Familial Hypobetalipoproteinemia

Familial hypobetalipoproteinemia (FHBL) is a disorder that impairs the body's ability to absorb and transport fats, causing low levels of cholesterol in the blood. The severity of the condition varies widely. Mildly affected people may have no signs or symptoms. Many affected people develop an abnormal buildup of fats in the liver (called hepatic steatosis, or fatty liver). In severe cases, this may progress to cirrhosis. Some people also have digestive problems in childhood, resulting in failure to thrive. FHBL is usually caused by mutations in the APOB gene. In a few cases, it may be caused by mutations in other genes, or the cause may be unknown. It is inherited in an autosomal codominant manner; a mutation in one copy of the APOB gene can cause the condition, but changes in both copies of the gene cause more severe symptoms. Management may include reducing fat in the diet and vitamin E supplementation.