What is the treatment of Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy?

Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy is a rare inherited neurological disorder. The condition affects a part of the nerve cell called axons that carries messages from the brain to the rest of the body. It can lead to vision loss, loss of muscle control and mental skills.

Causes

The exact cause of the condition is not known yet but it is believed that INAD is the result of an abnormal accumulation of toxic substances in the nerves that communicate with the muscles, skin and the conjunctive tissues of the eyes. It is a autosomal recessive disorder which means that both the parents are the carriers of the defective gene responsible for causing INAD.

Symptoms

The symptoms of the condition begin to appear within two years of the life and these include :

• Loss of head control
• loss of the ability to sit, walk, crawl or walk
• vision loss
• speech problems
• Seizures
• Distinctive facial deformities including prominent forehead, crossed eyes, small nose or jaw, large set of ears.

Treatment

Although there is no cure for the condition, the treatment is basically symptomatic and supportive.  The patient may be prescribed medications for pain relief and sedation. Parents can take help from the physiotherapists and other physical therapists to learn how to take proper care of their child. They can learn how to position and seat their child and what exercises can provide comfort to the legs and arms.

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