Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
MLD; Arylsulfatase A deficiency; Leukodystrophy - metachromatic
Treatment
There is no cure for MLD. Care focuses on treating the symptoms and preserving the patient's quality of life with physical and occupational therapy.
Research is studying techniques to replace the missing enzyme (arylsulfatase A).
Support Groups
For additional information and resources, see:
- United Leukodystrophy Association - www.ulf.org
- MLD Foundation - www.mldfoundation.org
Expectations (prognosis)
MLD is a severe disease that gets worse over time. Eventually people lose all muscle and mental function. Life span varies depending on what age the condition started, but the disease course usually runs 3 - 20 or more years.
People with this disorder are expected to have a shorter-than-normal lifespan. The earlier the age at diagnosis, the more quickly the disease progresses.
Complications
Calling your health care provider
Previous Section
Review Date: 11/01/2010
Reviewed By: Chad Haldeman-Englert, MD, Wake Forest University School of
Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Section on Medical Genetics,
Winston-Salem, NC. 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)
