Fabry Disease
Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Fabry Disease is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.
Synonyms
- Alpha-Galactosidase A Deficiency
- Anderson-Fabry Disease
- Angiokeratoma Corporis Diffusum
- Angiokeratoma Diffuse
- Ceramide Trihexosidase Deficiency
- GLA Deficiency
- Hereditary Dystopic Lipidosis
Disorder Subdivisions
- None
General Discussion
Fabry disease is a rare genetic disorder of lipid metabolism characterized by a deficiency of the enzyme alpha-galactosidase A, also known as ceramidetrihexosidase. The disorder belongs to a group of diseases known as lysosomal storage disorders. Lysosomes function as the primary digestive units within cells. Enzymes within lysosomes break down or digest particular nutrients, such as certain fats and carbohydrates. Absence or less than 1% of the alpha-galactosidase A enzyme results in the "classic" subtype of Fabry disease due to the abnormal accumulation of a substance consisting of fatty material and carbohydrates (i.e., glycolipids such as glycosphingolipid) in various organs of the body, particularly in the blood vessels. Symptoms of "classic" Fabry disease may include the appearance of clusters of wart-like discolorations on the skin (angiokeratomas), excruciating pain in the fingers and toes, and abdominal pain. Later in the course of the disease, kidney failure, heart disease, and/or strokes cause serious complications. Fabry disease, which is inherited as an X-linked trait, affects males and females. Males are more uniformly affected whereas females may be asymptomatic or severely affected as males due to "random X-inactivation." Patients with alpha-galactosidase A levels greater than 1% of normal have a somewhat milder "later-onset" subtype of the disease.
Resources
Children Living with Inherited Metabolic Diseases (CLIMB)
Climb Building
176 Nantwich Road
Crewe, Intl CW2 6BG
United Kingdom
Tel: 0845 241 2174
Tel: 800 652 3181
Email: info.svcs@climb.org.uk
Internet: http://www.CLIMB.org.uk
National Tay-Sachs and Allied Diseases Association, Inc.
2001 Beacon Street
204
Brookline, MA 02146-4227
USA
Tel: (617)277-4463
Fax: (617)277-0134
Tel: (800)906-8723
Email: info@ntsad.org
Internet: http://www.NTSAD.org
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)997-4488
Fax: (914)997-4763
Tel: (888)663-4637
Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com
International Center for Fabry Disease
Human Genetics
Mt. Sinai
Box 1203
Fifth Ave at 100th St.
NY, NY 10029
USA
Tel: (212)659-6779
Fax: (212)659-6780
Tel: (800)322-7963
Email: fabry.disease@mssm.edu
Internet: http://www.mssm.edu/genetics/fabry
NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
P.O. Box 5801
Bethesda, MD 20824
Tel: (301)496-5751
Fax: (301)402-2186
Tel: (800)352-9424
TDD: (301)468-5981
Email: me20t@nih.gov
Internet: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
Canadian Society for Mucopolysaccharide and Related Diseases, Inc.
PO Box 30034
RPO Parkgate
North Vancouver
British Columbia, Intl V7H 2Y8
Canada
Tel: (604) 924-5130
Fax: (604) 924-5131
Tel: 1-800-667-1846
Email: info@mpssociety.ca
Internet: http://www.mpssociety.ca
Fabry Support & Information Group
108 NE 2nd Street
Suite C
P.O. Box 510
Concordia, MO 64020-0510
USA
Tel: (660)463-1355
Fax: (660)463-1356
Email: info@fabry.org
Internet: http://www.fabry.org
MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay, WI 54301-1243
USA
Tel: (920)336-5333
Fax: (920)339-0995
Tel: (877)336-5333
Email: mums@netnet.net
Internet: http://www.netnet.net/mums/
Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
Tel: (301)251-4925
Fax: (301)251-4911
Tel: (888)205-2311
TDD: (888)205-3223
Internet: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/AboutGARD.aspx
Instituto de Errores Innatos del Metabolismo
Carrera 7 No 40 - 62
Bogota,
Columbia
Tel: (571) 3208320
Email: abarrera@javeriana.edu.co
Internet: http://www.javeriana.edu.co/ieim/programas_ieim.htm
Hide & Seek Foundation for Lysosomal Disease Research
6475 East Pacific Coast Highway Suite 466
Long Beach, CA 90803
Tel: (877)621-1122
Fax: (866)215-8850
Email: info@hideandseek.org
Internet: http://www.hideandseek.org
National Fabry Disease Foundation
4301 Connecticut Ave. N.W.
Suite 404
Washington, DC 20008-2369
Fax: (800)651-9135
Tel: (800)651-9131
Email: info@TheNFDF.org
Internet: http://www.TheNFDF.org
Proyecto Pide un Deseo M�xico, i.a.p.
Altadena #59-501 col. Napoles
delegacion Benito Juarez
03810 Mexico D.F.
Tel: 55 5543-2447
Fax: 55-5543-5450
Email: prayecto.pdeundese.mexico@gmail.com
Internet: http://www.pideundeseo.org
For a Complete Report:
This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be downloaded free from the NORD website for registered users. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational therapies (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".
The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: �10/20/2011
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