Prevalence of methylmalonic acidemia among newborns and the clinical-suspected population: a meta-analyse

Importance Knowing the scale of rare inborn errors is important for screening and resource allocation. Evidence on the prevalence of methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) among newborns and the clinical-suspected population from large-scale screening programs needs to be systematically synthesized. Objective To estimate the worldwide prevalence of MMA for newborns and the clinical-suspected population and explore the differences in different regions, periods, and diagnostic technologies. Data sources MEDLINE, Embase, CRD, Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL, and PROSPERO. Study Selection: All studies reporting the epidemiology characteristics of MMA were selected. Data extraction and synthesis Characteristics of study, subjects, and epidemiology were extracted, random-effect models were used for meta-analyses. Main outcome and measure Pooled prevalence of MMA. Results This study included 111 studies. The pooled prevalence of MMA worldwide was 1.14 per 100,000 newborns (1516/190,229,777 newborns, 95% CI: 0.99-1.29) and 652.11 per 100,000 clinical-suspected patients (1360/4,805,665 clinical-suspected individuals, CI: 544.14-760.07). Asia and Africa got a higher pooled prevalence of MMA. The prevalence of MMA in newborns increased through the years, while that in the clinical-suspected population decreased. Collecting blood >= 72 h after birth had a higher pooled prevalence of MMA than collecting during 24 h-72 h after birth. The combining-use of MS/MS and GC/MS had a higher pooled prevalence than the single-use of MS/MS or GC/MS. Prevalence of cbl C, mut, cbl B, cbl A, isolated MMA, combined MMA and homocystinuria, vitamin B12-responsive MMA was synthesized. Conclusions and relevance Prevalence of MMA among newborns was extremely low, but considerably high in the clinical-suspected population, indicating the need for more efficient newborn screening strategies and closer monitoring of the high-risk population for the early signs of MMA. Asia and Africa should attach importance to the high prevalence of MMA. Further diagnostic tests were recommended for the combining-use vs single-use of MS/MS and GC/MS and for collecting blood after 72 h vs during 24-72 h after birth.

Automated summary

The study estimated the global prevalence of MMA, revealing a low prevalence among newborns but higher among the clinical-suspected population, with Asia and Africa showing higher rates. It recommended improvements in newborn screening strategies and closer monitoring of high-risk populations.