children s health issues
Gaucher Disease
Types of Gaucher disease
Type 1 Gaucher disease,the chronic form of Gaucher disease, is the most common and usually begins during childhood. It results in an enlarged liver and spleen and bone abnormalities. Type 1 Gaucher disease may lead to severe liver disease, including increased risk of bleeding from the stomach and esophagus and liver cancer. Type 2 Gaucher diseaseis the rarest form. It occurs during infancy and usually causes death by age 2 years. Affected infants have an enlarged spleen and severe neurologic problems (such as seizures and rigid limbs). Type 3 Gaucher disease,the juvenile form, can begin at any time during childhood. Children with type 3 disease have an enlarged liver and spleen, bone abnormalities, eye problems, and slowly progressive neurologic problems (such as dementia and lack of coordination [ataxia]). Children who survive to adolescence may live for many years. 