Disorders we test for

Below is a list of the recessive disorders covered on Jnetics’ carrier test. It includes the name and brief description of each disorder, followed by the relevant at-risk population(s) and associated carrier frequencies.

Please note, optional testing for Fragile X is only available at the Jnetics Clinic.

Ashkenazi population
Sephardi/Mizrahi population
Ashkenazi and Sephardi/Mizrahi population

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

ABCC8-related Hyperinsulinism

A disorder characterised by abnormally high insulin production leading to episodes of low blood sugar. Episodes can cause serious complications and death if not managed properly. Symptoms and their severity vary. Life-threatening if not managed properly but, with appropriate treatment, affected individuals can lead normal lives.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 44

More information →

Acute Infantile Liver Failure

A disorder characterised by temporary liver failure and associated symptoms such as jaundice, vomiting, impaired ability for blood to clot and various liver problems. Patients who survive the initial liver failure can recover and show normal development.

Yemenite Jewish: 1 in 34

More information →

Asparagine Synthetase Deficiency

A severe neurological disorder associated with developmental delays, small head and seizures. Symptoms begin in utero or at birth and the disorder is usual fatal in infancy.

Iranian Jewish: 1 in 80*

More information →

Bardet-Biedl Syndrome

A condition associated with progressive worsening of vision, childhood obesity, extra digits on the hands and feet, kidney problems, reduced function of testes or ovaries, and learning disabilities.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 107

More information →

Bloom Syndrome~

A condition characterised by increased risk of infections and cancer, as well as poor growth and increased sensitivity to light. There is no cure; treatment involves managing and monitoring the risk of cancer. Lifespan varies but is typically up to 30 years due to cancer.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 134

More information →

Canavan Disease~

A progressive disease of the nervous system. Symptoms often develop in infancy and can include low muscle tone, large head size, intellectual disability and seizures. Life expectancy varies, but Canavan disease is typically fatal in the second decade. There is no treatment.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 55

More information →

Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase II Deficiency

A disorder associated with an inability of the body to use certain fats for energy. Three different forms: (1) Myopathic form – least severe, good prognosis, characterised by muscle degeneration and weakness, triggered particularly by fasting. (2) Severe infantile form- fasting leads to metabolic disorders which may lead to sudden death in infancy. (3) Lethal neonatal form – fasting leads to metabolic disorders and abnormal body structure, almost always lethal in the first months of life.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 51

More information →

Congenital Amegakaryocytic Thrombocytopenia

A disorder characterised by an inability to make platelets, which are part of the blood and help with clotting and preventing bleeding. This can lead to bruising, life-threatening bleeds and increased risk of certain blood cancers. Treatment includes blood transfusions and stem cell transplant.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 55

More information →

Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation Ia

A condition affecting many body systems. Symptoms and age of onset varies. Symptoms can include low muscle tone, abnormal distribution of fat and developmental delays. Treatment is mostly symptoms-based, such as medication to prevent seizures. Many babies affected by the disorder die before birth.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 57

More information →

Costeff Optic Atrophy Syndrome

A neurological disorder associated with vision loss beginning in infancy, and movement disorder beginning in childhood. Life expectancy is unknown, but affected individuals have lived into their 30s.

Iraqi Jewish: 1 in 50

More information →

Cystic Fibrosis~

A progressive disorder associated with build-up of thick mucus in the lungs and digestive system. Leads to symptoms including chronic respiratory infections, lung damage, poor growth, pancreatic issues and infertility in males. With treatment, lifespan can approach 50+ years.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 24

General population: 1 in 32

More information →

Cystinosis

A disorder characterised by build-up of an amino acid called cystine, leading to damage of the kidneys or eyes and sometimes other organs including the brain and liver. Medications can help the disorder by lowering the levels of cystine in the body. Kidney transplant may also be part of treatment. Life expectancy to 50 years or beyond can be achieved with proper treatment.

Moroccan Jewish: 1 in 100*

More information →

Dihydrolipamide Dehydrogenase Deficiency

A disorder characterised by Life-threatening problems with metabolism, leading to abnormalities with the brain or liver beginning in infancy. Typically, there will be periods of time with symptoms and periods without symptoms. Many affected children do not survive the first few years of life.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 107

More information →

Familial Dysautonomia~

A disorder of the nervous system, associated with symptoms including inability to regulate body temperature and respond to pain. No cure; treatment focusses on managing symptoms. Average life expectancy is about 40 years.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 31

More information →

Fanconi Anaemia C~

Associated with impaired bone marrow function, physical abnormalities, organ defects and increased risk of cancer. Typically fatal by around age 30. There is no cure.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 99

More information →

Fanconi Anemia, Complementation group A

A disorder associated with impaired bone marrow function, physical abnormalities, organ defects and increased risk of cancer. Typically fatal by around age 30.

Moroccan Jewish: 1 in 100*

Indian Jewish: 1 in 27*

More information →

Fumarase Deficiency

A condition affected the brain and other parts of the nervous system. Symptoms include low muscle tone, developmental delays, and failure to thrive. Life expectancy is typically only a few months, but few individuals have lived into early adulthood.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 99*

More information →

Galactosemia

A condition affecting the body’s ability to process a type of sugar called galactose. Symptoms in infants include feeding difficulties, lethargy, and failure to thrive, developmental delay and cognitive impairment. Can be managed with dietary restriction.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 127

More information →

Glycogen Storage Disease 1a~

A condition characterized by abnormally low blood sugar levels, enlarged liver and kidneys, and impaired growth – that results from the build-up of stored glycogen in the body. The main symptoms can be treated with strict dietary management.  

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 64

More information →

Glycogen Storage Disease Type II/Pompe Disease

A disorder caused by a build-up of glycogen in the body’s cells, which leads to damage of muscle cells and other cell types. Early onset form is associated with severe heart and respiratory problems and death in infancy occurring if there is no intervention. Later onset forms are not associated with heart issues, but individuals experience respiratory problems and muscle weakness.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 76*

Sephardi (unspecified population(s): **

More information →

Glycogen Storage Disease Type III

A condition associated with a build-up of glycogen in cells, leading to impairment in the function of the liver, muscles and other tissues. Low blood sugar begins in infancy and some affected individuals develop liver failure and muscle weakness later in life. Treatment involves strict diet monitoring.

Moroccan Jewish: 1 in 37

More information →

Glycogen Storage Disease Type VII

A disease associated with the inability of muscle cells are unable to break down the complex sugar glycogen. Severity and symptoms are the disorder can vary, with severest forms causing death before the age of one. Other severe symptoms include low muscle tone, heart disease and breathing difficulties. The late-onset form of the disease is less severe.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 100-120*

More information →

Infantile Cerebral Cerebellar Atrophy

A severe progressive condition associated with swallowing difficulties, failure to thrive beginning in infancy, microcephaly (small head size) which gets worse over time, high muscle tone, intellectual disability and seizures. Life expectancy is not currently known.

Bukharian/Kurdish Jewish: 1 in 20*

More information →

Joubert Syndrome 2

A disorder characterised by problems with the development of the brain, leading to symptoms such as low muscle tone, developmental delays and intellectual disabilities. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 92

More information →

Maple Syrup Urine Disease type 1B

A condition associated with the inability to process certain amino acids (the building blocks of proteins). Symptoms include poor feeding, vomiting, lethargy, and developmental delays. Life-threatening if not treated. Prognosis varies depending on symptom severity and early diagnosis.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 97

More information →

Megalencephalic Leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts

A disorder impacting brain development and function, characterised by an enlarged brain with fluid-filled spaces. Other features include irregular muscle coordination, muscle stiffness, developmental delays, intellectual disability and seizures. Prognosis varies between individuals.

Libyan Jewish: 1 in 40*

More information →

Metachromatic Leukodystrophy

A disorder associated with progressive loss of brain functions and motor skills, such as the ability to walk. Incontinence, seizures, paralysis and blindness develop over time. Symptoms can begin in early childhood or adolescence. In general, the earlier symptoms start, the more rapidly the disease progresses.

Yemenite Jewish: 1 in 50*

More information →

Mitochondrial Complex I Deficiency

A disorder affecting important intracellular structures known as mitochondria. Symptoms begin in first year of life and usually results in death within 2-3 years due to respiratory failure. Other symptoms can include difficulty feeding, failure to thrive, poor muscle tone and problems with movement and balance.

Jews from Caucasus: **

More information →

Mucolipidosis IV~

A neurodegenerative condition that is characterised by significant psychomotor and cognitive development delay, visual impairment, and poor muscle tone.  Most reported cases have been severe, with onset in the first year of life, but some milder cases have also been seen. Treatment focusses on managing symptoms and preventing secondary complications.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 100

More information →

Nemaline Myopathy 2

A disorder primarily affecting skeletal muscle. Muscle weakness which typically worsens over time and can lead to problems with feeding and breathing. There is no cure. Treatment involves managing complications of the disease. The age at which symptoms start, severity of symptoms and the prognosis varies between individuals.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 108

More information →

Niemann Pick Disease (Type A) ~

A severe neurodegenerative condition in which a harmful amount of a fatty substance accumulates in various organs, causing rapid deterioration and death in infancy. Symptoms appear by about 6 months of age and include loss of brain function and enlargement of the liver and spleen.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 115

More information →

Omenn Syndrome

A type of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), resulting in no immune protection from bacteria, viruses and fungi, leading to persistent, serious infections. Standard treatment is bone marrow or cord blood stem cell transplant. The disorder is fatal if left untreated.

Iraqi Jewish: **

More information →

Polycystic Kidney Disease, Autosomal Recessive

A disorder causing cysts on the kidneys and linked to recurrent infections and high blood pressure. Many infants with the disease die hours or days after birth due to breathing difficulties. Children with the disease require careful monitoring to ensure adequate growth, medication can be used to control high blood pressure. Many individuals require dialysis and kidney transplant as the disease progresses.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 107

More information →

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia

A disorder impacting the respiratory system, associated with increased respiratory infections, leading to chronic lung inflammation. Treatment involves managing infections and inflammation, some patients may require lung transplantation.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 113*

More information →

Progressive Cerebello-Cerebral Atrophy 1

A neurological disorder associated with symptoms begin in first year of life and include intellectual disability, developmental delay, and microcephaly (small head size) which gets worse over time. Many children with the condition live only into infancy or childhood, though some have lived into adulthood. Also known as pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 2D.

Moroccan/Iraqi Jewish: 1 in 44*

More information →

Progressive Cerebello-Cerebreal Atrophy 2

A neurodegenerative disorder beginning in infancy, characterised by intellectual disability, microcephaly (small head size) which gets worse over time, and seizures. Also known as pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 2E.

Moroccan Jewish: 1 in 37*

More information →

Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome

A condition associated with an impairment in the body’s ability to make cholesterol leading to hypotonia, failure to thrive and birth defects such as cleft palate. There is currently no cure, but cholesterol supplements may improve symptoms. Prognosis depends on severity of symptoms.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 36

More information →

Spinal Muscular Atrophy

A severe neurodegenerative disorders associated with progressive degeneration of cells in the spinal cord and brainstem, resulting in muscle weakness and degeneration of muscle mass. Life expectancy varies, but severe forms of the disorder can cause fatality in infancy or childhood. Genetic testing for SNM1 can be extremely complex.

General population: 1 in 54

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 67

More information →

Tay Sachs Disease~

A severe progressive neurological disorder associated with loss of brain functioning in infancy, which gets worse over time and usually leads to death in early childhood. Symptoms include muscle weakness, seizures, and blindness.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 25

Moroccan/Iraqi Jewish: 1 in 110-140*

More information →

Tryosinemia Type 1

A condition characterized by a build-up of an amino acid called tyrosine in the blood. This leads to failure to thrive, softening of bones, liver and kidney disease and problems with the nervous system. If diagnosed early symptoms can be managed by diet restrictions.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 150

More information →

Usher Syndrome Type IIIA

A disorder characterised to progressive hearing loss from childhood or early teens, requiring hearing aids by mid-to-late adulthood. Night blindness begins during adolescence and progresses to severe vision loss by midlife. Chance of balance problems later in life.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 120

More information →

Usher Syndrome Type 2

A disorder characterised by moderate to severe hearing loss at birth. Hearing aids are usually beneficial. Decreased night vision occurs by adolescence, progressing to severe vision loss by midlife.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 35*

Iranian Jewish: 1 in 60*

Iraqi Jewish: 1 in 50-100*

More information →

Usher Syndrome Type IF

A condition associated with profound hearing loss or deafness from birth. Hearing aids are usually not beneficial,  but may be a candidate for cochlear implants. Decreased night vision starts by age 10, progressing to severe vision loss by midlife. Symptoms also include severe balance problems from birth.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 72

More information →

Walker-Warburg Syndrome

A severe neurological disorder associated with a smooth brain surface, eye abnormalities, feeding difficulties, seizures, low muscle tone and intellectual disability. Usually fatal in the first year of life. Also referred to as muscular dystrophy-dystroglycanopathy type A4.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 150

More information →

Wolman Disease/Cholesteryl Ester Storage Disease

A severe disorder characterised by the body’s inability to properly breakdown and use fats and cholesterol. Therefore, fats and cholesterol build up, particularly in the liver, leading to liver and spleen enlargement, low muscle town, vomiting, diarrhoea, developmental delay, poor absorption of nutrients from food.

Iranian Jewish: 1 in 27-45*

More information →

Zellweger Syndrome Spectrum (PEX6 related)

Spectrum of disorders, caused by degeneration of nerve cell coverings, with overlapping signs and symptoms such as low muscle town, feeding problems, hearing and vision loss, seizures, skeletal abnormalities and distinctive facial abnormalities. The severe form of the disease is typically fatal in infancy. Milder forms progress slower and can be variable, but life expectancy is still reduced.

Yemenite: 1 in 18*

More information →

Zellweger Syndrome Spectrum (PEX2 related)

* Please note that this condition was not included in the expanded panel between September 2021 and May 2023. Please contact us if you wish to be tested for this.

Spectrum of disorders, caused by degeneration of nerve cell coverings, with overlapping signs and symptoms such as low muscle town, feeding problems, hearing and vision loss, seizures, skeletal abnormalities and distinctive facial abnormalities. The severe form of the disease is typically fatal in infancy. Milder forms progress slower and can be variable, but life expectancy is still reduced.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 123

More information →

Fragile X Syndrome ***

An X-linked disorder and the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability. The severity of intellectual disability varies between individuals and is generally more severe in males. Life span is usually normal.

Ashkenazi Jewish: 1 in 115

General Population: 1 in 151

More information →

~disorder was covered in Jnetics test prior to launch of new test in September 2021

*exact carrier frequency unknown but condition described in some Jewish families from named population

**disorder is severe and often included in Jewish carrier tests but carrier data is sparse.

***a variable and complex X-linked recessive disorder – opt in available for women participating in The Jnetics Clinic.