Farber's Disease: Infantile Type 1 and FD Type 4

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2009/04/01 - Updated: 2023/01/28
Topic: Pediatric Disabilities - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Farber's disease is included in a group of inherited metabolic disorders called lipid storage diseases when excess amounts of lipids build up to harmful levels. Farber's disease occurs when both parents carry and pass on the defective gene that regulates the lipid-protein sphingomyelin.

Introduction

Alternate Names: Acid Ceramidase Deficiency, Disseminated Lipogranulomatosis, Farber's Syndrome

Farber's disease (FD) is included in a group of inherited metabolic disorders called lipid storage diseases, in which excess amounts of lipids (oils, fatty acids, and related compounds) build up to harmful levels in the joints, tissues, and central nervous system.

The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) has included Farber's Disease (FD) - Infantile as a Compassionate Allowance to expedite a disability claim.

Main Item

Farber's disease (FD) is included in a group of inherited metabolic disorders called lipid storage diseases, in which excess amounts of lipids (oils, fatty acids, and related compounds) build up to harmful levels in the joints, tissues, and central nervous system. The liver, heart, and kidneys may also be affected. The disorder is caused by tissue accumulation of the lipid ceramide due to deficient activity of lysosomal ceramidase.

Infantile Type 1 and FD Type 4

Signs are typically seen in the first few weeks of life and include impaired motor and mental ability and difficulty with swallowing. Other signs may include demonstration/findings of subcutaneous nodules (lumps/masses under the skin), joint limitation, and laryngeal (vocal chord) involvement. The lungs are affected and individuals may require the insertion of breathing tube (tracheostomy). In severe cases, the liver and spleen are enlarged.

The disease occurs when both parents carry and pass on the defective gene that regulates the lipid-protein sphingomyelin. Children born to these parents have a 25 percent chance of inheriting the disorder and a 50 percent chance of carrying the faulty gene. The disorder affects both males and females.

Diagnosis is confirmed by laboratory findings of acid ceramidase activity, which is less than 6 percent of control values, measured in cultured skin fibroblasts (connective tissue cells), white blood cells or amniocytes.

Another diagnostic approach is the clinical findings (evidence) on biopsy, showing granulomas with macrophages containing lipid cytoplasmic inclusions in subcutaneous nodules (masses or lumps under the skin) or other tissues. Laboratory confirmation of ceramide accumulation in tissues by chromatography or mass spectrometry is also an established diagnostic test for FD.

Currently there is no specific treatment for FD. Corticosteroids can help relieve pain. Nodes can be treated with bone marrow transplants, in certain instances, or may be surgically reduced or removed. There is no treatment for the progressive neurologic and developmental impairments.

Limited neurodevelopment in the first year of life. Most children with Infantile FD type 1 and FD type 4 die by age 2, usually from lung disease.

Author Credentials: Ian was born and grew up in Australia. Since then, he has traveled and lived in numerous locations and currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Ian is the founder, a writer, and editor in chief for Disabled World. Ian believes in the Social Model of Disability, a belief developed by disabled people in the 1970s. The social model changes the focus away from people's impairments and towards removing barriers that disabled people face daily. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and achievements, .

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Citing and References

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Cite This Page: Disabled World. (2009, April 1 - Last revised: 2023, January 28). Farber's Disease: Infantile Type 1 and FD Type 4. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved April 27, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/health/pediatric/farbers-disease.php

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