Branched chain ketoaciduria (BCKA) is a rare metabolic disorder caused by the inability of the body to break down branched chain amino acids. This condition leads to a build-up of toxic substances in the body that can cause serious health problems. There are various synonyms for BCKA such as maple syrup urine disease, branched chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, and 2-ketobutyric aciduria. These conditions essentially describe the same metabolic disorder but focus on different aspects of the disease. Maple syrup urine disease, for example, highlights the sweet odor of the affected individual's urine while branched chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency refers to the specific enzyme that is lacking in the body. Overall, these synonyms help to provide a more comprehensive understanding of BCKA and its effects.