What does Lesch-Nyhan syndrome do?

What does Lesch-Nyhan syndrome do?

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is inherited as an X-linked recessive genetic disorder that, with rare female exceptions, most often affects males. The symptoms of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome include impaired kidney function, acute gouty arthritis, and self-mutilating behaviors such as lip and finger biting and/or head banging.

What is the life expectancy of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome?

With optimal medical care, individuals with Lesch-Nyhan disease typically live into their third or even fourth decade of life. Few patients live beyond 40 years.

Can people with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome walk?

People with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome usually cannot walk, require assistance sitting, and generally use a wheelchair. Self-injury (including biting and head banging) is the most common and distinctive behavioral problem in individuals with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome.

Is Lesch-Nyhan curable?

No specific treatment exists for Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Medicine for treating gout can lower uric acid levels. However, treatment does not improve the nervous system outcome (for example, having increased reflexes and spasms).

How do people get Lesch-Nyhan syndrome?

Causes. Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is passed down as an X-linked, or sex-linked trait. It occurs mostly in boys. People with this syndrome are missing or severely lacking an enzyme called hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT).

Is Lesch-Nyhan a neurological disorder?

Lesch Nyhan syndrome is a condition characterized by neurological and behavioral abnormalities and the overproduction of uric acid in the body. It occurs almost exclusively in males. Signs and symptoms may include inflammatory arthritis (gout), kidney stones, bladder stones, and moderate cognitive disability.

How rare is Lesch-Nyhan syndrome?

Lesch–Nyhan syndrome (LNS) is a rare inherited disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT). This deficiency occurs due to mutations in the HPRT1 gene located on the X chromosome. LNS affects about 1 in 380,000 live births.

What enzyme is increased in Lesch-Nyhan?

Lesch Nyhan Syndrome is an inborn disorder caused by a deficiency of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) enzyme, an enzyme of purine salvage pathway.

What is Lesch Nyhan syndrome?

Lesch Nyhan syndrome is a condition characterized by neurological and behavioral abnormalities and the overproduction of uric acid in the body. It occurs almost exclusively in males. Signs and symptoms may include inflammatory arthritis (gout), kidney stones, bladder stones, and moderate cognitive disability.

What is the first manifestation of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome?

This may be the first manifestation of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, but it is seldom recognized in early infancy. Urate stones may develop in the kidneys of infants with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome as a result of excessive amounts of uric acid that are excreted as sodium urate.

What tests are used to diagnose Lesch-Nyhan syndrome?

Carrier testing for Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is possible using molecular genetic testing. Prenatal diagnosis and preimplantation genetic diagnosis are possible if the disease-causing HPRT1 gene mutation has been identified in an affected family member.

What are the treatment options for Lesch-Nyhan syndrome?

Children with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome usually require physical restraint at the hips, chest, and elbows so they do not injure themselves. Elbow restraints keep the hands free. Biting of fingers and/or lips, which can lead to permanent disfigurement, may be prevented by the use of a mouth guard (oral prosthetic) or the removal of the teeth.