Table 3.

Arylsulfatase A Deficiency: Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis

System/ConcernEvaluationComment
Neurologic
  • Neurologic eval
  • Measurement of arylsulfatase A enzyme activity
  • Measurement of urinary sulfatide excretion
  • Brain MRI to assess myelin integrity
  • EEG if concern for seizures
  • Peripheral nervous system eval, such as nerve conduction studies, can be used to monitor disease progression or responses in therapeutic trials.
  • BAERs can be used to assess progression in late-infantile MLD.
To assess disease progression & evaluate need for possible intervention
Referral for HSCT eval, either allogeneic HSCT (US) or autologous gene-modified HSCT (EU & UK), preferably at institution w/expertise in allogenic HSCT in persons w/metabolic disordersFor those identified presymptomatically or predicted to have late-onset MLD (For more specific criteria see Targeted Therapy.)
Development Developmental assessment
  • To assess disease progression
  • To incl motor, adaptive, cognitive, & speech-language eval
  • Eval for early intervention / special education
Neurobehavioral/
Psychiatric
Neuropsychiatric evalFor persons age >12 mos: screening for concerns incl ADHD, school & work performance issues, & psychiatric manifestations
Hearing Audiologic evalAssess for hearing loss.
Vision Visual assessment
Genetic counseling By genetics professionals 1To inform affected persons & their families re nature, MOI, & implications of MLD to facilitate medical & personal decision making
Family support
& resources
By clinicians, wider care team, & family support organizationsAssessment of family & social structure to determine need for:

ADHD = attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; BAERs = brain stem auditory evoked responses; EU = European Union; HSCT = hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; MLD = metachromatic leukodystrophy; MOI = mode of inheritance; UK = United Kingdom; US = United States

1.

Medical geneticist, certified genetic counselor, certified advanced genetic nurse

From: Arylsulfatase A Deficiency

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