitoyltransferase I deficiency is a condition that prevents the body from converting certain fats called long-chain fatty acids into energy, particularly during periods without food (fasting). Carnitine, a natural substance acquired mostly through the diet, is required by cells to process fats and produce energy. People with this disorder have a faulty enzyme that disrupts carnitine’s role in processing long-chain fatty acids. One of the main signs of this disorder is a low level of ketones, which are products of fat breakdown that are used for energy. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is another major feature. Together these signs are called hypoketotic hypoglycemia, which can result in a loss of consciousness or seizures. People with this disorder typically also have an enlarged liver (hepatomegaly), muscle weakness, nervous system damage, and elevated levels of carnitine in the blood. This condition is sometimes mistaken for Reye syndrome, a severe disorder that develops i
