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Symptoms of metabolic disorders depend on the disorder and how serious it is. Common symptoms include:
See a doctor if you or your child:
Take your child to all checkups so the pediatrician can make sure your child is growing normally.
There are many causes to metabolic disorders.
To diagnose a metabolic disorder:
Treatment for metabolic disorders depends on the specific disorder. Common treatments include:
Many metabolic disorders can’t be prevented because they are genetic or the cause is unknown.
But there are things you can do to lower your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, the most common metabolic disorder:
Metabolism describes the body’s ability to convert food and drink into energy. It’s a complex process that uses many different chemicals, hormones, cells, and organs to work properly. A metabolic (met-uh-BOL-ik) disorder is when something disrupts this process.
There are several different types of metabolic disorders. A disorder can be caused when:
Many metabolic disorders are genetic (passed down through families) or autoimmune (when body tissues are attacked by its own immune system). Newborns are screened for several serious conditions, including metabolic, hormone, and blood disorders. Early detection and treatment of certain disorders can prevent lifelong health problems.
Some metabolic disorders develop during a person’s life. The most common is diabetes mellitus. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune problem — the body destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Insulin helps the body use glucose (sugar) in the body for energy. Type 2 diabetes is when the body makes insulin but can’t use it well anymore.