Globoid cell leukodystrophy; Galactosylcerebrosidase deficiency; Galactosylceramidase deficiency

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.

United Leukodystrophy Foundation -- www.ulf.org

The outcome is likely to be poor. On average, infants with early-onset cases die before age 2. People who develop the disease at a later age have survived into adulthood with nervous system disease.

This disease damages the central nervous system. It can cause:

• Blindness
• Deafness
• Severe problems with muscle tone

The disease is usually life threatening.

Call your health care provider if your child develops symptoms of this disorder. Seizures, loss of consciousness, or abnormal posturing may be emergency symptoms.

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Krabbe disease Symptoms

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Krabbe disease Prevention

Review Date: 04/15/2009
Reviewed By: Chad Haldeman-Englert, MD, Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)