Niemann-Pick Type A disease is a severe neurodegenerative condition which cannot be treated. Symptoms appear by about 6 months of age and include loss of brain function and enlargement of the liver and spleen. Death usually occurs by 2 to 3 years of age due to infections such as pneumonia.

The carrier frequency of Niemann-Pick disease in the Ashkenazi Jewish population is approximately 1 in 90. Carrier screening allows a detection rate of about 95%.

More information:

• Information on Niemann-Pick Type A Disease from the Mount Sinai Medical Center
• Niemann-Pick Disease Center at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine
• Learn about genetic testing for Niemann-Pick Disease on the GDF’s Know Your Genes website