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Alternative names
Mucopolysaccharidosis type II, Iduronate sulfatase deficiencyDefinition Return to top
Hunter syndrome is a hereditary disease in which the breakdown of a mucopolysaccharide (a chemical that is widely distributed in the body outside of cells) is defective. This chemical builds up and causes a characteristic facial appearance, abnormal function of multiple organs, and in severe cases, early death.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Hunter syndrome is inherited as an X-linked recessive disease. This means that women carry the disease and can pass it on to their sons, but are not themselves afffected.
Because girls have two X chromosomes, their normal X can provide a functioning gene even if their other X is defective. But because boys have an X and a Y, there is no normal X gene to fix the problem if the X is defective.
The metabolic abnormality that causes Hunter syndrome is a lack of the enzyme iduronate sulfatase. In its absence, mucopolysaccharides collect in various body tissues, causing damage.
Affected children may develop an early-onset type (severe form) shortly after age 2 that causes a large skull, coarse facial features, profound mental retardation, spasticity, aggressive behavior, joint stiffness and death before age 20. A late-onset type (mild form) causes later and less severe symptoms.
Symptoms Return to top
Juvenile form (early-onset, severe form):Signs and tests Return to top
Signs of the disorder that the doctor might look for include:Treatment Return to top
There is no cure for Hunter syndrome. A specific treatment is being developed called enzyme replacement therapy. However, it is experimental and may not be able to prevent neurologic disease from getting worse. Individual problems should be addressed separately. Bone marrow transplant has been attempted for the early-onset form with variable results.Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Life expectancy for the early-onset form (severe form) is 10-20 years. Life expectancy for the late-onset form (mild form) is 20-60 years.
Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if you or your child manifest a group of these symptoms, or if you know you are a genetic carrier and are considering having children.Prevention Return to top
Genetic counseling is recommended for prospective parents with a family history of Hunter syndrome. Prenatal testing is available. Carrier testing for female relatives of affected males is available at a few specialized centers. Update Date: 7/26/2004 Updated by: Douglas R. Stewart, M.D., Division of Medical Genetics, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |