Ornithine carbamoyl transferase deficiency: a neuropathological study.

A detailed autopsy study of three children with ornithine carbamoyl transferase (OCT) deficiency is presented. Although variable in extent, a basic pattern of neuropathological lesions is discernible. Case 1 shows gross cerebral atrophy, cases 2 and 3 milder lesions in the basal nuclei but also multiple cerebellar heterotopias and delayed myelination. We suggest that the findings may provide evidence that OCT deficiency can have a teratogenic effect in utero and suggest that there is a need to monitor the pregnancies of carriers of this disorder.