What is Carnitine palmitoyltransferase I deficiency?

Carnitine palmitoyltransferase I deficiency is a rare metabolic disorder that prevents the body from converting certain fats called long-chain fatty acids into energy, particularly during periods without food. It is caused by a mutation in CPT1A on chromosome 11.

Carnitine, a natural substance acquired mostly through the diet, is used by cells to process fats and produce energy. People with this disorder have a faulty enzyme, carnitine palmitoyltransferase I, that prevents these long-chain fatty acids from being transported into the mitochondria to be broken down.