Question: I have a list of questions about Tay sachs disease and clubfoot   1. what is TSD/Clubfoot, and how does it effect a baby  2. what causes both? can it be prevented, treated, or cured  3. How common is TSD? how common is Clubfoot  4. How can your &quot;agency&quot; help a women/couple who are concerned about this congenital condition, and is there a cost?  If you can answer these few questions I would be thankful, please get back as soon as you can.

Reference:
Tay-Sachs Disease: Tay-Sachs disease is a inherited metabolic disease caused by the harmful buildup of lipids (fatty materials such as oils and acids) in various cells and tissues in the body.  It is part of a group of genetic disorders called the GM2 gangliosidoses.  Tay-Sachs and its variant form are caused by a deficiency in the enzyme hexosaminidase A.  Affected children appear to develop normally until about age 6 months.  Then, symptoms begin and include progressive loss of mental ability, dementia, blindness, increased startle reflex to noise, progressive loss of hearing leading to deafness, and difficulty with swallowing.  Seizures may begin in the child's second year. Persons with Tay-Sachs also have "cherry-red" spots in their eyes.  A much rarer form of the disorder, called late-onset Tay-Sachs disease, occurs in individuals in their twenties and early thirties and is characterized by an unsteady gait and progressive neurological deterioration. The incidence of Tay-Sachs has been particularly high among people of Eastern European and Askhenazi Jewish descent., as well as in certain French Canadians and Louisiana Cajuns. Affected individuals and carriers of Tay-Sachs disease can be identified by a blood test that measures hexosaminidase A activity. Both parents must carry the mutated gene in order to have an affected child. In these instances, there is a 25 percent chance with each pregnancy that the child will be affected with Tay-Sachs disease. Prenatal diagnosis is available if desired.  A very severe form of Tay-Sachs disease is know as Sandhoff disease, which is not limited to any ethnic group. Presently there is no specific treatment for Tay-Sachs disease. Anticonvulsant medicine may initially control seizures. Other supportive treatment includes proper nutrition and hydration and techniques to keep the airway open. Children may eventually need a feeding tube. Even with the best of care, children with Tay-Sachs disease usually die by age 4, from recurring infection.

Answer: Tay-Sachs disease is caused by the harmful buildup of lipids in various cells and tissues in the body.  Affected children appear to develop normally until about age 6 months.  Then, symptoms begin and include progressive loss of mental ability, dementia, blindness, increased startle reflex to noise, progressive loss of hearing leading to deafness, and difficulty with swallowing.  Seizures may begin in the child's second year. Persons with Tay-Sachs also have "cherry-red" spots in their eyes.  Affected individuals and carriers of Tay-Sachs disease can be identified by a blood test. Both parents of a child that inherits this metabolic disease must have the mutated gene. There is no specific treatment for Tay-Sachs disease. Anticonvulsant medicine may initially control seizures. Other supportive treatments include proper nutrition and hydration and techniques to keep the airway open. Children may eventually need a feeding tube. Even with the best of care, children with Tay-Sachs disease usually die by age 4, from recurring infection.