সংজ্ঞা

Tay-Sachs disease (TSD) is a fatal genetic disorder. It occurs when a fatty substance builds up in the brain. This causes progressive destruction of the brain. There are three forms:

  • Infantile-onset
  • Juvenile-onset
  • Adult-onset

Given the best of care, all children with the infantile form die by the age of five.

কারণসমূহ

TSD is caused by the absence of an enzyme. This enzyme is needed to break down a fatty substance called GM2 (ganglioside). As a result, GM2 builds up. The build up in the brain causes damage.

TSD occurs when both parent pass on the faulty genes. A person can have just one copy of the faulty gene. In this case, there are no symptoms. The person is called a carrier.

Tay Sachs Disease

ঝুঁকির কারণ

Factors that increase your chance for TSD include:

  • Having parents who are carriers of the TSD gene
  • Race: Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish descent
  • TSD is also frequently found in French Canadian and Cajun populations

লক্ষণ

Babies with TSD may seem to develop normally until about 4-5 months of age. There is then an arrest of development. Symptoms begin to occur. Symptoms may include:

  • Floppy body position
  • Shrill cry
  • Decreased eye contact
  • Increased startle reaction
  • মোটর দক্ষতা হারানো
  • Enlarged head
  • Vision loss or blindness
  • বধিরতা
  • গিলতে অসুবিধা
  • Muscular difficulties (eg, spastic muscles, weakness or paralysis)
  • বুদ্ধিজীবী অক্ষমতা
  • খিঁচুনি

In some cases, the symptoms do not begin until age 2-5 years old. The condition progresses slowly, but most children with Tay-Sachs disease do not live beyond age 15 years. Symptoms may include:

  • Loss of the ability to speak
  • Developmental delay and intellectual disability
  • Loss of bowel control
  • Sleep problems
  • Movement disorder (eg, gait disturbance, muscle weakness, loss of the ability to walk)
  • Tremor
  • ঝাপসা বক্তৃতা
  • Psychiatric problems

রোগ নির্ণয়

The doctor will ask about your child’s symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. The doctor may examine your child’s eyes to look for a cherry red spot on the retina. Your doctor may also order:

  • Blood test—to measure hexosaminidase A activity

চিকিৎসা

There is presently no treatment for TSD. However, research is ongoing.

প্রতিরোধ

There are no known ways to prevent Tay-Sachs disease. If you are a carrier of the gene that causes TSD, you can talk to a genetic counselor before deciding to have children. Prenatal testing during the first trimester is available.

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