Neonatal death due to inborn error of metabolism (IEM) is
rare in Malaysia. We report a sudden neonate death just a
few hours after being discharged from the hospital. The
deceased was a two-day-old baby boy and was
asymptomatic until his demise. He was fed with expressed
breast milk and formula milk. Autopsy revealed fatty
changes of the liver and an enlarged heart. Laboratory
investigation confirmed very long chain Acyl-CoA
dehydrogenase deficiency which resulted in his death.
Autopsy of sudden unexpected death in neonate should
include investigation for inborn error of metabolism. Fatty
liver and enlarged heart could give a clue for the diagnosis.