Glossary / Lexicon

Niemann-Pick disease refers to a biochemical disorder affecting a lipid (fat) called sphingomyelin which results resulting usually in progressive enlargement of the liver and spleen (hepatos plenomegaly), "swollen glands" (lymphadenopathy), anemia and mental and physical deterioration. Niemann-Pick disease is hereditary and follows an autosomal recessive pattern.

The classical form of the disease is Niemann-Pick disease type A. Its onset is in very early infancy and death is usually before age three (3). The lipid accumulates in cells called reticuloendothelial cells in the liver and spleen and in other types of cells throughout the body including the nerve ganglion cells of the central nervous system. The neurological features include mental retardation, spasticity, seizures, jerks, eye paralysis (ophthalmoplegia) and ataxia (wobbliness). Physical growth is retarded. The gastrointestinal features include hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, hepatic (liver) failure, and ascites (fluid in the abdomen). Eye hallmarks of Niemann-Pick disease include the "cherry red spot" in the macula in the center of the retina, opacity of the cornea and brown discoloration of the lens capsule. Respiratory problems include pulmonary infiltration. Coronary artery disease occurs early. There is easy bruising. Typical cells (called Niemann-Pick cells) that have a foamy appearance due to their storage of sphingomyelin are found in the bone marrow, spleen and lymph nodes. These unusual cells help in establishing the diagnosis. The sphingomyelin accumulation is due to deficiency of the enzyme sphingomyelinase. The gene for this enzyme and hence the location of the gene for Niemann-Pick disease type A is in chromosome band 11p15.4-p15.1.

At least five (5) 5 forms of Niemann-Pick disease have been distinguished: the classical infantile form (type A), the visceral (organ) form (type B), the subacute or juvenile form (type C), the Nova Scotian variant (type D), and the adult form (type E).

The disease is named for the German physicians Albert Niemann (1880-1921) and Ludwig Pick (1868-1944). Other names for the disease include Sphingomyelin lipoidosis and Sphingomyelinase deficiency.