Mucopolysaccharidosis III (MPS III) Disease (Sanfilippo Syndrome)
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Metabolic defect: Type A - heparan N-sulfatase (sulfamidase) deficiency; Type B - alpha-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase deficiency; Type C - acetyl-coa: alpha glucosaminide acetyltransferase deficiency; Type D - galactose 6-sulfatase (N-acetyl-glucosamine 6-sulfatase) deficiency
Other glycosaminoglycans metabolism diseases (mucopolysaccharidoses): MPS I | MPS II | MPS IV | MPS VI | MPS VII

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| Etiology & Pathogenesis [1,2]
Enzyme deficiency results in progressive accumulation of the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) heparan sulfate. Key Symptom Images
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| Coarse facial features |
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Hepatosplenomegaly |
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Hernia |
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Coarse hair |
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Image Credits: Coarse facial features courtesy of The National MPS Society, Inc. Hernia courtesy of Atlas of Metabolic Diseases, Arnold, 1998. Coarse hair courtesy of Emil Kakkis, MD, PhD.
Clinical Description and Progression/Prognosis [1,3]
Progressive disorder with multiple organ and tissue involvement. No clear clinical difference among the four types, although type A is most severe with earlier onset, more rapid progression of symptoms, and shorter survival. Onset is variable but usually obvious between 2 and 8 years of age. Progressive and severe central nervous system degeneration, mild somatic disease. Survival into the 3rd decade. Airway obstruction and cardiac failure are the most common direct causes of death.
Inheritance pattern: autosomal recessive
Incidence:[4] Type A - 1 in 114,000 live births Type B - 1 in 211,000 live births Type C - 1 in 1,407,000 live births Type D - 1 in 1,056,000 live births
Diagnosis: enzyme assay
Conditions with similar presentations:
Management: bone marrow transplantation in some cases
Other medical care: symptom management
 Hyperactivity with aggressive behavior  Delayed speech development  Severe hearing loss  Seizures  Profound mental retardation
 Minimal skeletal involvement  Mild joint stiffness
Gastrointestinal  Recurrent and sometimes severe diarrhea
 Delayed development  Early onset of puberty
Dermatologic  Coarse hair
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1. Neufeld EF, Muenzer J. The mucopolysaccharidoses. In: The Metabolic Bases of Inherited Disease. New York: mcgraw Hill, 2001; 3421-3452.
2. Clarke LA. Clinical diagnosis of lysosomal storage diseases. In: Applegarth DA, Dimmick JE, JG Hall. Organelle Diseases: Clinical Features, Diagnosis, Pathogenesis and Management. London: Chapman and Hall 1997; 37-71.
3. A guide to understanding Sanfilippo Syndrome. The National MPS Society, Inc.; 2000.
4. Meikle PJ, Hopwood JJ, Clague AE, Carey WF. Prevalence of Lysosomal Storage Disorders. JAMA. 1999; 281: 249-254. |