Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is caused by a deficiency of the liver peroxisomal enzyme alanine:glyoxylate-aminotransferase (AGT), which catalyzes the conversion of glyoxylate to glycine. When AGT activity is absent, glyoxylate is converted to oxalate, which forms insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that accumulate in the kidney and other organs. Individuals with PH1 are at risk for recurrent nephrolithiasis (deposition of calcium oxalate in the renal pelvis / urinary tract), nephrocalcinosis (deposition of calcium oxalate in the renal parenchyma), or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Age at onset of symptoms ranges from infancy to the sixth decade. Approximately 10% of affected individuals present in infancy or early childhood with nephrocalcinosis, with or without nephrolithiasis, and failure to thrive related to renal failure. The majority of individuals with PH1 present in childhood or early adolescence, usually with symptomatic nephrolithiasis and normal or reduced kidney function. The remainder of affected individuals present in adulthood with recurrent renal stones and a mild-to-moderate reduction in kidney function. The natural history of untreated PH1 is one of progressive decline in renal function as a result of calcium oxalate deposits in kidney tissue and complications of nephrolithiasis (e.g., obstruction and infection) with eventual progression to oxalosis (widespread tissue deposition of calcium oxalate) and death from ESRD and/or complications of oxalosis.

Primary hyperoxaluria type 2 (PH2), caused by deficiency of the enzyme glyoxylate reductase/hydroxypyruvate reductase (GR/HPR), is characterized by recurrent nephrolithiasis (deposition of calcium oxalate in the renal pelvis/urinary tract), nephrocalcinosis (deposition of calcium oxalate in the renal parenchyma), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). After ESRD, oxalosis (widespread tissue deposition of calcium oxalate) usually develops. Symptom onset is typically in childhood.

5-Oxoprolinuria can be caused by genetic defects in either of 2 enzymes involved in the gamma-glutamyl cycle of glutathione metabolism: glutathione synthetase (GSS; 601002) or 5-oxoprolinase (OPLAH; 614243). GSS deficiency (266130) is best characterized as an inborn error of glutathione metabolism, but there is debate as to whether OPLAH deficiency represents a disorder or simply a biochemical condition with no adverse clinical effects because patients lack a consistent clinical picture apart from 5-oxoprolinuria (summary by Calpena et al., 2013).

The imino acids, proline and hydroxyproline, share a renal tubular reabsorptive mechanism with glycine. Iminoglycinuria (IG; 242600), a benign inborn error of amino acid transport, is also a normal finding in neonates and infants under 6 months of age (Chesney, 2001). Early studies of families with iminoglycinuria suggested genetic complexity, with homozygotes developing IG and heterozygotes manifesting only hyperglycinuria (HG) (summary by Broer et al., 2008). A phenotype of combined glucosuria and glycinuria has been described (see 138070).

Primary hyperoxaluria is an autosomal recessive disorder of glyoxylate metabolism that results in excessive endogenous oxalate synthesis and the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones. Progressive renal inflammation and interstitial fibrosis from advanced nephrocalcinosis, recurrent urolithiasis, and urinary tract infections can cause reduced renal function, systemic oxalate deposition, and end-stage renal failure. Compared to hyperoxaluria type I (HP1; 259900) and type II (HP2; 260000), HP3 appears to be the least severe, with good preservation of kidney function in most patients. The typical clinical characteristic is early onset of recurrent urolithiasis, but less active stone formation later (summary by Wang et al., 2015). For a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of primary hyperoxaluria, see 259900.

Macrocephaly refers to an abnormally enlarged head inclusive of the scalp, cranial bones, and intracranial contents. Macrocephaly may be due to megalencephaly (true enlargement of the brain parenchyma), and the 2 terms are often used interchangeably in the genetic literature (reviews by Olney, 2007 and Williams et al., 2008). Autosomal recessive macrocephaly/megalencephaly syndrome is characterized by an enlarged cranium apparent at birth or in early childhood. Affected individuals have intellectual disability and may have dysmorphic facial features resulting from the macrocephaly (summary by Alfaiz et al., 2014).