Abstract:
Objective: Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disease (LSD), that occurs due to deficient activity of the enzyme alpha-galactosidase A (a-GalA) with multisystemic involvement. The disease can present with a wide range of symptoms, from mild form to the severely affected classical male phenotype with early organ failure and associated morbidity and mortality.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with FD at Dr. Sami Ulus Maternity and Child Health Training and Research Hospital were enrolled. Phenotypic and genotypic presentations of 10 cases from three unrelated families have been evaluated. Diagnoses of relatives of index patients were reached by family screening. Clinical, laboratory and molecular genetic analysis of patients were collected.

Results: A total of 10 patients including 7 males, (mean age 31.8, range: 14-59 years) and 3 females, (mean age 44.6, range: 40-51 years) were evaluated. Various multisystem manifestations were observed, including cardiac, neurological, cerebrovascular and ophtalmological involvement. Eight out of ten patients had hypohydrosis, 4/10 had angiokeratomas and hearing loss. All male and female patients had abdominal pain and 9/10 had neuropathic pain. Among 7 male patients, 6 had renal complications and 2 of them reached end stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring renal replacement therapy. Concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, was the most common echocardiographic finding along with mitral regurgitation.

Conclusion: ERT may slow down the progression of disease if inititated early. To ensure early diagnosis, it is important to recognize the symptoms of FD. Family screening may help patients to be identified at the presymptomatic phase of the disease. That’s why the awareness of pediatricians should be increased about Fabry Disease.

Keywords: Fabry Disease, multisystemic involvement, Alpha-galactosidase A