3-Hydroxy-isobutyryl-coenzyme A (CoA) hydrolase (HBICH) deficiency is a rare cerebral organic aciduria caused by disturbance of valine catabolism that leads to the accumulation of toxic metabolites, methacrylyl-CoA. The major feature exhibited by a patient with HBICH deficiency includes multiple congenital malformations and abnormal neurologic findings. However, the pathophysiology of this disease remains unknown. The major treatment for HBICH deficiency involves a low-protein diet, especially restricting valine, supplemented with micronutrients and carnitine. To our knowledge, only four patients with HBICH deficiency have been reported. These patients were boys and presented with different clinical, biochemical, and genetic features than our patient. In this report, we described what was to our knowledge the first genetically confirmed girl with HBICH deficiency in China. A 5-mo nutritional intervention was given to the patient by a nutritional support team. On this regimen, the patient's symptoms were alleviated and her quality of life was improved.
Keywords: 3-Hydroxy-isobutyryl-CoA hydrolase; Nutritional intervention; Nutritional support team; Valine catabolism; Valine-restrict regimen.
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