Alkaptonuria

Content provided by National Organization for Rare Disorders

Important

It is possible that the main title of the report Alkaptonuria is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

• Alcaptonuria (alternate spelling for Alkaptonuria)
• Alkaptonuric Ochronosis
• Hereditary Alkaptonuria
• Homogentisic Acid Oxidase Deficiency
• Homogentisic Acidura
• Ochronosis
• Ochronotic Arthritis

Disorder Subdivisions

• None

General Discussion

Alkaptonuria is a rare hereditary disorder in which homogentisic acid accumulates in the body and destroys connective tissue and bone, creating a condition called ochronosis. Symptoms generally begin during the second or third decade of life, and may progress to incapacitating bone and joint disease by the sixth to eighth decade of life. The condition is characterized by the excretion of large volumes of dark colored urine. The darkened urine is the result of the exposure to the air of homogentisic acid that accumulates in the urine.

Resources

CLIMB (Children Living with Inherited Metabolic Diseases)

Climb Building

176 Nantwich Road

Crewe, Intl CW2 6BG

United Kingdom

Tel: +44 870 7700 325

Fax: +44 870 7700 327

Email: info@climb.org.uk

Internet: http://www.CLIMB.org.uk



March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation

1275 Mamaroneck Avenue

White Plains, NY 10605

Tel: (914)428-7100

Fax: (914)997-4763

Tel: (888)663-4637

Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com

Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com



NIH/National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse

1 AMS Circle

Bethesda, MD 20892-3675

USA

Tel: 3014954484

Fax: 3017186366

Tel: 8772264267

TDD: 3015652966

Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov

Internet: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info



MUMS (Mothers United for Moral Support, Inc) National Parent-to-Parent Network

150 Custer Court

Green Bay, WI 54301-1243

USA

Tel: 9203365333

Fax: 9203390995

Tel: 8773365333

Email: mums@netnet.net

Internet: http://www.netnet.net/mums/



Alkaptonuria Society, LTD

12 High Beeches

Court Hey

Roby Road

Childwall, Liverpool, L16 39A

UK

Tel: 0151-737-1862

Fax: 0151-737-1862

Email: aku.aps@tiscali.co.uk

Internet: http://www.alkaptonuria.info

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  4/28/2008

Copyright  1984, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1992, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

Last updated:	April 28, 2008