Molybdenum deficiency refers to the clinical consequences of inadequate supplies of

molybdenum Molybdenum is a chemical element with the symbol Mo and atomic number 42 which is located in period 5 and group 6. The name is from Neo-Latin ''molybdaenum'', which is based on Ancient Greek ', meaning lead, since its ores were confused with lea ...

in the diet. The amount of molybdenum required is relatively small, and molybdenum deficiency usually does not occur in natural settings. However, it can occur in individuals receiving parenteral nutrition.

Signs and symptoms

Descriptions of human molybdenum deficiency are few. A patient receiving prolonged parenteral nutrition acquired a syndrome described as ‘acquired molybdenum deficiency.’ This syndrome, exacerbated by methionine administration, was characterized by high blood methionine, low blood uric acid, and low urinary uric acid and sulfate concentrations. The patient suffered mental disturbances that progressed to a coma. Pathological changes occurring in individuals with a genetic disease that results in a sulfite oxidase (a molybdoenzyme) deficiency include increased plasma and urine sulfite, sulfate, thiosulfate, S-sulfocysteine and taurine; seizures, and brain atrophy/lesions; dislocated lenses; and death at an early age.

Diagnosis

Treatment

300 mcg Ammonium Molybdate per day can bring about recovery of “acquired molybdenum deficiency”

References

External links

Mineral deficiencies

Deficiency A deficiency is generally a lack of something. It may also refer to: *A deficient number, in mathematics, a number ''n'' for which ''σ''(''n'') < 2''n'' *

Signs and symptoms

Diagnosis

Treatment

See also

References

Further reading

External links