In which of the following condition there is increased level of ammonia in blood?
**Core Concept**
Ornithine transcarbamoylase (OTC) deficiency is a urea cycle disorder that results in the accumulation of ammonia in the blood due to impaired urea production. The urea cycle is a critical pathway for detoxifying ammonia in the liver.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
In OTC deficiency, the enzyme ornithine transcarbamoylase is deficient or defective, preventing the conversion of carbamoyl phosphate and ornithine into citrulline. This leads to a buildup of carbamoyl phosphate, which is then shunted towards the synthesis of pyrimidines, resulting in increased levels of ammonia in the blood. The liver's inability to detoxify ammonia efficiently leads to hyperammonemia, which can cause neurological symptoms and even death if left untreated.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option B:** Galactosaemia is a disorder of galactose metabolism, where the enzyme galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase is deficient. This results in the accumulation of galactose-1-phosphate, which can lead to cataracts, liver dysfunction, and other symptoms, but it does not directly cause increased levels of ammonia in the blood.
**Option C:** Histidinaemia is a disorder of histidine metabolism, where the enzyme histidase is deficient. This results in the accumulation of histidine in the blood, but it does not directly cause increased levels of ammonia in the blood.
**Option D:** Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a disorder of phenylalanine metabolism, where the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase is deficient. This results in the accumulation of phenylalanine in the blood, which can lead to neurological symptoms and developmental delays if left untreated, but it does not directly cause increased levels of ammonia in the blood.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It is essential for clinicians to recognize the signs and symptoms of urea cycle disorders, such as OTC deficiency, and to initiate prompt treatment to prevent neurological damage and death.
**β Correct Answer: A. Ornithine transcarbamoylase deficiency**