[Fish odour--could be a sign of trimethylaminuria]

Ugeskr Laeger. 2010 Nov 22;172(47):3268-9.
[Article in Danish]

Abstract

We present a case with a ten-year-old girl with trimethylaminuria (TMAU). Primary TMAU is caused by a deficiency of flavin monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) due to mutations in the FMO3-gene. Patients suffering from TMAU show an impaired enzymatic oxidation of fish-smelling trimethylamine, and their excretion of this amine in body fluids produces an unpleasant body odour. TMAU is also seen secondary to e.g. liver diseases. It remains unknown if TMAU causes other problems than malodour, and today social and psychological problems are considered the most important consequence. Treatment includes a low-choline diet and antibiotics.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Metabolic Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Metabolic Diseases / genetics
  • Metabolic Diseases / therapy
  • Methylamines / urine*
  • Mutation
  • Odorants*
  • Oxygenases / genetics*
  • Syndrome

Substances

  • Methylamines
  • Oxygenases
  • dimethylaniline monooxygenase (N-oxide forming)