They usually die by two years of age. Less common are later onset forms of Krabbe disease that affect children and adults. It is likely that different mutations in the GALC gene cause this variability in onset and severity of symptoms. Sometimes differences may occur even among family members. Researchers are currently trying to develop methods of treatment.
Symptoms usually start at three to six months of age.
Development may be normal up to that time. Children then have a more severe and rapid deterioration of mental and motor function. Eventually children lose mental and motor function, become deaf and blind, cannot move or speak, and typically must be fed through a tube. Death usually occurs within one year after symptoms appear. In this everlasting light.