Clinical Features of Infantile GM1 Gangliosidosis: Report of an Iranian Patient

Abstract

Background: GM1 gangliosidosis is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease due to a lack of β-galactosidase activity, exactly because of mutations in the GLB1 gene. GM1 gangliosidosis is a rare disease that could occur either during infancy (infantile type 1), as a juvenile (type 2), or in adulthood (type 3) in both nervous and skeletal systems. Type 1 is characterized by premature psychomotor deterioration, visceromegaly, macular cherry-red spot, skeletal deformities, and death in the first 2 years of life.

Case Presentation: We reported an Iranian infant who, on initial check-up, had coarse face, visceromegaly, dystonia, and hepatosplenomegaly that increased at 15 months of age. At the initial check-up, a genetic test was performed and GM1 gangliosidosis type 1 was diagnosed.

Conclusion: infant form is characterized by early-onset before the age of 6 months and rapidly progressive psychomotor deterioration, facial abnormalities, and visceromegaly.