Abetalipoproteinemia (ABL) is a rare hereditary disorder associated with fat metabolism. Know what it is, its occurrence, causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, and also glance over other vital information about the condition.
Definition of Abetalipoproteinemia
The human body needs essential nutrients to grow and develop. Due to genetic defects, nutritional deficiencies may arise which can lead to serious degenerative diseases. ABL is one such disease. It is characterized by the inability to absorb dietary fats, vitamins, and cholesterol – leading to deficiency of multiple vitamins. ABL patients lack the ability to manufacture fat or cholesterol-carrying lipoproteins in the blood. Inadequacy of essential vitamins and fats in the body of ABL sufferers affects their growth and development.
Abetalipoproteinemia Synonyms
ABL is known by several other names like:
Picture 1 – Abetalipoproteinemia
- Bassen-Kornzweig Syndrome
- Betalipoprotein Deficiency Disease
- Abetalipoproteinemia neuropathy
- Familial hypobetalipoproteinemia
- Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein Deficiency Disease
- Congenital betalipoprotein deficiency syndrome
- Acanthocytosis
- Apolipoprotein B deficiency
Abetalipoproteinemia Causes
This is an autosomal recessive disease caused due to a mutated gene for MTTP or microsomal triglyceride transfer protein. A copy of the altered gene is carried by parents of affected individuals. Despite acting as carriers, they are usually asymptomatic themselves. This gene arbitrates the making of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, which in turn makes the beta-lipoproteins. When it is altered, its functions are reduced.
In the absence of these lipoproteins, fats do not get digested or transported across the bloodstream. This dearth of lipoproteins not only causes nutritional deficiencies but also paves the path for neurological problems in ABL patients. Although a deficiency of multiple vitamins occurs, according to observation, Vitamin E is severely lacking in these individuals.
Symptoms of Abetalipoproteinemia
The signs of this syndrome become apparent in childhood, a few months after birth. Some of these worsen by the time a patient turns 30 or 40 years old. A host of symptoms, which start appearing in children from the first decade of their life, may include the following.
- Diarrhea
- Reduced growth during infancy
- Inability to gain weight
- Bulging of the belly
- Inadequate growth, even in normal conditions
- Fatty, foul smelling or bloody stool
- Delay in mental development/mental retardation
- Problem with movement or body balance (Ataxia). On reaching 40 years or beyond, problem with walking increases.
- Degeneration of retina, which may manifest as poor vision or near-blindness
- Hypesthesia, or difficulty with senses like touch
- Difficulty in speaking
- Trembling movements
- Kyposcoliosis, which occurs due to curvature of the spine
- Other skeletal problems, which may include clubbed feet
- Anemia and difficulty in blood clotting
- Acanthycytosis – aberration in red blood cells
- Muscular atrophy
Diagnosis of Abetalipoproteinemia
An initial diagnosis of the disease in a child can be made by consulting his or her medical history. Stomach ailments may prompt initial investigation, which would be followed up with significant diagnostic measures like:
- Stool sample examination, to test Steatorrhea
- Blood test for fat soluble vitamins like D, A, K and E, complete blood count (CBC), Apolipopritein B and cholesterol
- Nerve conduction velocity
- Electromyography
- Eye tests
- Muscle strength testing
- Endoscopy
If the findings show presence of fat in stool, lack of apolipoprotein, enterocytes containing vacuoles with lipids and low chylomicron levels, it can be diagnosed as ABL.
Abetalipoproteinemia Differential Diagnosis
A differential diagnosis is required to distinguish the symptoms of ABL from those of other disorders like:
- Crohn’s disease
- Viral Gastroenteritis
- Ulcerative colitis
- Homozygotic hypobetalipoproteinemia
Treatment for Abetalipoproteinemia
Some of these plans can be adopted for managing the symptoms of this disease:
- The treatment of ABL mainly considers supplements of vitamins in the absence of medical therapy specifically targeted at them. However, for treating symptoms like diarrhea, medicines might be administered.
- Children with ABL have to be on strict diet to counter the adverse effects of the disease. Diet should be typically low on fatty acids and must comprise food devoid of long chain triglycerides. For intestinal symptoms, avoidance of triglycerides may help. A nutritionist would be able to guide the patients better.
- In order to aid the body in producing and refurbishing the lipoproteins, plenty of Vitamin E supplements are taken.
- Vitamin E therapy can help in reducing symptoms related to the muscle or nerves. Along with varied supplements of vitamin D, E, A and K, Linoleic acid is also prescribed.
- In order to treat weakened muscles and dyspraxia, physiotherapy is administered. To counter problems with blood clotting, vitamin K therapy can be followed.
- Apart from these treatments, patients with ABL should be introduced to support groups that work for creating awareness and harmony amidst such individuals.
Abetalipoproteinemia Incidence
ABL has a rare occurrence, which becomes visible during childhood. According to available data, 1 among 70, 00,000 people get affected with the condition. Boys are more susceptible to this disease.
Abetalipoproteinemia Life Expectancy
Lack of treatment may reduce the normal life span of ABL patients and put them at risk. According to available evidence, morbidity can be averted to a great extent by putting patients on vitamin replacement therapy. However, this is not fully equipped to save an affected person from degeneration. As a result of the impending complications, sufferers may not live beyond 30 or 40 years. Spur cell anemia is often life-threatening and life expectancy suffers due to Neuroacanthocytosis.
Abetalipoproteinemia Prognosis
The outcome of the disease is favorable in cases that are diagnosed early. In cases that are detected earlier, complications can be managed by dietary supplements and initial treatments. With the extent of nervous system and brain disorders, prognosis may vary. Damages are often caused to the nervous system by the age of 35 or 40 years, in case of a severe form of ABL. Serious degenerations may be caused due to complications arising from ABL.
Abetalipoproteinemia Prevention
Genetic testing can be conducted to discover the chances of its occurrence. This test studies the DNA of individual which may shed light on the occurrence of several such inherited diseases. It helps in preventing serious degenerations to a great extent. By taking fat-soluble vitamins in adequate amounts, progressive degenerative disorders like loss of eyesight or retinal damage can be checked. Early medical intervention is required to prevent severity of the disease.
Abetalipoproteinemia Complications
The long-term complications of ABL include:
Picture 2 – Abetalipoproteinemia Image
- Retinis pegmentosa: Damage caused to the retina, which may even cause blindness.
- Cataracts: Clouding of the eye lens, which creates difficulty in sight.
- Disorder of the brain and spine.
Abetalipoproteinemia During Pregnancy
Complications have rarely been reported to result from ABL during pregnancy. In a certain case, postpartum hemorrhage was noted in a pregnant woman. If the disease is kept without treatment, it may lead to multiple organ dysfunctions during labor. It is important to check out the entire medical history to find out any such complication of the puerperium.
