Hartnup disorder is an inherited metabolic condition that involves the transport of certain amino acids (for example, tryptophan and histidine) in the small intestine and kidneys.

Hartnup disorder is possibly the most common metabolic condition involving amino acids. It is an inherited condition. A child must inherit a copy of the defective gene from both parents in order to be seriously affected.

The condition usually starts between ages 3 - 5 years.

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Hartnup disorder Symptoms

Review Date: 09/10/2010
Reviewed By: Chad Haldeman-Englert, MD, Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)