Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase II (CPT2) Deficiency: An Overlooked and Elusive Cause of Acute Kidney Injury

Carnitine palmitoyltransferase II (CPT2) deficiency is a rare inherited disorder affecting fatty acid metabolism. This enzymatic defect presents with a broad clinical spectrum, from severe neonatal forms that can be fatal, to milder myopathic variants characterized by myalgia and recurrent myoglobinuria in adolescence and adulthood. Herein, we report the case of a male patient who developed exertional rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury due to CPT2 deficiency. This case underscores the importance of considering genetic disorders in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with recurrent exercise intolerance and metabolic crises. Early recognition and diagnosis enable prompt implementation of dietary and lifestyle modifications aimed at mitigating potential complications such as renal impairment. Moreover, timely diagnosis allows for genetic counseling of affected individuals and their families.