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Copyright 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007
Synonyms of Hunter Syndrome
- MPS Disorder II
- MPS II
- Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II
Disorder Subdivisions
General Discussion
Hunter syndrome, also known as mucopolysaccharidosis II, is a rare inborn error of metabolism characterized by inadequate production of an enzyme known as iduronate sulfatase, which is needed to break down complex sugars produced in the body. Symptoms include growth delay, joint stiffness, and coarsening of facial features. In severe cases, patients experience respiratory and cardiac problems, enlargement of the liver and spleen, and neurological deficits. The disorder can lead to premature death in severe cases.
Hunter syndrome is one of a group of hereditary metabolic diseases known as the mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), which in turn are part of a group known as lysosomal storage disorders. Lysosomes function as the primary digestive units within cells. Enzymes within lysosomes break down or digest particular nutrients, such as certain carbohydrates and fats. In individuals with MPS disorders, including Hunter syndrome, deficiency or improper functioning of lysosomal enzymes leads to an abnormal accumulation of certain complex carbohydrates in cells within various tissues, such as the skeleton, joints, brain, spinal cord, heart, spleen, or liver.
Initial symptoms and findings associated with Hunter syndrome usually become apparent in children from two to four years of age. Such abnormalities may include progressive growth delays, resulting in short stature; joint stiffness, with associated restriction of movements; and coarsening of facial features, including thickening of the lips, tongue, and nostrils. Affected children may also have an abnormally large head (macrocephaly), a short neck and broad chest, delayed tooth eruption, progressive hearing loss, and enlargement of the liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly). Two relatively distinct clinical forms of Hunter syndrome have been recognized. In the late-onset, mild form of the disease (MPS IIB), intelligence may be normal or only slightly impaired. However, in the early-onset, more severe form (MPS IIA), profound mental retardation may be apparent by late childhood. In addition, slower disease progression tends to occur in those with the mild form of the disorder.
Hunter syndrome is inherited as an X-linked recessive trait. Mild and severe forms of the disorder result from changes (mutations) of a gene (i.e., IDS gene) that regulates production of the iduronate sulfatase enzyme. The IDS gene is located on the long arm (q) of chromosome X (Xq28).
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Organizations related to Hunter Syndrome
- Arc
1660 L Street, NW, Suite 301
Washington DC 20036
Phone #: 202-534-3700
800 #: 800-433-5255
e-mail: info@thearc.org
Home page: http://www.thearc.org
- CLIMB (Children Living with Inherited Metabolic Diseases)
Climb Building
176 Nantwich Road
Crewe Intl CW2 6BG
Phone #: 084-5 2-41 2174
800 #: 080-0 6-52 3181
e-mail: info.svcs@climb.org.uk
Home page: http://www.CLIMB.org.uk
- Canadian Society for Mucopolysaccharide and Related Diseases, Inc.
PO Box 30034
RPO Parkgate
North Vancouver
British Columbia Intl V7H 2Y8
Phone #: (60-4) -924-5130
800 #: 1-8-00--667-1846
e-mail: info@mpssociety.ca
Home page: http://www.mpssociety.ca
- Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg MD 20898-8126
Phone #: 301-251-4925
800 #: 888-205-2311
e-mail: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/EmailForm.aspx
Home page: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD
- Hide & Seek Foundation for Lysosomal Disease Research
6475 East Pacific Coast Highway Suite 466
Long Beach CA 90803
Phone #: 877-621-1122
800 #: N/A
e-mail: info@hideandseek.org
Home page: http://www.hideandseek.org
- Let Them Hear Foundation
1900 University Avenue, Suite 101
East Palo Alto CA 94303
Phone #: 650-462-3143
800 #: 877-735-2929
e-mail: info@letthemhear.org
Home page: http://www.letthemhear.org
- MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay WI 54301-1243
Phone #: 920-336-5333
800 #: 877-336-5333
e-mail: mums@netnet.net
Home page: http://www.netnet.net/mums/
- Madisons Foundation
PO Box 241956
Los Angeles CA 90024
Phone #: 310-264-0826
800 #: N/A
e-mail: getinfo@madisonsfoundation.org
Home page: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org
- March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains NY 10605
Phone #: 914-997-4488
800 #: 888-663-4637
e-mail: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Home page: http://www.marchofdimes.com
- NIH/National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive & Kidney Diseases
Endocrine Diseases Metabolic Diseases Branch
2 Information Way
Bethesda MD 20892-3570
Phone #: 301-654-3810
800 #: --
e-mail: NDDIC@info.niddk.nih.gov
Home page: http://www.niddk.nih.gov
- National MPS (Mucopolysaccharidoses/Mucolipidoses) Society, Inc.
PO Box 14686
Durham NC 27709-4686
Phone #: 919-806-0101
800 #: --
e-mail: info@mpssociety.org
Home page: http://www.mpssociety.org
- Society for Mucopolysaccharide Diseases
MPS House
Repton Place
White Lion Road
Amersham
Buckinghamshire None HP7 9LP.
Phone #: 004-401-494 434156
800 #: --
e-mail: mps@mpssociety.co.uk
Home page: http://www.mpssociety.co.uk
- Vaincre Les Maladies Lysosomales
2 Ter Avenue
Massy None 91300
Phone #: 01 -69 -75 40 30
800 #: --
e-mail: accueil@vml-asso.org
Home page: http://www.vml-asso.org
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