Adrenoleukodystrophy, Autosomal

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

This early onset and rapidly progressive form of adrenoleukodystrophy is rare.  The early onset and rapidly fatal course of the disease has limited full delineation of the ocular features.  The most striking is the presence of 'leopard-spots' pigmentary changes in the retina.  Polar cataracts, strabismus, and epicanthal folds have also been reported. 

Systemic Features: 

Onset of symptoms occurs shortly after birth often with seizures and evidence of psychomotor deficits.  Rapid neurologic deterioration begins at about 1 year of age with death usually by the age of 3 years.  Hyperpigmentation of the skin may be apparent a few months after birth.  Opisthotonus has been observed.  The ears may be low-set, the palate is highly arched, and the nostrils anteverted.  Frontal bossing may be present.  Serum pipecolic acid and very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) can be markedly elevated.  Cystic changes in the kidneys have been reported. 

Genetics

This is an autosomal recessive peroxismal disorder resulting from homozygous mutations in receptor gene mutations such as PEX1, PEX5, PEX13, and PEX26.

There is also an X-linked recessive adrenoleukodystrophy (300100) sometimes called ALD but it lacks some of the morphologic features and is somewhat less aggressive. 

Neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy along with infantile Refsum disease (266510, 601539) and Zellweger syndrome (214100) are now classified as Zellweger spectrum or perioxismal biogenesis disorders.

Treatment
Treatment Options: 

Treatment is mainly supportive for associated health problems. 

References
Article Title: 

References

Chen WW, Watkins PA, Osumi T, Hashimoto T, Moser HW. Peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzyme proteins in adrenoleukodystrophy: distinction between X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy and neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy. Proc Natl AcadSci U S A. 1987 Mar;84(5):1425-8.

PubMedID: 3469675

Cohen SM, Green WR, de la Cruz ZC, Brown FR 3rd, Moser HW, Luckenbach MW, Dove DJ, Maumenee IH. Ocular histopathologic studies of neonatal and childhood adrenoleukodystrophy. Am J Ophthalmol. 1983 Jan;95(1):82-96.

PubMedID: 6295171