Ataxia Telangiectasia

Also Know As Louis Bar Syndrome

Ataxia Telangiectasia

Ataxia telangiectasia (abbreviated to AT, otherwise known as Louis Bar syndrome) is rare, inherited disorder of the immune system, associated with a defect of white blood cells.

The malfunction of these white blood cells renders the body susceptible to infection. Infections, particularly those of the respiratory system, occur, leading to chronic illness. Patients also have an increased risk of cancer.

AT also causes defects in the part of the brain that regulates the body’s movements (the cerebellum). A lack of coordination results, and usually becomes most evident when the child begins to walk. Speech is slurred and the muscles weaken gradually, culminating in severe disability.

Meanwhile, the fine blood vessels (capillaries) in the skin and eyes dilate and become visible. These are known as ‘spider veins’. As AT progresses, all coordination is eventually lost, leading to paralysis. Dementia follows, and death usually occurs prior to the age of 30.

Efficacy of Alternative and Other Treatments According to GRADE* Ranking:

Megavitamin Therapy (Multivitamin, Vitamin Supplements) [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]:

Please Note that while supplements are effective in correcting deficiencies in the body, their long-term usage is not helpful in preventing diseases like cancer and heart disease. To prevent these illnesses one should eat the natural foods which these vitamins and minerals come from. Replacing natural sources with artificial supplements actually increases the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. Supplements should be taken only as a balanced multivitamin supplement that contains no more than 100% of the recommended daily allowance. It would be most helpful in people with restricted food intakes, pregnant women and women of childbearing age.

Recommendation: Weakly against. (There is no evidence that Megavitamin therapy can prevent or treat coronary heart disease. In fact, long term therapy can lead to increased risk)

Grade of Evidence: Moderate quality of evidence

Summary References

Treatments:

1. Ades T, Alteri R, Gansler T, Yeargin P, "Complete Guide to Complimentary & Alternative Cancer Therapies", American Cancer Society, Atlanta USA, 2009

2. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/orthomolecular-medicine

3. http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/163/2/192.pdf

4. http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/ortho.html

5. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/72/5/707

6. http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/no-index/about-ama/13638.shtml

7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17327526

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