Krabbe disease
Globoid cell leukodystrophy; Galactosylcerebrosidase deficiency; Galactosylceramidase deficiencyKrabbe disease is a rare genetic disorder of the nervous system. It is a type of brain disease called leukodystrophy.
Causes
A defect in the GALC gene causes Krabbe disease. People with this gene defect do not make enough of a substance (enzyme) called galactocerebroside beta-galactosidase (galactosylceramidase).
Enzyme
Enzymes are complex proteins that cause a specific chemical change. For example, they can help break down the foods we eat so the body can use them....
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleThe body needs this enzyme to make myelin. Myelin surrounds and protects nerve fibers. Without this enzyme, myelin breaks down, brain cells die, and nerves in the brain and other body areas do not work properly.
Krabbe disease can develop at various ages:
- Early-onset Krabbe disease appears in the first months of life. Most children with this form of the disease die before they reach age 2.
- Late-onset Krabbe disease begins in late childhood or early adolescence.
Krabbe disease is inherited, which means it is passed down through families. If both parents carry the nonworking copy of the gene related to this condition, each of their children has a 25% (1 in 4) chance of developing the disease. It is an autosomal recessive disorder.
Autosomal recessive disorder
Autosomal recessive is one of several ways that a genetic trait, disorder, or disease can be passed down through families. An autosomal recessive dis...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleThis condition is very rare. It is most common among people of Scandinavian descent.
Symptoms
Symptoms of early-onset Krabbe disease are:
- Changing muscle tone from floppy to rigid
- Hearing loss that leads to deafness
- Failure to thrive
Failure to thrive
Failure to thrive refers to children whose current weight or rate of weight gain is much lower than that of other children of similar age and sex....
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Feeding difficulties
- Irritability and sensitivity to loud sounds
- Severe seizures (may begin at a very early age)
Seizures
A seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Unexplained fevers
- Vision loss that leads to blindness
- Vomiting
With late onset Krabbe disease, vision problems may appear first, followed by walking difficulties and rigid muscles. Symptoms vary from person to person. Other symptoms may also occur.
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the symptoms.
Tests that may be done include:
- Blood test to look for galactosylceramidase levels in white blood cells
- CSF total protein -- tests the amount of protein in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
CSF total protein
CSF total protein is a test to determine the amount of protein in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is a clear fluid that is in the space around the sp...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Genetic testing for the GALC gene defect
- MRI of the head
MRI of the head
A head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Nerve conduction velocity
Nerve conduction velocity
Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) is a test to see how fast electrical signals move through a nerve. This test is done along with electromyography (EM...
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Treatment
There is no specific treatment for Krabbe disease.
Some people have had a bone marrow transplant in the early stages of the disease, but this treatment has risks.
Support Groups
More information and support for people with Krabbe disease and their families can be found at:
- National Organization for Rare Disorders -- rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/leukodystrophy-krabbes/s
- NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center -- rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6844/krabbe-disease
- United Leukodystrophy Foundation -- ulf.org
Outlook (Prognosis)
The outcome is likely to be poor. On average, infants with early-onset Krabbe disease die before age 2. People who develop the disease at a later age have survived into adulthood with nervous system disease.
Possible Complications
This disease damages the central nervous system. It can cause:
Central nervous system
The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord. Your brain and spinal cord serve as the main "processing center" for your entir...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article- Blindness
- Deafness
- Severe problems with muscle tone
The disease is usually life-threatening.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your provider if your child develops symptoms of this disorder. Go to the hospital emergency room or call 911 or the local emergency number if the following symptoms occur:
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
Loss of consciousness
Decreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness and is often a serious condition. A coma is the most severe state of decreased alertness from whi...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Abnormal posturing
Prevention
Genetic counseling is recommended for people with a family history of Krabbe disease who are considering having children.
Genetic counseling
Genetics is the study of heredity, the process of a parent passing certain genes on to their children. A person's appearance, such as height, hair co...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleA blood test can be done to see if you carry the gene for Krabbe disease.
Prenatal tests (amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling) can be done to test a developing baby for this condition.
Amniocentesis
Amniocentesis is a test that can be done during pregnancy to look for certain problems in the developing baby. These problems include:Birth defectsG...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleChorionic villus sampling
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a test some pregnant women have to screen their baby for genetic problems.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleReferences
Katirji B. Disorders of peripheral nerves. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 106.
Kwon JM. Neurodegenerative disorders of childhood. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 617.
Pastores GM, Wang RY. Lysosomal storage diseases. In: Swaiman KF, Ashwal S, Ferriero DM, et al, eds. Swaiman's Pediatric Neurology: Principles and Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 41.
Review Date: 4/24/2023
Reviewed By: Anna C. Edens Hurst, MD, MS, Associate Professor in Medical Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.