Carnitine deficiency has been documented in which two populations?

• A. Healthy adults
• B. Preterm infants and chronic renal failure
• C. Athletes with high-protein diet
• D. Elderly with hepatic disease

Answer: (B)

Carnitine is needed to transport long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for beta-oxidation, supplying energy especially in rapidly growing or stressed states. In preterm infants, stores are very low and the ability to synthesize carnitine is immature, making deficiency more likely. In chronic renal failure, carnitine balance is disrupted due to loss during dialysis and reduced endogenous synthesis, leading to deficiency. Healthy adults generally don’t have a deficiency, and while elderly or those with hepatic disease can have metabolic changes, the most consistently documented populations are preterm infants and patients with chronic kidney disease/Dialysis.