Gaucher Disease

Gene : GBA

What is Gaucher disease?

Gaucher disease (GD) is a progressive inherited genetic disorder which occurs when a type of large fatty material (glucocerebroside) accumulates to excessive levels in multiple organs and tissues in the body. This is due to a defective enzyme called glucocerebrosidase. The liver, spleen, lungs and bone marrow are the most commonly affected organs. GD is classified into 3 major types. Type 1 GD is the most common form of the disease. Symptoms include an enlarged liver and spleen, a reduced number of red blood cells and platelets, bone abnormalities, and rarely, lung impairment. The brain and spinal cord, however, are usually not affected. The onset of type I GD varies from childhood to adult, and bone diseases have the greatest impact on the quality of life. Treatments are available for individuals who have these symptoms, including enzyme replacement therapy. Type 2 GD is known as the most severe form of the disease. Babies with type 2 GD are normally diagnosed in the newborn period with severe neurological symptoms which progress rapidly and death occurs by age two to four years. Although bone diseases are not present, other features of type 1 GD, as well as additional symptoms including abnormal eye movements, seizures, low muscle tone and brain damage are common in type 2 GD. Type 3 GD also shows neurological symptoms but is milder than type 2. The disease usually develops during childhood with slow progress. Individuals with type 3 GD may experience different combinations of neurological defects as well as symptoms shown in type 1 GD, and usually survive into the third or fourth decade of life. Enzyme replacement therapy is not effective or appropriate for those with type 2 and type 3 GD. Pathogenic variants in the GBA gene cause GD.

How is Gaucher disease inherited?

GD is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. This type of inheritance requires the presence of two copies of a pathogenic variant in the gene for a person to have the genetic disease. Both parents must be carriers of a pathogenic variant in the gene in order to be at risk to have an affected child. The child must inherit a pathogenic variant from each carrier parent in order to be affected. There is a 1 in 4 chance that a baby will inherit two mutated copies of the gene and be affected when both parents are carriers.

What does it mean to be a carrier?

There are generally no signs or symptoms associated with being a carrier for GD. However, the risk to have a child affected with GD is increased. Testing of reproductive partners is recommended for carriers of GD.

How common is Gaucher disease?

GD occurs in about 1 in 50,000 to 1 in 100,000 newborns in the general population. Type 1 GD is much more commonly seen in people with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, occurring about 1 in 500 to 1,000 newborns. Type 2 and Type 3 GD are very rare.

Family References and Resources
Clinician References
What is Analyzed?
  • Full gene sequencing
Affected Systems

Bone

Blood

Lungs

Liver

Carrier Rates
Ethnicity
Detection Rate
Carrier Frequency
Ashkenazi Jewish > 99% 1 in 18
General Population > 99% 1 in 153

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