Metabolic diseases (human)

Human metabolic diseases are primarily caused by single gene alleles that code for enzymes important in metabolic pathways. These diseases are usually life-long, but many of them can be managed such that the person who has such a metabolic defect may remain well if strict modifications in diet are followed. Accordingly, in amny countries, newborn infants are screned for these diseases so that, if present, modifications in diet may startr immediately.