Which of the following conditions is classified as a metabolic disorder?

• A. Sturge Weber syndrome
• B. Hepatic encephalopathy
• C. Picks disease
• D. Multiple sclerosis

Answer: (B)

Hepatic encephalopathy is classified as a metabolic disorder because it arises from liver dysfunction, which leads to the accumulation of toxins in the blood, particularly ammonia. The liver plays a critical role in metabolizing proteins and clearing waste products from the body. When it is unable to perform these functions effectively due to diseases such as cirrhosis or liver failure, toxic substances build up and affect brain function, resulting in neurological symptoms.

Metabolic disorders, by definition, involve abnormalities in chemical reactions in the body, often related to the conversion of food into energy or the processing of waste. In the case of hepatic encephalopathy, the metabolic derangement is directly linked to the impairment of liver function, highlighting its classification within this category.

Other conditions listed, while they may impact metabolism indirectly, are not primarily classified as metabolic disorders in the same way. Sturge-Weber syndrome and Pick's disease are neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, respectively, while multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition affecting the central nervous system, focusing on demyelination rather than metabolism.