An Infantile Case of Sandhoff Disease Presenting With Swallowing Difficulty

Jae-Gun Moon1, Min-A Shin1, Hannah Pyo1

  • 1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Rehabilitation Center, Seoul, Korea.

Insights

Sandhoff disease, a rare genetic disorder, presents in infants with motor skill loss and seizures. This case highlights rapid nutritional decline in a child with Sandhoff disease due to swallowing difficulties.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Genetics
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Sandhoff disease is a rare neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder.
  • Infants typically appear normal until 3-6 months, then develop progressive neurological symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a rare case of Sandhoff disease in a 22-month-old girl.
  • To describe the challenges of dysphagia and nutritional decline in this patient.
  • To review the literature on Sandhoff disease management.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a 22-month-old female with Sandhoff disease.
  • Clinical observation of motor weakness, dysphagia, and aspiration.
  • Assessment of nutritional status and feeding difficulties.

Main Results:

  • The patient presented with progressive motor weakness and dysphagia at 20 months.
  • Oromotor dysfunction and abnormal feeding posture complicated swallowing.
  • Rapid decrease in food intake and nutritional status deterioration occurred within 3 months.

Conclusions:

  • Dysphagia significantly impacts nutritional status in Sandhoff disease.
  • Early identification and management of feeding issues are crucial.
  • This case underscores the challenges in managing advanced Sandhoff disease.

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