beta-mannosidase deficiency in a female infant with epileptic encephalopathy.

We report a female infant with an isolated deficiency of beta-mannosidase activity. At nine months of age dysmorphism was absent except for brachecephaly. There was moderate developmental delay and a startle response to sound. At 12 months there was a sudden onset of tonic-clonic seizures which were unresponsive to drug therapy, requiring paralysis and mechanical ventilation for control. The child died suddenly aged 15 months. beta-mannosidase activity was markedly reduced in white cells and cultured skin fibroblasts whilst other lysosomal enzymes were normal. The disaccharide ManGlcNAc was excreted in urine but urinary mucopolysaccharides were normal.