PLASMA AMINO ACID DISTURBANCE IN INFANCY .I. HYPERMETHIONINAEMIA AND TRANSIENT TYROSINAEMIA

Transient hypermethioninaemia was detected in 22 infants during a prospective screening survey for aminoacidaemias. All the infants were artificially fed, and where full information was available, the daily protein intake was in excess of 4 g./kg. Three cases of more prolonged hypermethioninaemia are described, in each of which there was a significant degree of anaemia and a rise in alkaline phosphatase. There is no evidence as yet that a temporary hypermethioninaemia produces any permanent harm.