A child suffered from a viral illness for which he took aspirin. 3 days later the child presented to the emergency with altered sensorium and icterus. What is the underlying biochemical defect -

Reye syndrome is characterized by acute non-inflammatory encephalopathy and fatty degenerative liver failure. Reye syndrome typically occurs after a viral illness and is associated with the use of aspirin during the illness. The pathogenesis of Reye syndrome: Appears to involve mitochondrial injury resulting in dysfunction that inhibits oxidative phosphorylation and fatty-acid beta-oxidation