For more information, see table Some Sphingolipidoses Some Sphingolipidoses 
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Also see Approach to the Patient With a Suspected Inherited Disorder of Metabolism Approach to the Patient With a Suspected Inherited Disorder of Metabolism Most inherited disorders of metabolism (inborn errors of metabolism) are rare, and therefore their diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. Timely diagnosis leads to early treatment and... read more .
Krabbe disease is caused by an autosomal recessive Autosomal Recessive Genetic disorders determined by a single gene (Mendelian disorders) are easiest to analyze and the most well understood. If expression of a trait requires only one copy of a gene (one allele)... read more galactocerebroside beta-galactosidase deficiency. There are 4 forms: infantile, late infantile, juvenile, and adult.
It affects infants and is characterized by intellectual disability, paralysis, blindness, deafness, and pseudobulbar palsy, progressing to death.
Diagnosis of Krabbe disease is by DNA analysis and/or detecting enzyme deficiency in white blood cells or cultured skin fibroblasts. (Also see testing for suspected inherited disorders of metabolism Initial testing Most inherited disorders of metabolism (inborn errors of metabolism) are rare, and therefore their diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. Timely diagnosis leads to early treatment and... read more .)
Because bone marrow or stem cell transplantation prolongs life span and improves functional abilities of children who have the infantile or late infantile form, prenatal testing or neonatal screening Screening Tests for Newborns Screening recommendations for newborns vary by clinical context and state requirements. Blood typing is indicated when the mother has type O or Rh-negative blood or when minor blood antigens... read more (currently available in 10 states in the US) is sometimes done.
Treatment of Krabbe disease is supportive.
More Information
The following is an English-language resource that may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of this resource.
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man® (OMIM®) database: Complete gene, molecular, and chromosomal location information
