What is short-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency?
Short-chain acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) dehydrogenase deficiency (SCAD) is a rare condition that prevents the body from converting certain fats into energy, especially during periods without food (fasting). People with this disorder are not able to break down a certain group of fats called short-chain fatty acids efficiently. Some affected infants will exhibit vomiting, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), a lack of energy (lethargy), poor feeding, and failure to gain weight and grow at the expected rate (failure to thrive). Other features of this disorder may include poor muscle tone (hypotonia), seizures, developmental delays, and a small head size (microcephaly). The symptoms of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency may be triggered by periods of fasting or during illnesses such as viral infections. In some cases, signs and symptoms may not appear until adulthood, when some individuals may develop muscle weakness and wasting. Other people with gene mutations that can cause this disorde
