MSUD

Essay by PaperNerd ContributorCollege, Undergraduate January 2002

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Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) Maple Syrup Urine Disease My disease is called Maple Syrup Urine Disease. This was declared as a disease in 1954. It is a very rare disease. Maple syrup urine disease is called MSUD for short. It is called msud because of the sweet, burnt sugar, or maple syrup smell of the urine.

This disease affects the way the body processes certain parts of protein. These affected areas are the three branched-chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine. These amino acids pile up in the blood causing a poisonous effect that interferes with brain functions. Not only does it affect the smell of urine, but it also can do a lot of damage.

This disease also affects the function of other parts in the body. It can do these damages also if not treated. It can cause mental retardation, physical disabilities, and death. Not all cases of MSUD end with death.

In fact ¼ of the cases do.

MSUD is believed to be in all ethnic groups worldwide. The chance of a newborn in the United States of America getting MSUD is one out of two hundred twenty five thousand. MSUD is an inherited disorder. That means it is in the family genes. MSUD skips generations.

To treat this disease, it must be caught early. Treatment involves a difficult approach of maintaining metabolic control. A special controlled diet is the best daily treatment. This requires careful monitoring of protein. The diet is considered medical food, which provides nutrients and the amino acids. If not caught early, it may cause very bad burning sensation.

This disease affects the men worst then the women. The urine has a misbalance, which may make it difficult for men to reproduce. Men that have had the worst case of Maple Syrup Urine Disease have to be circumcised for a different treatment. This may only happen to men when not caught early enough. The women do not urinate and reproduce from the same canal. This makes it easier for women to treat it. This may only happen to men when not caught early enough.