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Short-Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (SCADD)

Other Names

Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase short chain (ACADS)

Diagnosis Coding

E71.312, short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency

Disorder Category

A fatty acid oxidation disorder

Screening

Finding

Elevated C4 (butyrylcarnitine)

Tested By

Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS); sensitivity=100%; specificity=99.99% [Schulze: 2003]

Overview

During prolonged fasting and periods of increased energy demands (fever, stress, vomiting, diarrhea), energy production increasingly relies on fat metabolism. Because short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (SCADD) (the result of an intramitochondrial defect in the beta-oxidation of fatty acids) may impair this form of energy production, metabolic crisis may result. However, for reasons that are not yet understood, most children with SCADD never have symptoms and are usually healthy. This condition usually requires no treatment.

Incidence

1:83,300 [Schulze: 2003]

Inheritance

Autosomal recessive

Maternal & Family History

SCADD may be associated with maternal acute fatty liver of pregnancy and HELLP syndrome.

Prenatal Testing

DNA testing or enzyme analysis by amniocentesis or CVS

Clinical Characteristics

The impact of treatment is unknown. Most patients identified by newborn screening will be asymptomatic; however, some affected infants may present with:
  • Vomiting
  • Lethargy
  • Seizures
  • Hypoketotic hypoglycemia
Subsequent symptoms may occur including:
  • Failure to thrive
  • Muscle weakness
  • Developmental delay
  • Seizures
  • Metabolic acidosis
An adult form of SCADD affects only the muscles and may cause:
  • Pain and weakness, especially after exertion
  • Episodes of nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath
The relationship of the above symptoms to SCADD is not clear and in some cases other causes have been identified. Milder variants of this condition are very frequent in the general population and usually do not require treatment. Even severe forms usually cause no symptoms even though they might aggravate co-existing conditions. Treatment consists of carnitine supplementation, low-fat diet, and fasting avoidance. Again, this is rarely needed.

Follow-up Testing after Positive Screen

Follow-up usually involves a quantitative plasma acylcarnitine profile, urine organic acids (increased ethylmalonic acid), and urine acylglycine analysis. SCADD must be differentiated from other causes of elevated C4, such as ethylmalonic encephalopathy, which is a much more serious condition and isobutyrylglycinuria, a very rare condition associated in 1 case with cardiomyopathy.

Primary Care Management

Upon Notification of the + Screen

  • Contact the family and evaluate the infant for poor feeding, vomiting, and lethargy.
  • Provide emergency treatment/referral for signs or symptoms of hypoglycemia, lethargy, and metabolic acidosis.
  • To confirm the diagnosis, work with the following service(s): see all Newborn Screening Programs services providers (3) in our database.
  • For evaluation and ongoing collaborative management, consult the following service(s): see all Pediatric Genetics services providers (6) in our database.

If the Diagnosis is Confirmed

Specialty Care Collaboration

Refer for initial consultation and ongoing collaboration with the following service(s): see all Pediatric Genetics services providers (6) in our database. A dietician may work with the family to devise an optimal approach to dietary management.

Resources

Information & Support

For Professionals

Short-Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (GeneReviews)
An expert-authored, peer-reviewed, current disease description that applies genetic testing to diagnosis and management information; sponsored by the U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Short-Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (OMIM)
Extensive review of literature providing technical information for providers on genetic disorders; Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man site, hosted by Johns Hopkins University.

National Newborn Screening & Global Resource Center (NNSGRC)
Fact sheets, data reports, publications, and information for clinicians about genetic screening that includes links to state genetic contacts.

Genetics in Primary Care Institute (AAP)
The goal of this site is to increase collaboration in the care of children with known or suspected genetic disorders. It includes health supervision guidelines and other useful resources; represents a collaboration among the Health Resources & Services Administration, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

For Parents and Patients

Short-chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (Genetics Home Reference)
Excellent, detailed review of condition for patients and families; sponsored by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Short-Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency - Information for Parents (STAR-G)
A fact sheet, written by a genetic counselor and reviewed by metabolic and genetic specialists, for families who have received an initial diagnosis of this newborn disorder; Screening, Technology and Research in Genetics.

Baby's First Test: SCADD (Genetic Alliance)
Information about early signs, follow-up testing, treatment, accessing care, and expected outcomes. Provides links to support services.

Fatty Oxidation Disorders (FOD) Family Support Group
Information for families about fatty acid oxidation disorders, support groups, coping, finances, and links to other sites.

Tools

ACT Sheet for Elevated C4 Acylcarnitine (ACMG) (PDF Document 349 KB)
Contains short-term recommendations for clinical follow-up of the newborn who has screened positive; American College of Medical Genetics.

Confirmatory Algorithm for Elevated C4 Acylcarnitine (ACMG)
Resource for clinicians to help confirm diagnosis; American College of Medical Genetics.

Short-Chain Acyl-CoA Deficiency Acute Illness Protocol (NECMP)
A guideline for health care professionals treating the sick infant/child who has previously been diagnosed with SCADD, a fatty acid oxidation disorder (FAOD); developed under the direction of Dr. Harvey Levy, Senior Associate in Medicine/Genetics at Children’s Hospital Boston, and Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, for the New England Consortium of Metabolic Programs.

Services

Genetics clinic services throughout the US can be found through the Genetics Clinic Services Search Engine (ACMG).

Newborn Screening Programs

See all Newborn Screening Programs services providers (3) in our database.

Pediatric Genetics

See all Pediatric Genetics services providers (6) in our database.

For other services related to this condition, browse our Services categories or search our database.

Helpful Articles

PubMed search for short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency in children

Viscomi C, Burlina AB, Dweikat I, Savoiardo M, Lamperti C, Hildebrandt T, Tiranti V, Zeviani M.
Combined treatment with oral metronidazole and N-acetylcysteine is effective in ethylmalonic encephalopathy.
Nat Med. 2010;16(8):869-71. PubMed abstract / Full Text
Dual treatment of oral metronidazole and N-acetylcysteine caused marked clinical improvement in five affected children, with hardly any adverse or side effects.

Authors

Author: Nicola Longo, MD, Ph.D. - 7/2011
Reviewing Author: Nicola Longo, MD, Ph.D. - 7/2017
Content Last Updated: 7/2017

Page Bibliography

Schulze A, Lindner M, Kohlmuller D, Olgemoller K, Mayatepek E, Hoffmann GF.
Expanded newborn screening for inborn errors of metabolism by electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry: results, outcome, and implications.
Pediatrics. 2003;111(6 Pt 1):1399-406. PubMed abstract