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  1. Home
  2. Health Library
  3. Diseases and Conditions
  4. Mucopolysaccharidosis type IV

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IV

Diseases and Conditions
MPS IV; Morquio syndrome; Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA; MPS IVA; Galactosamine-6-sulfatase deficiency; Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVB; MPS IVB; Beta galactosidase deficiency; Lysosomal storage disease - mucopolysaccharidosis type IV

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IV (MPS IV) is a rare disease in which the body is missing or does not have enough of an enzyme needed to break down long chains of sugar molecules. These chains of molecules are called glycosaminoglycans (formerly called mucopolysaccharides). As a result, the molecules build up in different parts of the body and cause various health problems.

The condition belongs to a group of diseases called mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs). MPS IV is also known as Morquio syndrome.

There are several other types of MPSs, including:

  • MPS I (Hurler syndrome; Hurler-Scheie syndrome; Scheie syndrome)
  • MPS II (Hunter syndrome)
  • MPS III (Sanfilippo syndrome)

MPS IV is an inherited disorder. This means it is passed down through families. If both parents carry a nonworking copy of a gene related to this condition, each of their children has a 25% (1 in 4) chance of developing the disease. This is called an autosomal recessive trait.

There are two forms of MPS IV: type A and type B.

  • Type A is caused by a defect in the GALNS gene. People with type A do not have an enzyme called N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase.
  • Type B is caused by a defect in the GLB1 gene. People with type B do not produce enough of an enzyme called beta-galactosidase.

The body needs these enzymes to break down long strands of sugar molecules called keratan sulfate. In both types, abnormally large amounts of glycosaminoglycans build up in the body. This can damage organs.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually start between ages 1 and 3. They include:

  • Abnormal development of bones, including the spine
  • Bell-shaped chest with ribs flared out at the bottom
  • Cloudy cornea
  • Coarse facial features
  • Enlarged liver
  • Heart murmur
  • Hernia in the groin
  • Hypermobile joints
  • Knock-knees
  • Large head
  • Loss of nerve function below the neck
  • Short stature with a particularly short trunk
  • Widely spaced teeth

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will perform a physical examination.

  • Abnormal curvature of the spine
  • Cloudy cornea
  • Heart murmur
  • Hernia in the groin
  • Enlarged liver
  • Loss of nerve function below the neck
  • Short stature (especially short trunk)

Urine tests are usually done first. These tests may show extra mucopolysaccharides, but they can't determine the specific form of MPS.

Other tests may include:

  • Blood culture
  • Echocardiogram
  • Genetic testing
  • Hearing test
  • Slit-lamp eye exam
  • Skin fibroblast culture
  • X-rays of the long bones, ribs, and spine
  • MRI of the lower skull and upper neck

Treatment

For type A, the medicine called elosulfase alfa (Vimizim), which replaces the missing enzyme, may be tried. It is given through a vein (IV, intravenously). Talk to your provider for more information.

Enzyme replacement therapy is not available for type B.

For both types, symptoms are treated as they occur. A spinal fusion may prevent permanent spinal cord injury in people whose neck bones are underdeveloped.

Support Groups

These resources can provide more information about MPS IV:

  • National MPS Society -- mpssociety.org
  • National Organization for Rare Disorders -- rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/morquio-syndrome
  • NIH Genetics Home Reference -- ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/mucopolysaccharidosis-type-iv

Outlook (Prognosis)

Cognitive function (ability to think clearly) is usually normal in people with MPS IV.

Bone problems can lead to major health problems. For example, the small bones at the top of the neck may slip and damage the spinal cord, causing paralysis. Surgery to correct such problems should be done if possible.

Heart problems may lead to death.

Possible Complications

These complications may occur:

  • Breathing problems
  • Heart failure
  • Spinal cord damage and possible paralysis
  • Vision problems
  • Walking problems related to abnormal curvature of the spine and other bone problems

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your provider if symptoms of MPS IV occur.

Prevention

Genetic counseling is recommended for couples who want to have children and who have a family history of MPS IV. Prenatal testing is available.

References

Pyeritz RE. Inherited diseases of connective tissue. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 260.

Spranger JW. Mucopolysaccharidoses. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 88.

Wraith JE. Mucopolysaccharidoses. In: Rimoin D, Korf B, eds. Emery and Rimoin's Principles and Practice of Medical Genetics. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2013:chap 102.

BACK TO TOP

Review Date: 5/1/2017

Reviewed By: Anna C. Edens Hurst, MD, MS, Assistant Professor in Medical Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

 
 
 

 

 

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Related Information

  • Enzyme

  • Autosomal recessive

  • Short stature

  • Mucopolysaccharidosis type III

  • Heart failure - overview

  • Heart failure

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