Use

Quantitative determination of C8–C18 mitochondrial fatty acids in serum aids in the biochemical diagnosis of inborn errors of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation—such as deficiencies of medium‑chain acyl‑CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD), long‑chain 3‑hydroxyacyl‑CoA dehydrogenase, very‑long‑chain acyl‑CoA dehydrogenase, and glutaric acidemia type 2—by detecting characteristic metabolite patterns even in asymptomatic or treated individuals. This profiling is essential for differential diagnosis, guidance of dietary therapy, and reducing morbidity and mortality in affected patients, especially during metabolic stress episodes like fasting or illness.