Tay-Sachs disease

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There is no treatment for Tay-Sachs disease itself, only ways to make the patient more comfortable.

The stress of illness may be eased by joining support groups whose members share common experiences and problems. See Tay-Sachs - support group.

Children affected with this disease have progressive symptoms and usually die by 4 - 5 years of age.

Symptoms appear during the first 3 - 10 months of life and progress to spasticity, seizures, and loss of all voluntary movements.

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if your child has a seizure of unknown cause, if the seizure is different from previous seizures, if the child has difficulty breathing, or if the seizure lasts longer than 2 - 3 minutes.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if your child experiences a seizure lasting less than 2 - 3 minutes or has other noticeable behavioral changes.

Review Date: 02/02/2007
Reviewed By: Leisha M. Andersen, M.D., Private Practice specializing in Pediatrics, Denver, CO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.