| calcium deficiency | A low blood calcium (hypocalcaemia) makes the nervous system highly irritable with tetany (spasms of the hands and feet, muscle cramps, abdominal cramps, overly active reflexes, etc.). Chronic calcium deficiency contributes to poor mineralization of bones, soft bones (osteomalacia) and osteoporosis; and, in children, rickets and impaired growth. Food sources of calcium include dairy foods, some leafy green vegetables such as broccoli and collards, canned salmon, clams, oysters, calcium-fortified foods, and tofu. According to the National Academy of Sciences, adequate intake of calcium is 1 gram daily for both men and women. The upper limit for calcium intake is 2.5 grams daily. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| carbamoylphosphate synthetase deficiency | <biochemistry> Carbamoylphosphate synthetase is the initial enzyme of the urea cycle, catalysing the synthesis of carbamoylphosphate from ammonia, bicarbonate and ATP as the first step of ammonia detoxification. The enzyme is an intramitochondrial form called CPS I. A different isozyme found in the cytoplasm, called CPS II, is much less active and apparently not involved in the urea cycle. The deficiency state is autosomal recessive and presents in infancy with massive hyperammonaemia and neurologic deficits in survivors. Diagnosis is suggested by the blood biochemistry and confirmed by specific enzyme assay on liver or rectal biopsy. Prenatal diagnosis by molecular methods has been used successfully in informative families. Inheritance: autosomal recessive. (07 Apr 1998) |
| carbonic anhydrase II deficiency syndrome | <syndrome> An inherited deficiency of carbonic anhydrase II that results in osteopetrosis and metabolic acidosis. Synonym: osteopetrosis with renal tubular acidosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| g-6-p-d deficiency | <biochemistry> An inherited condition that results in a deficiency in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Particular drugs (sulphonamides) can exacerbate this problem. The result is haemolytic anaemia. (27 Sep 1997) |
| galactokinase deficiency | An inborn error of metabolism due to congenital deficiency of galactokinase, resulting in increased blood galactose concentration (galactosaemia), cataracts, hepatomegaly, and mental deficiency; autosomal recessive inheritance. Galactose epimerase deficiency and galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase deficiency produce much the same clinical picture. (05 Mar 2000) |
| galactokinase deficiency galactosaemia | An autosomal recessive disorder resulting in an accumulation of galactose and galactitol. (05 Mar 2000) |
| magnesium deficiency | Can occur due to inadequate intake or impaired intestinal absorption of magnesium. Low magnesium (hypomagnesaemia) is often associated with low calcium (hypocalcaemia) and low potassium (hypokalaemia). Deficiency of magnesium causes increased irritability of the nervous system with tetany (spasms of the hands and feet, muscular twitching and cramps, spasm of the larynx, etc.). According to the national academy of sciences, the recommended dietary allowances of magnesium are 420 milligrams per day for men and 320 milligrams per day for women. The upper limit of magnesium as supplements is 350 milligrams daily, in addition to the magnesium from food and water. (12 Dec 1998) |
| glucocerebrosidase deficiency | Causes Gaucher's disease (type 1), a progressive genetic disease due to an enzyme defect. The enzyme, glucocerebrosidase, is needed to break down the chemical glucocerebroside. The enzyme defect in persons with Gaucher's disease (GD) leads to the accumulation of glucocerebroside in the spleen, liver, and lymph nodes. The most common early sign is enlargement of the spleen (located in the upper left abdomen). Other signs include low red blood cell counts (anaemia), a decrease in blood clotting cells (platelets), increased pigmentation of the skin, and a yellow fatty spot on the white of the eye (a pinguecula). Severe bone involvement can lead to pain and collapse of the bone of the hips, shoulders, and spine. The GD gene is on chromosome 1. The disease is a recessive trait. Both parents carry a GD gene and transmit it for their child with the disease. The parents' risk of a child with the disease is 1 in 4 with each pregnancy. This type of Gaucher's disease (noncerebral juvenile Gaucher's disease) is most common in Ashkenazi Jews (of European origin) and is the most common genetic disease among Jews in the United States. (12 Dec 1998) |
| vitamin a deficiency | A nutritional condition produced by a deficiency of vitamin a in the diet, characterised by night blindness and other ocular manifestations such as dryness of the conjunctiva and later of the cornea (xerophthalmia). Vitamin a deficiency is a very common problem worldwide, particularly in developing countries as a consequence of famine or shortages of vitamin a-rich foods. In the united states it is found among the urban poor, the elderly, alcoholics, and patients with malabsorption. (12 Dec 1998) |
| vitamin B12 deficiency | A form of anaemia (low red blood cell counts) that results when the bone marrow fails to produce adequate numbers of red blood cells due to a deficiency in vitamin B12. Intrinsic factor, necessary for normal B12 absorption, may be the underlying cause for B12 deficiency if is not produced in the gastric glands (in the stomach). (27 Sep 1997) |
| vitamin b 12 deficiency | A nutritional condition produced by a deficiency of vitamin b 12 in the diet, characterised by megaloblastic anaemia. Since vitamin b 12 is not present in plants, humans have obtained their supply from animal products, from multivitamin supplements in the form of pills, and as additives to food preparations. A wide variety of neuropsychiatric abnormalities is also seen in vitamin b 12 deficiency and appears to be due to an undefined defect involving myelin synthesis. (12 Dec 1998) |
| vitamin B6 deficiency | Member of the water soluble B vitamin group. Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine, is active in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. It is also a necessary part of haemoglobin synthesis. B6 deficiency results in retarded growth and a peripheral neuropathy. (27 Sep 1997) |
| vitamin C deficiency | A disease due to the deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Symptoms include weakness, anaemia, spongy gums and mucocutaneous bleeding (mouth ulcers). Synonym: scurvy. (27 Sep 1997) |
| vitamin D deficiency | A vitamin D deficiency disease of infancy or childhood with a disturbance of the normal process of ossification and bone growth. Often manifests with bone deformity. (27 Sep 1997) |
| vitamin e deficiency | A nutritional condition produced by a deficiency of vitamin e in the diet, characterised by posterior column and spinocerebellar tract abnormalities, areflexia, ophthalmoplegia, and disturbances of gait, proprioception, and vibration. In premature infants vitamin e deficiency is associated with haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytosis, oedema, intraventricular haemorrhage, and increasing risk of retrolental fibroplasia and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. An apparent inborn error of vitamin e metabolism, named familial isolated vitamin e deficiency, has recently been identified. (cecil textbook of medicine, 19th ed, p1181) (12 Dec 1998) |