Be on the lookout for the symptoms of metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD)
Symptoms can be hard to identify and can progress rapidly
Symptom affects the patient’s motor function
Symptom affects the patient’s cognitive functionA child with MLD may have trouble lifting their head upright. You may notice that your child appears to have lost control of their head.
You may notice your child having difficulty going from crawling to standing or showing instability when it comes to balance. This is associated with a condition called ataxia. They may have frequent falls, walk unsteadily, and/or sometimes lose their balance.
Children may experience tremors or shaking in their hands or feet. Keep an eye on any slight tremors or shaking that occurs.
An eye condition called nystagmus is a symptom associated with MLD. This is when your child displays involuntary eye movements, such as their eyes moving back and forth or up and down.
This could happen for a period of time and then disappear, but even if it’s brief, it’s still abnormal and can be an early sign of MLD.
Children with MLD may appear cross-eyed or have eyes that are misaligned. This can happen overnight, and their eyes may stray towards the right, left, up, or down. This is called strabismus and can happen in one or both eyes.
This could happen for a period of time and then disappear, but even if it’s brief, it’s still abnormal and can be an early sign of MLD.
If a child is missing certain expected milestones or is more developmentally delayed than the average child, this could be a sign of MLD. You may notice this if your child is not able to say more than a few words or has regressed, meaning they were able to do something before but no longer can.
Children with MLD may have weakened reflexes and loss of sensation in certain areas of the body.
Children with MLD will typically display abnormal movement patterns or instability when it comes to balance. They may have frequent falls associated with a condition called ataxia.
Children may experience tremors or shaking in their hands or feet. Keep an eye on any slight tremors or shaking that occurs.
A cognitive sign of MLD is difficulty learning or forgetfulness. You may notice a decline in their school performance, issues with comprehension and concentration, or a regression in writing.
You may see your child experience personality changes or behavioral issues. Children with MLD may be impulsive or have trouble with sleep.
Children with MLD may lose the ability to control urination and bowel movements.
Children may have trouble with their motor coordination, including functions like picking up small objects and drawing or coloring.
Children with MLD will typically display abnormal movement patterns or instability when it comes to balance. They may have frequent falls associated with a condition called ataxia.
Children may experience tremors or shaking in their hands or feet. Keep an eye on any slight tremors or shaking that occurs.
A cognitive sign of MLD is difficulty learning or forgetfulness. You may notice a decline in their school performance, issues with concentration, or a regression in writing.
You may see your child experience personality changes or behavioral issues. Children with MLD may be impulsive or have trouble with sleep.
Children with MLD may show declines in their language and thinking abilities.
Children with MLD may experience decreased social interactivity due to disruptions in their behavior and reduced physical and mental abilities.
You may notice some changes in behavior in an adult with MLD.
An adult with MLD may display mental difficulties or thinking that appears jumbled.
Adults with MLD may have a consistent decline in their school or job performance or a decline in their intellectual abilities.
Adults with MLD will display psychiatric symptoms, such as schizophrenia or hallucinations.
If an adult is having seizures, there is a possibility they have MLD.
A sign of MLD in adults may be a loss of the ability to control urination and bowel movements.
