Liver disease and dyslipidemia as a manifestation of lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D). Clinical and diagnostic aspects, and a new treatment. An update

Arch Argent Pediatr. 2017 Jun 1;115(3):287-293. doi: 10.5546/aap.2017.eng.287.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D) is still a little recognized genetic disease with significant morbidity and mortality in children and adults. This document provides guidance on when to suspect LAL-D and how to diagnose it. It is recommended to add lysosomal acid lipase deficiency to the List of differential diagnoses of sepsis, oncological diseases, storage diseases, persistent diarrhea, chronic malnutrition, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. It should also be considered in young patients with dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis as well as diseases associated with fatty liver and/or hepatomegaly. LAL-D should be suspected in patients with hepatomegaly, hyperlipidemia and /or elevated transaminases found during routine checks or testing for other conditions, and in patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis. At present, there is the option of a specific enzyme replacement treatment.

La deficiencia de lipasa ácida lisosomal es una enfermedad genética aún poco reconocida, con significativa morbimortalidad en niños y en adultos. Esta guía orienta sobre cuándo sospechar la enfermedady cómo diagnosticarla. Serecomienda agregar la deficiencia de lipasa ácida lisosomal a la lista de diagnósticos diferenciales de las sepsis, enfermedades oncológicas, enfermedades de depósito, diarrea prolongada y desnutrición crónica y linfohistiocitosis hemofagocítica. Asimismo, se sugiere considerarla en pacientes jóvenes con dislipemia y arterioesclerosis y en enfermedades que ocurran con hígado graso y/o hepatomegalia. La hepatomegalia, hiperlipidemia y/o elevación de las transaminasas en ocasión de controles de rutina o de otras afecciones deberían hacer sospechar la deficiencia de lipasa ácida lisosomal, al igual que en pacientes con cirrosis criptogénica. Hoy existe la opción de un tratamiento de remplazo enzimático específico.

Keywords: Wolman disease; cirrhosis; dyslipidemias; lysosomal acid lipase deficiency; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dyslipidemias / etiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Liver Diseases / etiology
  • Wolman Disease / complications
  • Wolman Disease / diagnosis*
  • Wolman Disease / therapy*