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Living with Pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase deficiency

A very rare form of pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency with lactic acid buildup in newborns.

Understanding Pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase deficiency

Pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase deficiency is a very rare subtype of pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency that shows up as high lactic acid in newborns.

It starts in the newborn and infant period. GARD lists low muscle tone, mild developmental delay, and brain imaging differences among the common features.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Low muscle tone in newborns (hypotonia)
  • Low muscle tone in the trunk
  • Mild delays in development
  • Differences on brain imaging

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists, genetic specialists and seizure and epilepsy specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in PDP1 are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

  4. Connect with expert centers

    Epilepsy Foundation, United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation and MitoAction may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists); Seizure and epilepsy specialists (epileptologist)
Expert care
Expert lists: Epilepsy Foundation, United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, MitoAction
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with Epilepsy Foundation and other patient organizations
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Would genetic testing for the PDP1 gene help our family?
How should lactic acid levels be monitored?
What therapies can support development and muscle tone?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive, Mitochondrial
GenesPDP1

This condition is caused by changes in the PDP1 gene. GARD lists autosomal recessive and mitochondrial inheritance.

GeneticNeurologicalInherited MetabolicMitochondrial

Also known as: lactic acidemia with pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase deficiency; pdh phosphatase deficiency; pdhpd

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase deficiencyGARD ID 9888 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase deficiency.

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