Lysosomes are structures in the cells of the body. These structures carry important enzymes (proteins) that break down and eliminate cell waste. Lysosomal storage disease refers to a group of disorders that affect this process. It occurs when a specific enzyme in the body is missing or defective. The missing or defective enzyme is not able to help eliminate unwanted substances in the cells. These substances build up in the body. They impair organ function.

There are over 40 different types of lysosomal diseases characterized by the specific enzyme deficiency, such as:

  • Fabry Morquio’s disease—affects the kidney, heart, and skin
  • Gaucher disease —affects the spleen and bones, and causes anemia
  • Hurler’s syndrome—affects the spleen, liver, joints, and eyes; causes intellectual disability and deafness
  • Maroteaux-Larny disease—affects the skin, bones, liver, and spleen
  • Niemann-Pick disease —affects the spleen, liver, and lungs
  • Pompe disease—affects the liver, heart, and muscle tissue
  • Tay-Sachs disease —affects the brain
Causes

These disorders are caused by problems in the genetic code that create the enzyme defect.

Genetic Material

Chromosome_DNA

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Risk Factors

Risk factors include:

  • Family history
  • Certain ethnic backgrounds (Ashkenazi Jewish, Finnish, Dutch)
Symptoms

Symptoms can be severe and appear shortly after birth. Symptoms can also be mild and detected later in life. Tell the doctor if your child has any of these:

  • Distorted facial features
  • Enlarged tongue
  • Cloudy eyes
  • Purple-blue skin rash
  • Swollen abdomen
  • Skeletal deformities
  • Short stature
  • Lack of muscle control
  • Decreased motor skills

These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. If your child has any of these symptoms, talk to the doctor right away.

Diagnosis

The doctor will:

  • Ask about your child’s symptoms and medical history
  • Do a physical exam
  • Work with specialists to diagnose the condition
  • Order tests, such as:
    • Enzyme testing (skin, blood, urine)
    • MRI scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the brain
    • Tissue biopsy —sample is taken from the body and tested

Before your baby is born, prenatal tests can check for diseases.

Treatment

Talk with the doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment depends on the enzyme defect that your child has. Treatment options may include:

Ongoing Symptom Management

To manage symptoms of lysosomal storage diseases, your child may need:

  • Dialysis
  • Physical therapy
  • Surgery
  • Medicines
Substrate Synthesis Inhibition Therapy (SSI)

This is a medicine given to help the body make less cell waste.

Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT)

Working enzymes are delivered through an IV (needle in the vein). These new enzymes will do the job of the defective enzymes.

Stem Cell Transplant

Healthy stem cells are transplanted into your child. This may help his body make the missing enzyme.

Prevention

There is no way to prevent these kinds of disorders. Prenatal testing and newborn screening may help with early detection.