Rare Hematology News

Advertisement

Disease Profile

Lesch Nyhan syndrome

Prevalence
Prevalence estimates on Rare Medical Network websites are calculated based on data available from numerous sources, including US and European government statistics, the NIH, Orphanet, and published epidemiologic studies. Rare disease population data is recognized to be highly variable, and based on a wide variety of source data and methodologies, so the prevalence data on this site should be assumed to be estimated and cannot be considered to be absolutely correct.

1-9 / 1 000 000

US Estimated

Europe Estimated

Age of onset

Infancy

ageofonset-infancy.svg

ICD-10

E79.1

Inheritance

Autosomal dominant A pathogenic variant in only one gene copy in each cell is sufficient to cause an autosomal dominant disease.

no.svg

Autosomal recessive Pathogenic variants in both copies of each gene of the chromosome are needed to cause an autosomal recessive disease and observe the mutant phenotype.

no.svg

X-linked
dominant X-linked dominant inheritance, sometimes referred to as X-linked dominance, is a mode of genetic inheritance by which a dominant gene is carried on the X chromosome.

no.svg

X-linked
recessive Pathogenic variants in both copies of a gene on the X chromosome cause an X-linked recessive disorder.

rnn-xlinkedrecessive.svg

Mitochondrial or multigenic Mitochondrial genetic disorders can be caused by changes (mutations) in either the mitochondrial DNA or nuclear DNA that lead to dysfunction of the mitochondria and inadequate production of energy.

no.svg

Multigenic or multifactor Inheritance involving many factors, of which at least one is genetic but none is of overwhelming importance, as in the causation of a disease by multiple genetic and environmental factors.

no.svg

Not applicable

no.svg

Other names (AKA)

LNS; HPRT deficiency, complete; Lesch-Nyhan syndrome;

Categories

Blood Diseases; Congenital and Genetic Diseases; Kidney and Urinary Diseases;

Summary

Lesch Nyhan syndrome is a condition characterized by neurological and behavioral abnormalities and the overproduction of uric acid in the body. It occurs almost exclusively in males. Signs and symptoms may include inflammatory arthritis (gout), kidney stones, bladder stones, and moderate cognitive disability. Nervous system and behavioral disturbances also occur, such as involuntary muscle movements and self injury (including biting and head banging). People with Lesch Nyhan syndrome usually cannot walk, require assistance sitting, and generally use a wheelchair.[1][2] Lesch Nyhan syndrome is caused by changes (mutations) in the HPRT1 gene and is inherited in an X-linked recessive manner.[1] Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. Affected people often do not survive past the first or second decade of life due to renal failure.[2]

Symptoms

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
80%-99% of people have these symptoms
Abnormality of movement
Movement disorder
Unusual movement

[ more ]

0100022
Behavioral abnormality
Behavioral changes
Behavioral disorders
Behavioral disturbances
Behavioral problems
Behavioral/psychiatric abnormalities
Behavioural/Psychiatric abnormality
Psychiatric disorders
Psychiatric disturbances

[ more ]

0000708
Gout
0001997
Hemiplegia/hemiparesis
Paralysis or weakness of one side of body
0004374
Hyperuricemia
High blood uric acid level
0002149
Intellectual disability, mild
Mental retardation, borderline-mild
Mild and nonprogressive mental retardation
Mild mental retardation

[ more ]

0001256
Intellectual disability, moderate
IQ between 34 and 49
0002342
Spasticity
Involuntary muscle stiffness, contraction, or spasm
0001257
30%-79% of people have these symptoms
Anemia
Low number of red blood cells or hemoglobin
0001903
Hematuria
Blood in urine
0000790
Renal insufficiency
Renal failure
Renal failure in adulthood

[ more ]

0000083
Percent of people who have these symptoms is not available through HPO
Abnormality of extrapyramidal motor function
0002071
Choreoathetosis
0001266
Dysarthria
Difficulty articulating speech
0001260
Dysphagia
Poor swallowing
Swallowing difficulties
Swallowing difficulty

[ more ]

0002015
Dystonia
0001332
Generalized hypotonia
Decreased muscle tone
Low muscle tone

[ more ]

0001290
Hyperreflexia
Increased reflexes
0001347
Hyperuricosuria
High urine uric acid level
0003149
Intellectual disability
Mental deficiency
Mental retardation
Mental retardation, nonspecific
Mental-retardation

[ more ]

0001249
Megaloblastic anemia
0001889
Motor delay
0001270
Muscular hypotonia
Low or weak muscle tone
0001252
Nephrolithiasis
Kidney stones
0000787
Opisthotonus
0002179
Podagra
0001854
Self-injurious behavior
Self-injurious behaviour
0100716
Short stature
Decreased body height
Small stature

[ more ]

0004322
Testicular atrophy
Testicular degeneration
0000029
Vomiting
Throwing up
0002013
X-linked recessive inheritance
0001419

Diagnosis

Making a diagnosis for a genetic or rare disease can often be challenging. Healthcare professionals typically look at a person’s medical history, symptoms, physical exam, and laboratory test results in order to make a diagnosis. The following resources provide information relating to diagnosis and testing for this condition. If you have questions about getting a diagnosis, you should contact a healthcare professional.

Testing Resources

  • The Genetic Testing Registry (GTR) provides information about the genetic tests for this condition. The intended audience for the GTR is health care providers and researchers. Patients and consumers with specific questions about a genetic test should contact a health care provider or a genetics professional.

    Organizations

    Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

    Organizations Supporting this Disease

      Organizations Providing General Support

        Learn more

        These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

        Where to Start

        • MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.
        • Genetics Home Reference (GHR) contains information on Lesch Nyhan syndrome. This website is maintained by the National Library of Medicine.
        • The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) collects and disseminates research information related to neurological disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
        • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.

          In-Depth Information

          • GeneReviews provides current, expert-authored, peer-reviewed, full-text articles describing the application of genetic testing to the diagnosis, management, and genetic counseling of patients with specific inherited conditions.
          • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
          • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
          • Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a catalog of human genes and genetic disorders. Each entry has a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 
          • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
          • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Lesch Nyhan syndrome. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

            References

            1. Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Genetics Home Reference. February, 2013; https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/lesch-nyhan-syndrome.
            2. NINDS Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome Information Page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). 2013; https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Lesch-Nyhan-Syndrome-Information-Page.
            3. William L Nyhan, J Patrick O'Neill, Hyder A Jinnah, and James C Harris. Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome. GeneReviews. May 15, 2014; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1149/. Accessed 1/14/2015.

            Rare Hematology News