General Condition Information
Other Names
- Tyrosinemia
- Tyrosinemia III
- Tyrosinemia type III
Condition Type
Birth Prevalence
- It is unknown how many babies are born with this rare condition each year in the United States.
Screening Finding
What is tyrosinemia, type iii
Tyrosinemia type III is an inherited (genetic) condition that prevents the body from processing proteins correctly. Your body breaks down the protein that you eat into parts called amino acids. Your body then uses those amino acids to make other proteins that it needs to function.
There are several enzymes in your body that break down an amino acid called tyrosine. The process of breaking down tyrosine happens in multiple steps. Each step needs a specific enzyme. In tyrosinemia, one of these enzymes is not working well. Either the body does not make enough enzyme, or does not make the enzyme correctly. People with tyrosinemia have trouble with the process of breaking down tyrosine.
There are different types of tyrosinemia: type I, type II, and type III. The type your baby has depends on which enzyme in the process is not working.
In tyrosinemia type III, the enzyme 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) is not working. As a result, tyrosine and other related substances build up in your baby’s body. This buildup can damage the brain. Without treatment, this damage can lead to the signs and symptoms of the condition.
Newborn Screening and Follow-Up
Newborn screening for tyrosinemia type III is done using a small amount of blood collected from your baby’s heel. To learn more about this process, visit the Blood Spot Screening page.
During screening, a special machine measures how much tyrosine is in your baby’s blood. Babies with high levels of tyrosine might have tyrosinemia type III.
If your baby’s blood spot screening result for tyrosinemia type III is out-of-range, your baby’s health care provider will contact you. Together, you will discuss next steps and follow-up plans.
An out-of-range screening result does not mean that your baby definitely has the condition. It does mean that your baby needs more follow-up testing. To learn more about screening results, visit the Blood Spot Screening Results page.
Your baby may need the following tests after an out-of-range screening result:
- Blood and urine tests
- Genetic testing using a blood sample
You should complete any recommended follow-up testing as soon as possible. Babies with this condition can have serious health problems soon after birth if they are not diagnosed and treated quickly.
False-positive newborn screening results for this condition can happen. Babies who are born early (premature) may have out-of-range results. Also, babies with an immature liver, liver disease, or jaundice may have false-positive results.
In some cases, babies have temporary (transient) high levels of tyrosine that go away over time. This is called transient tyrosinemia of the newborn. It is a harmless condition and is not a lifelong genetic condition like tyrosinemia type I, II, and III.
Condition Details
Newborn screening helps babies lead healthier lives. If your baby has an out-of-range result, follow up with your health care provider quickly. It is important to follow their instructions. Your baby may need to get treatment right away, even if they are not showing signs or symptoms. In some cases, your baby’s health care provider may decide it is best to watch (monitor) your baby to decide next steps. Careful monitoring and early treatment will help your baby stay as healthy as possible.
Signs of tyrosinemia type III can vary greatly and are not well-known. These signs may be triggered by eating foods or milk that the body cannot break down or by going long periods without eating. The symptoms can also be caused by illnesses or infections.
Signs of the condition may include the following:
- Poor coordination and balance
- Seizures (epilepsy)
The condition is caused by a change in the HPD gene. This gene gives the body instructions for making the enzyme 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD). This enzyme helps break down the amino acid tyrosine.
When the HPD gene is changed, the body cannot break down enough tyrosine. As a result, tyrosine and related substances can build up and cause damage to the body.
Tyrosinemia type III is a genetic condition. Babies inherit it from their biological (birth) parents. To learn more about genetic conditions, visit MedlinePlus Genetics.
- Tyrosinemia type III is an autosomal recessive condition. Babies inherit the condition when each parent passes down a nonworking HPD gene to their baby. Only babies with two nonworking HPD genes—one from the mom and one from the dad—have this condition.
- People with one working copy and one nonworking copy of the HPD gene are called carriers.
- Carriers do not have or develop the condition. However, they may pass down a nonworking copy of the gene to their children.
- If two parents are carriers of a nonworking copy of the HPD gene, they have a 1 in 4 chance of having a child with tyrosinemia type III.
- Carriers for tyrosinemia type III often do not know they are carriers before having a child with the condition. In most cases, families have no history of the condition until the birth of a child with tyrosinemia type III.
- Parents who already have a child with tyrosinemia type III still have a 1 in 4 chance of having another child with tyrosinemia type III. This 1 in 4 chance stays the same for all future children.
- Genetic counselors and medical geneticists can help families learn about this condition and the chance of having children with it. Visit the National Society of Genetic Counselors to find a genetic counselor and the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics to find a medical geneticist.
Treatment and Management
It is important to talk to your health care provider about which treatment(s) are best for your baby. The goal of treatment is to prevent the health problems caused by this condition.
Treatments may include the following:
- Diet low in protein
- Special foods and formulas for children with tyrosinemia type III
Children who receive early and ongoing treatment for tyrosinemia type III can have healthy growth and development.