Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease Treatment & Management

No specific treatment for Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease is known. Medical therapy is limited to supportive care, such as the use of physical therapy, orthotics, and antispasticity agents, including intrathecal baclofen. Regular physical medicine or orthopedic evaluations, physical therapy, and careful attention to posture and seating can help to minimize the development of joint contractures, dislocations, and kyphoscoliosis.

Patients who are severely affected (ie, those who have connatal Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease) need special attention directed to airway protection and may need anticonvulsant therapy. Developmental assessment is important to maximize cognitive achievement and to assist in proper educational program assignment.

Pharmacologic therapy

When indicated, antiepileptic medications should be used. Antispasticity medications, such as baclofen, tizanidine, or benzodiazepines, may be beneficial.

Constipation is a common complication and may require the use of mild laxatives, such as senna, fiber supplements, or osmotic agents, such as polyethylene glycol 3350 (MiraLAX, Enemeez).

Surgical care

Tracheostomy may be needed during infancy if stridor impairs respiratory function. Feeding tube placement may be needed if oral feeding is inadequate to maintain weight or sustain normal growth in a child with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, or if oral feeding poses a significant risk of aspiration.

Some patients with severe spasticity, especially children, may benefit from intrathecal baclofen, as well as from surgical release of contractures and other orthopedic procedures, including the use of spinal rods to correct severe scoliosis.

Activity

Within their capabilities, patients should be encouraged to be active for their physical and emotional well-being. A physiatrist or physical therapist can be helpful in providing guidelines for a specific child. Aquatic therapy can be a helpful exercise to maintain leg strength, as well as an enjoyable form of recreation.

Genetic counseling and prenatal testing

Competent genetic counseling must be provided to the family of an affected individual to provide the most accurate prognosis for the patient and to educate the family about the implications for future pregnancies.

Confirmation of the disease is likely to have implications for more distant relatives and for the immediate family. Prenatal testing and preimplantation genetic testing are possible and should be offered when appropriate. Identification of a causative mutation would be essential before prenatal testing could be performed. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is possible when a mutation is known.

Consultation with a geneticist and a genetic counselor is essential for parents of an affected child to educate them about Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease and the risks to future offspring; consultation may also be critical for establishing and confirming the diagnosis.

Neonates with the connatal form of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease should be evaluated by a pulmonologist and perhaps by a neonatal swallowing specialist to evaluate airway safety and swallowing safety, respectively. Feeding tube placement may be necessary.

Regular consultation with a physiatrist or orthopedist and therapy team should be arranged. As the child grows, the physiatrist can help to optimize the patient’s mobility and strengthening and maximize the patient’s capabilities. The use orthotics, custom seating and cushions, and other aids is important for minimizing the development of joint dislocations and kyphoscoliosis. For severe contractures or scoliosis, orthopedic consultation may be beneficial.

Communication therapy, including training in use of communication devices, is often valuable. In addition, a pediatric developmental specialist should be consulted to optimize the child's educational program and to maximize the patient’s functional and learning capabilities.