Hunter syndrome is an inherited disease in which long chains of sugar molecules (mucopolysaccharides) are not broken down correctly and build up in the body.
Alternative Names
Mucopolysaccharidosis type II, Iduronate sulfatase deficiency
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Hunter syndrome is an inherited condition. Boys are most often affected.
The condition is caused by a lack of the enzyme iduronate sulfatase. Without this enzyme, mucopolysaccharides build up in various body tissues, causing damage.
The early-onset, severe form of the disease begins shortly after age 2. A late-onset, mild form causes less severe symptoms to appear later in life.
Genetic testing for change (mutation) in the iduronate sulfatase gene
Urine test for heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate
Treatment
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first treatment for Hunter syndrome. The medicine, called idursulfase (Elaprase), is given through a vein (intravenously). Talk to your doctor for more information.
Bone marrow transplant has been tried for the early-onset form, but the results can vary.
Each health problem should be treated separately.
Expectations (prognosis)
People with the early-onset (severe) form usually live for 10 - 20 years. People with the late-onset (mild) form usually live 20 - 60 years.
Loss of ability to complete daily living activities
Joint stiffness that leads to contractures
Mental function that gets worse over time
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if:
You or your child has a group of these symptoms
You know you are a genetic carrier and are considering having children
Prevention
Genetic counseling is recommended for couples who want to have children and who have a family history of Hunter syndrome. Prenatal testing is available. Carrier testing for female relatives of affected males is available at a few centers.
References
Muenzer J, Wraith JE, Beck M, et al. A phase II/III clinical study of enzyme replacement therapy with idursulfase in mucopolysaccharidosis II (Hunter syndrome). Genet Med. 2006 Aug;8(8):465-73.
Wraith JE. Mucopolysaccharidoses and oligosaccharidoses. In: Fernandes J, Saudubray J-m, van den Berghe G, Walter JH, eds. Inborn Metabolic Diseases: Diagnosis and Treatment. New York, NY: Springer;2006:chap 39.
Review Date:
5/16/2011
Reviewed By:
Chad Haldeman-Englert, MD, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Section on Medical Genetics, Winston-Salem, NC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
