Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of body fluids in the field of inborn errors of metabolism

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of body fluids has been successfully applied to the field of inborn errors of metabolism. This technique has the advantage of minimal sample pretreatment not requiring extraction or derivatization steps. Moreover, the spectrum provides a comprehensive metabolic profile of proton-containing, low-molecular-weight metabolites. The sensitivity limit is in the low micromolar range. This allows diagnosis of many inborn errors of metabolism. This review explains the key features of the NMR spectrum and reviews the available literature on metabolic diseases. Three novel diseases have been delineated with the technique. Relevant parts of the spectra from the urine samples of patients with these diseases are shown. NMR spectroscopy may develop to become a key tool in a metabonomics approach in clinical biochemistry.