Neonatal encephalopathy with a pungent body odour.
A neonate had transient unexplained bleeding into the gut, severe encephalopathy, and an abnormal pungent body odour. An inherited metabolic defect was excluded. The malodour was due to methanethiol and hydrogen sulphide, identified in urine. These sulphur compounds may have contributed to encephalopathy. Colonic bacteria were the probable source.
Walker
V
V
Department of Chemical Pathology, Southampton General Hospital.
Mills
G A
GA
Fortune
P M
PM
Wheeler
R
R
D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000652:urine*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000652:urine*; D005285:Fermentation; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000652:urine*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009812:Odorants; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000652:urine*
D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; C005231:methylmercaptan; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide