18-year Follow-up of Extended Newborn Screening for Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders

송웅주,이선호,전영미,김숙자,장미영,Song, Wung Joo,Lee, Sunho,Jeon, Young Mi,Kim, Sook Za,Jang, Mea Young The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic Disease 2018 대한유전성대사질환학회지 Vol.18 No.2

목적: 한국 유전학 연구소에서 실시한 광범위 신생아 스크리닝 검사(Newborn screening, NBS)로 진단된 선천성 대사질환 및 내분비질환을 가진 한국인 환아의 추적 관찰 및 장기적인 예후를 평가하기 위하여 본 연구를 시작하였다. 방법: 2000년 1월부터 2017년 12월까지 태어난 283,626명의 신생아를 대상으로 하였으며 출생 48시간 이후에 발뒤꿈치, 혹은 정맥혈액을 채취하여 특수여과지에 묻혀 건조시켰다. 건조 혈액여지를(Dried blood spot, DBS) 이용하여 탠덤 질량 분석법과 형광 면역 측정법을 사용하여 광범위 신생아 스크리닝 검사(NBS)를 실시하였다. 신생아 스크리닝 선별검사 프로그램은 갈락토오스 혈증, 선천성 갑상선 기능 저하(Congenital hypothyroidism, CH), 선천성 부신 과형성증(Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, CAH), 아미노산, 지방산 및 유기산 대사질환등 예방 가능한 질환 50여종을 선별하여 검사를 시행하였다. 결과: 광범위 신생아 스크리닝 검사(Extended NBS)를 통해 아미노산 대사질환 28예, 유기산 대사질환 75예, 지방산 대사질환 27예, 요소회로 대사질환 51예, CH 127예, CAH 14예, 갈락토스혈증 15예가 선별하여 확진검사로 진단되었다. 아미노산 대사 장애, 갈락토스혈증, CH, CAH 환자는 조기에 발견 치료 할 경우 예후가 더 좋았다. 단풍당뇨(MSUD) 환아에서는 조기 진단 치료로 90% 이상이 정상 성장 발달을 보였다. 그러나 유기산 혈증 환아에서는 32%에서 발달 지연 및 신경학적 휴유증이 관찰되었다. 지방산 대사 질환에서는 다양한 결과가 나타났다. 단쇄지방산(SCAD, EMA)와 중쇄지방산(MCA, MCAD) 환자는 예후가 좋았으나 초장쇄지방산(VLCAD) 환자는 대부분 심각한 신경학적 장애를 보이거나 사망하였다. 요소회로 대사질환(UCD) 환아는 조기진단과 치료에도 불구하고 75%가 심각한 신경학적 합병증과 높은 사망률을 경험했다. 결론: 전국적인 신생아 스크리닝(NBS) 프로그램은 국가적인 차원에서 전국민을 대상으로 포괄적인 검사, 관리, 치료가 필요하다. 이를 위하여 숙련된 의료진과 환아의 부모 혹은 관련된 가족에 대한 특수교육이 필요하다. Purpose: To follow up Korean patients with metabolic and endocrine disorders ascertained by Korea Genetics Research Center, and assess the long-term effectiveness of extended newborn screening program in Korea. Methods: From January 2000 to December 2017, tandem mass spectrometry and fluoroimmunoassay were employed in extended newborn screening (NBS). The NBS program obtained dried blood spots from 283,626 babies, 48 hours after birth, and screened for galactosemia, congenital hypothyroidism (CH), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and 50 preventable inborn errors of amino acid, fatty acid, and organic acid metabolism. Results: 28 cases of amino acid disorders, 75 cases of organic acid disorders, 27 cases of fatty acid disorders, 51 cases of urea cycle disorders, 127 cases of CH, 14 cases of CAH, and 15 cases of galactosemia were ascertained through NBS and subsequent confirmatory laboratory tests. Patients with amino acid metabolic disorders, galactosemia, CH, or CAH were more likely to have a better long-term outcome if detected early. Early management of MSUD led to much better outcome in over 90%. Despite early intervention, 32% of other organic acidemia cases still resulted in developmental delay and neurological problems. Fatty acid disorders showed varied results; those with EMA and MCAD had a good outcome, but those with VLCAD had serious neurological problems and considerably higher mortality. 75% with UCD experienced serious neurological complications and higher mortality. Conclusion: The nation-wide NBS program must be accompanied by comprehensive long-term management and physician and family education of inborn errors of metabolism for a better outcome.

Clinical Manifestations of Inborn Errors of the Urea Cycle and Related Metabolic Disorders during Childhood

Endo, Fumio,Matsuura, Toshinobu,Yanagita, Kaede,Matsuda, Ichiro The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic Disease 2005 대한유전성대사질환학회지 Vol.5 No.1

Various disorders cause hyperammonemia during childhood. Amongthem are those caused by inherited defects in urea synthesis and related metabolic pathways. These disorders can be grouped into two types: disorders of the enzymes that comprise the urea cycle, and disorders of the transporters or metabolites of theamino acids related to the urea cycle. Principal clinical features of these disorders are caused by elevated levels of blood ammonium. Additional disease-specific symptoms are related to the particular metabolic defect. These specific clinical manifestations are often due to an excess or lack of specific amino acids. Treatment of urea cycle disorders and related metabolic diseases consists of nutritional restriction of proteins, administration of specific amino acids, and use of alternative pathways for discarding excess nitrogen. Although combinations of these treatments are extensively employed, the prognosis of severe cases remains unsatisfactory. Liver transplantation is one alternative for which a better prognosis is reported.

Mutational Analysis of Korean Patients with Phenylketonuria

Koo, Soo Kyung,Lee, Kwang-Soo,Jung, Sung-Chul,Lee, Jong-Eun,Lee, Dong Hwan The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic Disease 2004 대한유전성대사질환학회지 Vol.4 No.1

Purpose Phenylketonuria is an inborn error of metabolism, which is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. PKU is resulting from deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase. PAH gene spans about 90 kb on chromosome 12q and comprises 13 exons. In order to define the genetic basis of PKU and the frequencies and distribution of PAH mutations in the Korean population, we analyzed PAH gene in independent 80 patients with PKU. Methods All 13 exons including exon-intron boundaries and 2 kb of 5' upstream region of the PAH gene were analyzed by PCR-direct sequencing methods. Results PAH gene analysis revealed 39 different mutations including 10 novel mutations. The novel mutations consisted of 9 missense mutations (P69S, G103S, N207D, T278S, P281A, L293M, G332V, S391I and A447P) and a novel splice site variant (IVS10-3C>G). R243Q, IVS4-1G>A, and E6-96A>G were the most relevant mutations and they accounted in the whole for 38% of the mutant alleles identified in this study. We also observed that. $BH_4$ responsibility was. associated with genotype of R241C, R53H and R408Q. Conc1ustion Our present study with 80 participants extends the previous results to more comprehensive understanding of PAH allele distribution and frequency in Koreans. Although Korean mutation profile of PAH is similar to those of the nearest oriental populations (Japanese, Chinese, and Taiwanese), several different characteristic features are revealed. The characterization of the genotype-phenotype relationship was also performed. Our data would be very useful information for diagnosis, genetic counseling and planning of dietary and therapeutic strategies in Korean PAH patients.

Recombinant Adeno-associated Virus-Mediated Gene Transfer in Homocystinuria Mice

박은숙,Park, Eun-Sook The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic Disease 2005 대한유전성대사질환학회지 Vol.5 No.1

Homocystinuria is a metabolic disorder caused by a deficiency of cystathionine ${\beta}$-synthase (CBS). Patients with homocystinuria show clinical symptoms such as mental retardation, lens dislocation, vascular disease with life-threatening thromboembolisms and skeletal deformities. Generally, the major treatments for CBS deficiency include pharmacologic doses of pyridoxine or dietary restriction of methionine. However, there is no effective treatment for this disease up till today and gene therapy can be an attractive novel approach to treatment of the disease. We investigated whether a recombinant adeno-associated virus could be used as a CBS gene transfer vector to reduce the excessive homocysteine level in the homocystinuria mouse model. Recombinant adeno-associated virus vector encoding the human CBS gene (rAAV-hCBS), driven by EF1-a promoter, was infused into CBS-deficient mice ($CBS^{-/-}$) via intramuscular (IM) and intraperitoneal (IP) injection. IP injection was more efficient than IM injection for prolongation of lives and reduction of plasma homocysteine levels. After 2 weeks of gene transfer by IP injection, serum homocysteine level was significantly decreased in treated mice compared with the age-matched controls and the life span was extended about 1.5 times. Also, increased expression of CBS gene was observed by immunohistochemical staining in livers of treated $CBS^{-/-}$ mice and microvesicular lipid droplets was decreased in cytoplasm of liver. These results demonstrate the possibility and efficacy of gene therapy by AAV gene transfer in homocystinuria mice.

Clinical and Biochemical Diagnosis in Children with Leigh Syndrome

이선호,전미나,이현주,박대영,김세훈,이영목,Lee, Sun Ho,Jeon, Mina,Lee, Hyun Joo,Park, Dae Young,Kim, Se Hoon,Lee, Young-Mock The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic Disease 2015 대한유전성대사질환학회지 Vol.15 No.2

Purpose: Deficits of the respiratory chain are reported to be the major cause of Leigh syndrome is said to be the underlying causes. The need for biochemical diagnosis to draw more accurate diagnosis or prognosis to support treatments is rapidly increasing. This study tried to analyze the aspects of clinical characteristics and biochemical diagnosis of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex (MRC) defect in Leigh syndrome, using methods of biochemical enzyme assay. Methods: We included total number of 47 patients who satisfied the clinical criteria of Leigh syndrome and confirmed by biochemical diagnosis. All those patients went through muscle biopsy to perform biochemical enzyme assay to analyze MRC enzyme in order to find the underlying cause of Leigh syndrome. Results: MRC I defect was seen in 23 (48.9%) cases taking the first place and MRC IV defect in 15 (31.9%) following it. There were 9 (19.2%) cases of combined MRC defect. Combined cases of type I and IV were detected in 7 (14.9%) patients while type I and V in 2 (4.3%). The onset age of symptom was less than 1 year old in 28 (59.6%). The most common early symptom, observed in 23 (48.9%), was delayed development, but there were other various neurological symptoms observed as well. In regard with the disease progression, 35 (74.5%) patients showed slowly progressive course, the one that progressed continuously but slowly over 2 years of period. As for Maximum motor development, 22 (46.8%) were bed-ridden state, most of them suffering serious delayed development. Patients showed various symptoms with different organs involved, though neuromuscular involvement was most prominent. Delayed development was seen in all cases. Multifocal lesion in brain MRI study was seen in 36 (76.6 %) cases, taking a greater percentage than 11 (23.4%) cases with single lesion. In MR spectroscopy study, the characteristic lactate peak of mitochondrial disease was identified in 20 (42.6%) patients. Conclusions: Further analysis of clinical and biochemical diagnosis on more extended group of patients with Leigh syndrome will enable us to improve diagnostic precision and to understand the natural course of mitochondrial disease.

Somatic Cell Analysis and Cobalamin Responsiveness Study in Ten Korean Patients with Methylmalonic Aciduria

임한혁,송웅주,김구환,김유미,장미영,길홍량,김숙자,Lim, Han Hyuk,Song, Wung Joo,Kim, Gu-Hwan,Watkins, David,Rosenblatt, David S.,Kim, Yoo-Mi,Chang, Mea Young,Kil, Hong Ryang,Kim, Sook Za The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic Disease 2019 대한유전성대사질환학회지 Vol.19 No.1

목적: 코발라민(Cobalamin)과 동반되지 않은 독립형 메틸말론산혈증(methylmalonic acidemia)은 프로피오네이트 대사 질환으로 상염색체 열성으로 유전된다. Methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MCM)효소발현에 관련된 유전자인 MMUT에는 유전자 결함에는 두 가지 아형이 있다. $Mut^0$은 효소 활성도가 완전히 없는 것이고 Mut-형은 효소활성도가 저하되어 있지만 hydroxocobalamin (OHCbl) 보충으로 잔여효소의 활성도가 증가될 수 있는 형이다. 본 연구의 목적은 한국인 MMA 환아에서 코발라민의 반응성과 돌연변이를 조사하는 것이다. 방법: 최적의 치료를 위해 MCM 활성도와 비타민 $B_{12}$ 반응성을 측정하기 위하여 섬유 아세포의 체세포 보완 분석을 사용하여 10명의 MMA 환자를 평가했다. MMUT 유전자는 MMA 돌연변이의 염기서열을 확인하였다. 결과: $^{14}C-propionate$의 첨가는 OHCbl에 반응이 없는 모든 환자에서 낮게 나타났다. $^{14}C-methyltetrahydrofolate$와 $^{57}Co-cyanocobalamin$의 투여 후 모두 정상범위 내에 있었다. 아데노 실 코발라민의 합성은 낮지 만 메틸 코발라민의 합성은 적절하였다. 보완 분석 결과 모든 환자들은 $mut^0$ 유형이었다. DNA 염기서열분석결과에서 2개의 새로운 돌연변이, p.Gln267Ter 및 p.Ile697Phe를 포함하여 12개의 상이한 MMUT 돌연변이를 확인하였다. 신생아에서 증상이 나타나며 $mut^0$ 형인 MMA 환자 10례 모두에서 코발라민 반응을 보이지 않았다. 결론: 본 연구에서는 모든 한국 MMA 환자에서 코발라민 반응을 시험한 결과 음성이었다. Purpose: Isolated methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder of propionate metabolism. There are two subtypes of MMUT gene defects. $Mut^0$ represents complete loss of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MCM) activity while mut- is associated with residual MCM activity, which can be stimulated by hydroxocobalamin (OHCbl) supplementation. The objective of this study is to investigate cobalamin responsiveness and mutations present in Korean MMA population. Methods: We evaluated 10 MMA patients using somatic cell complementation analysis on their fibroblasts to measure MCM activity and vitamin B12 responsiveness for the optimal treatment. MMUT gene was sequenced to identify the MMA mutations. Results: For all patients, the incorporation of $[^{14}C]-propionate$ was low, and there was no response to OHCbl. The incorporation of $[^{14}C]-methyltetrahydrofolate$ and $[^{57}Co]-CNCbl$ fell within the normal range. There was adequate synthesis of methylcobalamin while the synthesis of adenosylcobalamin was low. The complementation analysis showed all patients were $mut^0$. The sequence analysis identified 12 different MMUT mutations, including 2 novel mutations, p.Gln267Ter and p.Ile697Phe, were identified. All the patients in this study had neonatal onset of symptoms, belonged to $mut^0$ complementation class, and as a result, showed no cobalamin responsiveness. Conclusion: No Korean MMA patient showed cobalamin responsiveness.

Tandem Mass Spectrometric Analysis for Disorders in Amino, Organic and Fatty Acid Metabolism : 2 Years of SCL Experience in Korea

Yoon, Hye-Ran,Lee, Kyung Ryul The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic Disease 2003 대한유전성대사질환학회지 Vol.3 No.1

Background : The SCL began screening of newborns and high risk group blood spots with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) in April 2001. Our goal was to determine approximate prevalence of metabolic disorders, optimization of decision criteria for estimation of preventive effect with early diagnosis. This report describes the ongoing effort to identify more than 30 metabolic disorders by MS/MS in South Korea. Methods : Blood spot was collected from day 2 to 30 (mostly from day 2 to 10) after birth for newborn. Blood spot of high risk group was from the pediatric patients in NICU, developmental delay, mental retardation, strong family history of metabolic disorders. One punch (3.2 mm ID) of dried blood spots was extracted with $150{\mu}L$ of methanol containing isotopically labelled amino acids (AA) and acylcarnitines (AC) internal standards. Butanolic HCl was added and incubated at $65^{\circ}C$ for 15 min. The butylated extract was introduced into the inlet of MS/MS. Neutral loss of m/z 102 and parent ion mode of m/z 85 were set for the analyses of AA and AC, respectively. Diagnosis was confirmed by repeating acylcarnitine profile, urine organic acid and plasma amino acid analysis, direct enzyme assay, or molecular testing. Results : Approximately 31,000 neonates and children were screened and the estimated prevalence (newborn/high risk group), sensitivity, specificity and recall rate amounted to 1:2384/1:2066, 96.55%, 99.98%, and 0.73%, respectively. Confirmed 28 (0.09%) multiple metabolic disorders (newborn/high risk) were as follows; 13 amino acid disorders [classical PKU (3/4), BH4 deficient-hyperphenylalaninemia (0/1), Citrullinemia (1/0), Homocystinuria (0/2), Hypermethioninemia (0/1), Tyrosinemia (1/0)], 8 organic acidurias [Propionic aciduria (2/1), Methylmalonic aciduria (0/1), Isovaleric aciduria (1/1), 3-methylcrotonylglycineuria (1/0), Glutaric aciduria type1 (1/0)], 7 fatty acid oxidation disorders [LCHAD def. (2/2), Mitochondrial TFP def. (0/1), VLCAD def. (1/0), LC3KT def. (0/1). Conclnsion : The relatively normal development of 10 patients with metabolic disorders among newborns (except for the expired) demonstrates the usefulness of newborn screening by MS/MS for early diagnosis and medical intervention. However, close coordination between the MS/MS screening laboratory and the metabolic clinic/biochmical geneticists is needed to determine proper decision of screening parameters, confirmation diagnosis, follow-up scheme and additional tests.

Clinical Features, Response to Treatment, Prognosis, and Molecular Characterization in Korean Patients with Inherited Urea Cycle Defects

Yoo, Han-Wook,Kim, Gu-Hwan,Seo, Eul-Ju The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic Disease 2002 대한유전성대사질환학회지 Vol.2 No.1

The urea cycle, consisting of a series of six enzymatic reactions, plays key roles to prevent the accumulation of toxic nitrogenous compound and synthesize arginine de novo. Five well characterized diseases have been described, resulting from an enzymatic defect in the biosynthesis of one of the normally expressed enzyme. This presentation will focus on two representative diseases; ornithine transcarbamylase(OTC) deficiency and citrullinemia(argininosuccinate synthetase deficiency). OTC deficiency is one of the most common inborn error of urea cycle, which is inherited in X-linked manner. We identified 17 different mutations in 20 unrelated Korean patients with OTC deficiency; L9X, R26P, R26X, T44I, R92X, G100R, R141Q, G195R, M205T, H214Y, D249G, R277W, F281S, 853 del C, R320X, V323M and 10 bp del at nt. 796-805. These mutations occur at well conserved nucleotide sequences across species or CpG hot spot. The L9X and R26X lead to the disruption of leader sequences, required for directing mitochondrial localization of the OTC precursor. Their phenotypes are severe, and neonatal onset. The G100R, R277W and V323M mutations were uniquely identified in patients with late onset OTC deficiency. The other genotypes are associated with neonatal onset. Out of 20 patients with OTC deficiency, only 6 patients are alive; two were liver transplanted, and normal in growth and development at 2, 4 years after transplantation respectively. Citrullinemia is an autosomal recessive disease, caused by the mutations in the argininosuccinate synthetase(ASS) gene. We identified in 3 major mutations in 11 unrelated Korean patients with citrullinemia; G324S, $IVS6^{-2}$ A to G, and 67 bp ins at nt 1125-1126. Among these, the 67 base pair insertion mutation is novel. The allele frequency of each mutation is; G324S(45%), IVS6-2 A to G(32%), and 67 base pair insertion(14%). All patients are diagnosed at neonatal or infantile age. Interestingly, two patients presented with stroke like episode. Out of 11 patients, 5 patients died. Among 6 patients alive, one patient was successfully liver transplanted.

A Newborn Case of Maple Syrup Urine Disease Type 1B Presenting with Lethargy and Central Apnea

강영태,최성환,고정민,신승한,김이경,김한석,Kang, Youngtae,Choi, Sung Hwan,Ko, Jung Min,Shin, Seung Han,Kim, Ee-Kyung,Kim, Han-Suk The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic Disease 2018 대한유전성대사질환학회지 Vol.18 No.2

단풍시럽뇨병은 드문 상염색체 열성 대사 질환으로 측쇄 알파 케토산 탈수소효소 돌연변이에 의해 발생되는 질환이다. 측쇄 아미노산인 류신, 이소류신, 발린의 분해가 되지 않아 몸에 축적이 되고 식욕 저하, 구토, 기면, 이상행동, 발작 및 심한 경우 죽음을 초래한다. 세계적으로 단풍시럽뇨병의 유병율은 185,000명당 한명 이지만 한국에서는 극히 드물어 1,148,413명당 한명으로 보고된다. 이 증례의 여아는 만삭에 2.54 kg로 주산기 특이 병력 없이 출생한 첫째 아이로 특이 가족력 없었던 환아이다. 생후 10일경 식욕저하, 구토, 기면으로 타병원에서 대증치료 중에 선천성 대사이상 선별 검사 결과 상류신이 높아 전원 되었다. 환아는 기면, 혼수를 보였고 중추 수면무호흡으로 인공호흡기를 적용하였으며 소변에서 단풍시럽 냄새를 보였다. 뇌 초음파, 뇌 자기공명영상에서 뇌부종 소견을 보였으며 혈중아미노산 검사상 류신, 이소류신, 발린의 수치가 정상치보다 매우 높았다. 측쇄 아미노산 없는 특수분유를 시작했고 뇌부종으로 만니톨과 이뇨제를 사용했으며 고암모니아혈증으로 벤조산을 투약하였다. 경련 예방을 위해 페노바비탈을 투약하였으며 측쇄 알파 케토산 탈수소효소의 조효소인 타이아민 보충을 시작하였다. 치료함에 따라 혈중 측쇄 아미노산 수치가 감소하였고 뇌부종의 감소가 확인되었다. 29일 간의 신생아중환자실 처지 후 환아는 호흡 및 구강 식이 진행이 안정적이었고 병동으로 전동 후 퇴원하였다. 환아는 현재 5개월로 페노바비탈을 점차 줄여가고 있으며 측쇄 아미노산 수치도 안정적으로 유지되고 있다. 고개 가누기는 완벽하지 않지만 옹알이 및 뒤집기 가능하며 따라잡기 성장 및 발달을 보이고 있다. 유전학적 검사에서는 두 개의 BCKDHB 이형접합 돌연변이 p.Ala32Phefs*48와 p.Val130Phe를 확인 하였으며, 가족 검사를 통하여 부모 모두 보인자임을 확인하였다. 이 두 변이는 모두 이전에 한국에서 보고되지 않은 변이이다. 단풍시럽뇨병의 빠른 진단과 즉각적이고 적절한 치료가 환아의 생명을 유지하고 예후를 호전시킴을 본 증례를 통하여 다시 한 번 확인할 수 있다. Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD, OMIM#248600) is a rare and autosomal recessively-inherited metabolic disorder that is caused by mutations in the branched-chain ${\alpha}$-ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) genes. It prevents the normal breakdown of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), such as leucine, isoleucine, and valine, and leads to poor feeding, lethargy, abnormal movements, seizure, and death if untreated. Here, we report the case of a Korean newborn of biochemically- and genetically-confirmed MSUD manifesting lethargy and central apnea, the acute state of which was successfully treated. The molecular genetic investigation revealed two novel heterozygous mutations (p.Ala32Phefs*48 and p.Val 130Phe) in BCKDHB, and both parents were confirmed as carriers. We emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and prompt introduction of specific treatment for MSUD in life saving and prognosis.

Systematic Approach for the Diagnosis of IEM

이홍진,Lee, Hong Jin The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic Disease 2014 대한유전성대사질환학회지 Vol.14 No.2

유전성대사장애질환의 진단과 치료는 최근들어 비약적인 발전을 하고 있으며, 치료가 불가능하여 대증적인 치료만이 가능하였던 많은 병들이 치료가 가능하 여지고 있다. 이러한 사실은 비가역적인 후유증이 생기기전의 조기진단의 중요성을 더 크게 한다. 유전성 대사장애질환은 현재 밝혀진 것만 하더라도 수백 가지의 질병에 이르며, 가까운 미래에 그 수는 수천에 이를 것으로 전망되고 있다. 이와 같은 질병의 다양성과 그 증상 및 임상적발현의 다양성은 임상의들이 정확한 진단에 이르는데 크나큰 장애요인이 되고 있다. 신생아기와 영아기 초기의 임상적인 발현은 비특이적이지만 나이가 들어가면서 다양한 특징적인 증상을 나타내게 된다. 같은 질병일지라도 잔류효소농도(residual enzyme activity)가 거의 없는 경우에는 신생아기 또는 영아기 등 이른시기에 증상이 나타나지만 잔류효소농도가 어느 정도 남아 있는 경우에는 늦게 소아기 또는 성인기에 증상을 나타내며, 유기산이나 지방산대사이상의 경우에는 이화작용이 증가되는 스트레스상태에서 갑작스런 악화를 보일 수도 있다. 본 논문에서는 이러한 다양한 증상과 검사소견들을 정리하여 보고, 그러한 증상을 일으키는 주된 질병들을 정리하여 감별진단과 검사를 체계적으로 접근할 수 있도록 하였다. Recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) have improved substantially the prognosis of many of these diseases, if diagnosed early enough before irreversible damage occurs. Diseases of inborn errors of metabolism are so diverse over several hundred disease up to now and may be several thousand in near future, and these diversities of IEMs make clinicians embarassed. The signs of neurological dysfunctions of many IEMs manifesting in the neonatal period is very nonspecific, such as poor feeding, poor sucking, apnea or tachypnea, vomiting, hypertonia, hypotonia, seizure, letharginess, consciousness change and coma. But after neonatal period, the signs of neurological deficits become specific and localized. The results of routine basal laboratory tests such as metabolic acidosis, hyperammonemia, lactic acidemia, ketonemia or hyperuricemia can give very important clinical clues for the diagnosis of IEMs. Even no abnormal findings on routine laboratory test could be very important clue for NKH, sulfite oxidase deficiency and peroxisomal disorders. These various clinical manifestations of these diverse diseases can be categorized and summarized. This makes it essential that the practicing clinicians be familiar with the clinical presentations and symptomatic and systematic approaches of these disorders. Characteristic clinical presentations, methods of symptomatic and systematic approach and typing of various disorders is discussed in this review.