Tay Sachs Disease
by Alyssa Alberti
What Is It?
Tay Sachs disease is a progressive, genetic condition that affects the nerve cells and the brain. There is a fatty substance (GM2 ganglioside) that builds up in the brain. It is caused when the two Tay Sach genes you have work improperly or have a mutation.
Symptoms
There are no emotional affects. There are mental affects that are stated below.
6-10 months: won’t meet motor milestones, can not sit, decreased eye movement
8-10 months: move less and become less responsive, loss of vision, seizures, trouble swallowingNormal Eye
small faint dot
Tay Sachs Eye
noticeable red dot
Tay Sachs Eye
noticeable red dot
Time Frame of Tay Sachs
- Child starts to show symptoms around 3 months old
- Progressive symptoms become more severe as the child gets older
- Typical lifespan is 3-4 years old
Problems Associated With the Tay Sachs
- Child will need all the care they can get due to loss of movement
- No cures or treatments for Tay Sachs disease
- Child has loss of ability to sit, stand, walk, talk etc.
- Only medication that may help child is to help seizures
Who Is Affected?
A child can only be affected by Tay Sachs disease if both parents are a carrier of it. If only one parent carries it, it is impossible for the child to be affected.
If you are Jewish, Irish, French-Canadian, or Cajun, it is highly recommended that you are tested to ensure that you are not a carrier of Tay Sachs Disease. The people of these heritages have a higher risk of being carriers.
Parents
- No changes will be necessary in your home
- Emotional support may be needed for family members
- Child is too young to be enrolled in school, therefore no support in school is needed