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A non-neoplastic or neoplastic disorder that affects the small or large intestine.
No HPO annotations are available for this condition.
Age of onset: newborn period.
Abetalipoproteinemia typically presents in infancy with failure to thrive, diarrhea, vomiting, and malabsorption of fat. The absence of apo B-containing lipoproteins and resulting deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins lead to multisystem manifestations as the affected individual ages. Gastrointestinal. Steatorrhea is the primary gastrointestinal manifestation. The severity relates to the fat content of the diet.
No formal clinical diagnostic criteria for abetalipoproteinemia have been published.
Classic abetalipoproteinemia presents from birth with failure to thrive, severe diarrhea and vomiting, and malabsorption of fat. Abetalipoproteinemia should be suspected in children with the following clinical and supportive laboratory findings .
Clinical features
Failure to thrive, with diarrhea and vomiting
No approved treatments are currently available for intestinal disorder. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with abetalipoproteinemia, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended. Table 3. Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis in Individuals with Abetalipoproteinemia
Clinical evaluation every six to 12 months, including assessment of diet and any gastrointestinal or neurologic symptoms, is recommended. The following evaluations are also recommended for abetalipoproteinemia . Table 5. Recommended Surveillance for Individuals with Abetalipoproteinemia
55 clinical trials registered, 15 recruiting. Interventions under study include other interventions. Pipeline includes 4 PHASE4, 1 PHASE3, 4 PHASE2. Research is primarily sponsored by academic and government institutions.
NCT ID | Title | Phase | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
[NCT07355777](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07355777) |
Data assembled from 4 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 18, 2026, 5:38 PM UTC
Source: GeneReviews — "Abetalipoproteinemia"
Fat malabsorption with steatorrhea
Hepatomegaly
Loss of night and/or color vision
Acquired atypical pigmentation of the retina
Spinocerebellar ataxia and myopathy
Supportive laboratory findings
Source: GeneReviews — "Abetalipoproteinemia"
Table 2. Disorders to Consider in the Differential Diagnosis of Abetalipoproteinemia
Differential Disorder | Gene | MOI | Clinical Features of Differential Disorder |
|---|---|---|---|
APOB | AR | Clinical features are indistinguishable. | Only distinguishing feature: lipid levels in heterozygotes. Obligate heterozygote parents have:; Normal lipid levels in abetalipoproteinemia;; LDL-cholesterol levels 50% of normal in hypobetalipoproteinemia. Chylomicron retention disease |
SAR1B | AR | May be clinically similar (failure to thrive, steatorrhea) | In chylomicron retention disease, LDL-cholesterol apoB levels are low but not absent; triglyceride is normal creatine kinase is high (1.5-5x upper reference limit); affected persons do not typically develop pigmentary retinopathy or acanthocytosis. McLeod neuroacanthocytosis syndrome (MLS) |
XK | XL | Acanthocytosis | MLS is X-linked; affected persons have normal lipid profiles no manifestations of fat-soluble vitamin deficiency (e.g., retinal disease, bone abnormalities, coagulopathy). Friedreich ataxia |
FXN | AR | Broad-based, high stepping gait; Loss of proprioception | Affected persons have normal lipid profiles no manifestations of fat-soluble vitamin deficiency (e.g., retinal disease, bone abnormalities, coagulopathy). AD = autosomal dominant; AR = autosomal recessive; MOI = mode of inheritance; XL = X-linked |
Source: GeneReviews — "Abetalipoproteinemia"
Biomarker and diagnostic research for intestinal disorder has been reported in the published literature.
System/Concern |
|---|
Evaluation |
|---|
Comment |
|---|
General | Growth parameters | To assess for poor growth Gastrointestinal |
Hematologic | Complete blood count | To evaluate for anemia /or hemolysis INR |
Ophthalmologic | Referral to ophthalmologist | For eval of visual acuity pigmentary retinopathy |
Neurologic | Referral to neurologist | If evidence of neurologic abnormality (e.g., ataxia, loss of deep tendon reflexes) |
Endocrinologic | Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) | While thyroid function is not typically abnormal, TSH should be evaluated at least once. |
Other | Consultation w/clinical geneticist /or genetic counselor | HDL = high-density lipoprotein; INR = international normalized ratio; LDL = low-density lipoprotein Treatment of Manifestations The following treatment is recommended for abetalipoproteinemia to address symptoms and prevent complications . Table 4. |
Treatment of Manifestations in Individuals with Abetalipoproteinemia Manifestation/Concern | Treatment | Considerations/Other |
Growth deficiency | Ensure adequate caloric intake.1 | Consider referral to nutritionist. |
Steatorrhea | Low-fat diet (10%-20% of total calories)2 | Total fat intake of 20% is not likely to be tolerated. Oral essential fatty acid supplementation |
Steatotic liver w/o fibrosis | Restriction of dietary fat | Because fatty liver develops w/o active inflammation, no need for anti-inflammatory treatment Hepatic fibrosis |
/or cirrhosis | Liver transplantation may be considered.3 | A very rare complication, esp w/early diagnosis treatment Deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins |
Anemia | Mild anemia typically requires no treatment; occasionally vitamin B12 or iron is given in addition to fat-soluble vitamins. | — |
Increased INR | Vitamin K supplementation (See above.) | Abnormal visual |
acuity | Vitamin A supplementation can arrest progression of visual impairment prevent development of eye complications. | — |
Dysarthria | Speech language therapy | W/early vitamin E supplementation dysarthria is rare. Ataxia |
Hypothyroidism | Standard treatment w/thyroid hormone replacement | INR = international normalized ratio; OT = occupational therapist; PT = physical therapist With proper treatment, a normal growth velocity can be achieved in affected persons; however, affected persons may not meet their full growth potential, even after treatment . 2. |
Source: GeneReviews — "Abetalipoproteinemia"
Avoid fatty foods, particularly those rich in long-chain fatty acids.
Source: GeneReviews — "Abetalipoproteinemia"
Search ClinicalTrials.gov in the US and EU Clinical Trials Register in Europe for information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions. Note: There may not be clinical trials for this disorder.
Source: GeneReviews — "Abetalipoproteinemia"
55 trials found
System/Concern
Evaluation |
|---|
Frequency |
|---|
General | Assessment of growth parameters | At every visit |
Gastrointestinal | Lipid profile1 | Every several yrs2; Liver function tests3; Fat-soluble vitamin levels4,5 |
Eyes | Ophthalmologic eval | Every 6-12 mos6 Neurologic |
Source: GeneReviews — "Abetalipoproteinemia"
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NA |
Centre Hospitalier Saint Joseph Saint Luc de Lyon |
RECRUITING |
[NCT07222943](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07222943) | Feasibility Study of a Guided Imagery Therapy Mobile Application for Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders in Children | NA | Baylor College of Medicine | RECRUITING |
[NCT06940596](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06940596) | Exclude or Expose in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: What Works for Whom and How? | NA | University of Melbourne | RECRUITING |
[NCT05219903](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05219903) | National, Multicenter, Retrospective, Prospective Study to Evaluate Pediatric Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Disorders | — | Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo di Pavia | RECRUITING |
[NCT07000227](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07000227) | Mechanism of FODMAP Restriction on FGID Patients | NA | Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre | RECRUITING |
225 publications have been identified in PubMed for intestinal disorder. Research spans Review / Meta-Analysis (49%), Basic Science / Preclinical (24%), and Epidemiology / Natural History (12%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Research summaries | 110 | 49% |
Laboratory research | 55 | 24% |
Disease patterns and progression | 28 | 12% |
Clinical study results | 12 | 5% |
Testing and diagnosis research | 6 | 3% |
Patient case studies | 6 | 3% |
Other research | 5 | 2% |
New treatment approaches | 3 | 1% |
Li X (2026). [PMID: 41891955](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41891955/). *Int J Mol Med*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Fu J (2026). [PMID: 42229183](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42229183/). *J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Liu Q (2026). [PMID: 42095322](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42095322/). *Immun Inflamm Dis*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Sugiura T (2026). [PMID: 41826542](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41826542/). *CEN case reports*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Zheng M (2026). [PMID: 41122068](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41122068/). *Acta biochimica et biophysica Sinica*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Buel KL (2026). [PMID: 41569909](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41569909/). *FP Essent*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Liu W (2026). [PMID: 41274736](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41274736/). *Carbohydrate polymers*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Teng D (2026). [PMID: 42229734](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42229734/). *Biochem Pharmacol*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Hu J (2026). [PMID: 42173578](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42173578/). *Carbohydr Polym*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Zhen J (2026). [PMID: 42187770](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42187770/). *Biology (Basel)*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]