The symptoms expressed would vary with the type of metabolic disorder.

There are four categories of symptoms: acute symptoms, late-onset acute symptoms, progressive general symptoms and permanent symptoms

Inherited metabolic disorders are one cause of metabolic disorders, and occur when a defective gene causes an enzyme deficiency.

These diseases, of which there are many subtypes, are known as inborn errors of metabolism.

Metabolic diseases can also occur when the liver or pancreas do not function properly.

Metabolic disorders can be present at birth, and many can be identified by routine screening.