Case Study
GF is a 10-month-old infant with a urea cycle disorder.GF is admitted into the hospital due to a hyperammonemic crisis.
LT: 25.5 inches WT: 16.5 #
-Because of the nature of this disorder, the registered dietitian will provide which amino acid supplement?

Question

Case Study
GF is a 10-month-old infant with a urea cycle disorder.GF is admitted into the hospital due to a hyperammonemic crisis.
LT: 25.5 inches     WT: 16.5 #
-Because of the nature of this disorder, the registered dietitian will provide which amino acid supplement?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Urea cycle disorder leads to the inability to break down ammonia generated from protein metabolism. As a result, there is an increase in serum ammonia levels, resulting in a hyperammonemic crisis. Arginine is an essential amino acid in the urea cycle, and its supplementation is necessary to treat hyperammonemia in patients with urea cycle disorders. Therefore, the registered dietitian will provide an arginine supplement to GF. Arginine is the amino acid supplement that is essential in the urea cycle and is necessary for the production of urea, which is needed to remove excess ammonia from the body. Glutamine can also be beneficial, but arginine is the more important supplement in the treatment of hyperammonemia in a urea cycle disorder. Tyrosine and leucine are not directly involved in the urea cycle and would not be the appropriate supplement in this case.

Case Study GF Is a 10-Month-Old Infant with a Urea Cycle Disorder.GF