Canavan disease

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Canavan disease

Canavan disease is an inherited disease that causes the progressive loss of the regions of the brain through which nerve impulses travel to other parts of the brain or to the spinal cord (white matter). Loss of white matter gives the brain a porous, degenerative appearance.

Babies with this disease appear normal after birth. Later they become floppy (hypotonic), are not able to control head movements, and by 5 to 8 months are developmentally delayed. Children with this disease usually have an enlarged head, mental retardation, seizures, and feeding difficulties.

The severity of Canavan disease varies. Although some children live into their early twenties, most die before age 4.

There is no treatment for the cause of Canavan disease. Support groups and counseling may be helpful for families of children with Canavan disease. Genetic testing is recommended to identify carriers of the disease and help guide decisions about having children.

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Author	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Siobhan M. Dolan, MD, MPH - Reproductive Genetics
Last Updated	April 23, 2008

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Last updated:	April 23, 2008
Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Reviewed By:	Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine, Siobhan M. Dolan, MD, MPH - Reproductive Genetics
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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