Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41028504›Full record

ArticlePediatric research2026

Unveiling the hidden burden: challenges and spectrum of inborn errors of metabolism in LMICs.

Sumreena Mansoor, Zarmast Khan

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Article in Pediatric research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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1citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Sumreena MansoorDepartment of Biochemistry, Shifa College of Medicine, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan. sumreena.scm@stmu.edu.pk.
Zarmast KhanDepartment of pediatrics Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundInborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates and children, particularly in resource-limited settings. In Pakistan, comprehensive data on IEMs remain scarce, contributing to underdiagnosis and delayed interventions.

methodsThis retrospective study reviewed medical records of children presenting with suspected IEMs to a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad between January 2014 and May 2019. Cases were identified through medical record coding, and diagnoses were based on biochemical tests and enzyme assays.

resultsA total of 64 patients were identified. Diagnoses included glycogen storage disorders (n = 15), galactosemia (n = 3), Gaucher's disease (n = 3), mucopolysaccharidosis (n = 4), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (n = 19), and unspecified IEMs (n = 20). One case was initially misdiagnosed as drug overdose, while six cases lacked sufficient data for classification. Delayed diagnosis, limited availability of genetic testing, and financial constraints resulted in predominantly symptomatic management. Outcomes were poor, with many patients succumbing during care.

conclusionThis study highlights the urgent need for improved diagnostic capacity for IEMs in Pakistan. The establishment of genetic testing facilities, including whole-exome sequencing and a cost-effective IEM gene panel, is critical to enable timely and accurate diagnosis, improve clinical management, and ultimately reduce morbidity and mortality in affected children. IMPACT: The study highlights the significant burden of Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM) in a low-middle-income country, emphasizing the challenges of late diagnosis, lack of genetic diagnostic tools, and poor follow-up due to financial constraints. This study adds critical insights into the prevalence, spectrum, and clinical outcomes of IEMs in Pakistan. It identifies specific gaps in diagnostic infrastructure, management practices, and healthcare accessibility in resource-limited settings. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing diagnostic and financial barriers to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with IEMs in Pakistan.

Indexed as

Metabolism, Inborn ErrorsAdolescentChildChild, PreschoolCost of IllnessDelayed DiagnosisDeveloping CountriesFemaleGenetic TestingHumansInfantInfant, NewbornMalePakistanRetrospective StudiesTertiary Care Centers

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.