title: Revised recommendations for the management of Gaucher disease in children.
abstract: Gaucher disease is an inherited pan-ethnic disorder that commonly begins in childhood and is caused by deficient activity of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase. Two major phenotypes are recognized: non-neuropathic (type 1) and neuropathic (types 2 and 3). Symptomatic children are severely affected and manifest growth retardation, delayed puberty, early-onset osteopenia, significant splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, thrombocytopenia, anemia, severe bone pain, acute bone crises, and fractures. Symptomatic children with types 1 or 3 should receive enzyme replacement therapy, which will prevent debilitating and often irreversible disease progression and allow those with non-neuropathic disease to lead normal healthy lives. Children should be monitored every 6 months (physical exam including growth, spleen and liver volume, neurologic exam, hematologic indices) and have one to two yearly skeletal assessments (bone density and imaging, preferably with magnetic resonance, of lumbar vertebrae and lower limbs), with specialized cardiovascular monitoring for some type 3 patients. Response to treatment will determine the frequency of monitoring and optimal dose of enzyme replacement. Treatment of children with type 2 (most severe) neuropathic Gaucher disease is supportive. Pre-symptomatic children, usually with type 1 Gaucher, increasingly are being detected because of affected siblings and screening in high-prevalence communities. In this group, annual examinations (including bone density) are recommended. However, monitoring of asymptomatic children with affected siblings should be guided by the age and severity of manifestations in the first affected sibling. Treatment is necessary only if signs and symptoms develop.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early detection and treatment of symptomatic types 1 and 3 Gaucher disease with regular monitoring will optimize outcome. Pre-symptomatic children require regular monitoring. Genetic counseling is important.
authors: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, 9th Floor, Colket Translational Research Building, Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. kaplan@email.chop.edu
authors: Paige
authors: P
authors: Kaplan
authors: Hagit
authors: H
authors: Baris
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: De Meirleir
authors: Maja
authors: M
authors: Di Rocco
authors: Amal
authors: A
authors: El-Beshlawy
authors: Martina
authors: M
authors: Huemer
authors: Ana Maria
authors: AM
authors: Martins
authors: Ioana
authors: I
authors: Nascu
authors: Marianne
authors: M
authors: Rohrbach
authors: Lynne
authors: L
authors: Steinbach
authors: Ian J
authors: IJ
authors: Cohen
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D018450:Disease Progression; D056947:Enzyme Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005776:Gaucher Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D005962:Glucosylceramidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D001617:beta-Glucosidase / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D001617:beta-Glucosidase; D005962:Glucosylceramidase