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Urea cycle

Urea cycle

Overview

The buildup of ammonia in the body is toxic and can cause brain damage, seizures and coma.

Review Date 11/1/2021

Updated by: Anna C. Edens Hurst, MD, MS, Associate Professor in Medical Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.