Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Long-chain Fatty-acid Oxidation Disorders: A Review

touchREV Endocrinol. 2021 Nov;17(2):108-111. doi: 10.17925/EE.2021.17.2.108. Epub 2021 Sep 10.

Abstract

Long-chain fatty-acid oxidation disorders (LC-FAODs) are autosomal recessive inherited metabolic conditions that occur due to a disruption in the body's ability to perform mitochondrial beta oxidation. Expanded newborn screening is widening phenotypic understanding of these disorders, as well improving our knowledge of disease incidence. Management of these disorders is focused on avoidance of fasting, dietary changes and supplementation with energy sources that bypass the metabolic block. Recent US Food and Drug Administration approval of triheptanoin has improved the outcome for affected individuals. New research into dietary modifications and novel pharmacologic therapies continues for these disorders. In this article, we review the major LC-FAODs and their clinical presentation.

Keywords: Long-chain fatty-acid oxidation disorders (LC-FAODs); beta oxidation; inborn errors of metabolism; newborn screening; nutrition; triheptanoin.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

Support: No funding was received for the publication of this article.