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Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) (mucopolysaccharides)

Category Biochemistry
Test background

GAGs or mucopolysaccharides are long unbranched polysaccharides, made up of repeating disaccharides (eg. glucuronic acid, glucosamine, galactosamine and iduronic acid). They form an important component of connective tissues and chains may be covalently linked to proteins to form proteoglycans. The mucopolysaccharidoses are a group of inherited metabolic diseases caused by the absence or malfunctioning of any one of the 11 lysosomal enzymes that degrade GAGs which, over time, accumulate within cells, connective tissue and the blood. Pathology manifests as neurological disorder (mental retardation, impaired motor function), recurrent respiratory infections, obstructive airway disease and skeletal malformation.

Clinical Indications

Presentation of classic failure to thrive symptomology in infants/children with (especially) profound mental retardation, the appearance of ‘Gargoyle-like’ skeletal lesions and cardiovascular complaint Dysmorphic presentation

Reference range

See report

Sample & container required Random urine
Sample volume 10 mL
Turnaround time 5 weeks
Notes

Not currently performed in house; this is a referred test. Please contact Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) metabolic/enzyme laboratory directly for more information.