Krabbe disease is classified in four types or forms, depending on when symptoms first appear. Infantile Krabbe Disease (IKD) for onset up to 12 months, Late Infantile Krabbe Disease (LIKD) for onset 1 year to 3+ years of age, Juvenile Krabbe Disease (JKD) for onset 4 to17 years, and Adult Krabbe Disease (AKD) for onset after 18 years.
Infantile Krabbe Disease (IKD)
Onset of symptoms: 0 – 1 year
Infantile Krabbe Disease (IKD) is the most severe form affecting ~85-90% of all cases.1 As with many lysosomal storage disorders, babies may appear normal for the first few months of life and then begin to develop noticeable symptoms. The onset of symptoms of the Infantile form appears clinically between 0 to 1 year of age. Learn more about IKD symptoms diagnosis and treatment.
Some of the key characteristics associated with Infantile Krabbe disease are:
- Extreme irritability, above and beyond colic
- Sensitivity to sound; easily startles
- Severe acid reflux; appears not to keep a majority of feedings down
- Significant decrease in daily consumption of formula/breast milk
- Loss of milestones; no longer tracks objects or giggles
Late Infantile Krabbe Disease (LIKD)
Onset of symptoms: 1 year – 3+ years
Symptoms of the Late Infantile Krabbe Disease (LIKD) usually present between 1 year of age to 3+ years of age. Learn more about diagnosis, treatment and care of LIKD.
Some of the key characteristics associated with Infantile Krabbe disease are:
- Loss of acquired milestones
- Abnormal muscle tone
- Slow to develop motor skills
- Walking Abnormalities
Juvenile Krabbe Disease (JKD)
Onset of symptoms: 4 – 17 years
In a relatively small number of patients, Krabbe disease does not appear until later in childhood or adolescence (between 4 to 17 years of age). The onset of symptoms can present quickly or slowly over time. There is also a variable rate at which the disorder progresses. Learn more about diagnosis, treatment and care of JKD.
The clinical symptoms of Juvenile Krabbe Disease are quite varied but some notable characteristics are as follows:
- Loss of manual dexterity and fine-motor skills; unable to button a shirt
- Peripheral neuropathy; complaints about tingling or burning sensation in hands or feet
- Lower limb weakness; appears to trip over their feet or fall more
- Deceased mental acuity; trouble remembering people’s names or simple words
Adult Krabbe Disease (AKD)
Onset of symptoms: 18+ years
Adult Krabbe disease (referred to as AKD) is described as presenting in adults aged 18 and older. The onset of symptoms usually progresses slowly over time. In fact, many adults are often misdiagnosed or experience symptoms for a long time without a formal diagnosis. Learn more about diagnosis, treatment and care of AKD.
The clinical symptoms of Adult Krabbe Disease are quite varied but some notable characteristics are as follows:
- Loss of manual dexterity and fine-motor skills; unable to button a shirt
- Peripheral neuropathy; complaints about tingling or burning sensation in hands or feet
- Lower limb weakness; appears to trip over their feet or fall more
- Deceased mental acuity; trouble remembering people’s names or simple words
If you are newly diagnosed with Krabbe disease, please reach out to our toll free number 1 (800) 800-5509.
1 Wenger DA. Krabbe Disease. 2000 Jun 19 [Updated 2011 Mar 31]. In: Pagon RA, Adam MP, Ardinger HH, et al., editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2017.