UCDs are a group of rare genetic diseases that affect about 1 in 35,000 births in the United States.
UCDs are characterized by potentially toxic elevations of ammonia levels in the blood and brain (hyperammonemia). In people living with UCDs, the liver is unable to metabolize ammonia so that it can be eliminated from the body in the urine. This results in elevated ammonia levels and leads to an accumulation of ammonia in the bloodstream. Excess ammonia can cross the blood–brain barrier and act as a neurotoxin in the brain. Left untreated, hyperammonemia can result in coma, brain damage, and, in some cases, even death.
Ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency is the most common UCD subtype. It is passed on from a mother to her child via the X chromosome. In rare cases, OTC can also be passed down from a father to his daughter via the X chromosome. While a parent with the OTC gene is a carrier, they may not know they have OTC until their child is diagnosed. Approximately 20% of carrier females have symptoms of the disorder and rarely may be severely affected in childhood. Symptoms for adults who have OTC deficiency can range from migraines and nausea to confusion, ataxia, and even hallucinations.1
Place your order | Collect a sample | Receive results |
---|---|---|
To place a paper-based order, download the paper order form. To place an order online:
|
To collect a specimen:
|
To receive results:
|
Invitae Corporation (NYSE: NVTA) is a leading medical genetics company, whose mission is to bring comprehensive genetic information into mainstream medicine to improve healthcare for billions of people. Invitae's goal is to aggregate the world's genetic tests into a single service with higher quality, faster turnaround time, and lower prices. For more information, visit the company's website at invitae.com.
Horizon Therapeutics is focused on researching, developing and commercializing innovative medicines that address unmet treatment needs for rare and rheumatic diseases. By fostering a growing pipeline of medicines in development and exploring all potential uses for currently marketed medicines, we strive to make a powerful difference for patients, their caregivers and physicians. For us, it’s personal: by living up to our own potential, we are helping others live up to theirs. For more information, please visit www.horizontherapeutics.com, follow us @HorizonNews on Twitter, like us on Facebook or explore career opportunities on LinkedIn.
Disclaimer
While Horizon Therapeutics provides financial support for this program, tests and services are performed by independent third parties. Healthcare professionals must confirm that patients meet certain criteria to use the program. Horizon Therapeutics receives de-identified patient data from this program, but at no time does Horizon Therapeutics receive patient identifiable information. Horizon Therapeutics receives contact information for healthcare professionals who use this program. Genetic testing and counseling are only available in the US. Healthcare professionals and patients who use this program have no obligation to recommend, purchase, order, prescribe, promote, administer, use or support any Horizon Therapeutics product.
Reference
1. Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency. National Organizations for Rare Disorders (NORD) website. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/ornithine-transcarbamylase-deficiency. Accessed March 20, 2019.