Menkes Disease

Menkes disease (MD) is an inherited condition that impacts the way the body processes copper levels in the body. MD primarily affects the nervous system and connective tissue with symptoms that tend to get worse over time. Symptoms of MD usually appear within the first few months of life and include sparse, kinky hair; slow growth (failure to thrive); and seizures. Additional features may include low muscle tone (hypotonia), sagging facial features, and developmental and intellectual disability. Most children with MD have severe symptoms that lead to death at an early age. Occipital horn syndrome is a less severe form of MD that begins in early to middle childhood. The adult-onset form is the least severe and primarily impacts the nerves and muscles. MD is caused by alterations (mutations) in the ATP7A gene and is inherited in an X-linked recessive pattern. MD mainly affects boys. Early treatment with copper may improve the long-term outcome in some children with this disease.