Maple Syrup Urine Disease is a hereditary disease passed on through generations by parents who have a recessive gene for the disease. The disease is caused by an abnormal amount of amino acids building up in the liver, specifically leucine, isoleucine, and valine. A strict diet and making sure metabolic balances are in check are extremely important to making sure people who have MSUD stay healthy. It is a disorder characterized in infants by a high pitched cry, vomiting,
diarrhea, irritability, sleepiness, unusual breathing, staggering,
hallucinations, and slurred speech. It is often first spotted within the first 4 to 7 days of a child's life and if it is not treated immediately, can cause brain damage, comas, and even death.