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Chylomicron retention disease

Last edited: 4/22/2026

Overview

Chylomicron retention disease (CMRD), also known as Anderson disease, is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by fat malabsorption, steatorrhea, and failure to thrive, primarily due to mutations in the SAR1B or SARA2 genes affecting Sar1b protein function 123.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Features: Failure to thrive, chronic diarrhea, steatorrhea, and hypocholesterolemia 12.
  • Biochemical Tests: Elevated fat content in stool, malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins 1.
  • Histopathology: Intestinal biopsies showing enterocyte vacuolization with large cytosolic lipid droplets 1.
  • Genetic Testing: Sequencing of SAR1B or SARA2 genes to identify specific mutations 123.
  • Management

  • Dietary Modifications: Low-fat diet with medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) supplementation to improve fat absorption 1.
  • Vitamin Supplementation: Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) to address deficiencies 1.
  • Monitoring: Regular assessment of growth parameters, nutritional status, and biochemical markers 1.
  • Special Populations

  • Pediatrics: Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to prevent growth retardation and developmental delays 1.
  • Comorbidities: Potential extraintestinal manifestations such as muscular and cardiac abnormalities in SARA2 mutation cases; monitor creatine phosphokinase levels and cardiac function 3.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Genetic Testing for Diagnosis: Perform genetic sequencing of SAR1B or SARA2 genes in patients with suspected CMRD (Evidence: Strong 123).
  • Implement Low-Fat Diet with MCT: Recommend a low-fat diet supplemented with medium-chain triglycerides to manage fat malabsorption (Evidence: Moderate 1).
  • Regular Monitoring of Nutritional Status: Conduct routine evaluations of growth, nutritional markers, and biochemical parameters to guide management (Evidence: Moderate 1).
  • References

    1 Cefalù AB, Calvo PL, Noto D, Baldi M, Valenti V, Lerro P et al.. Variable phenotypic expression of chylomicron retention disease in a kindred carrying a mutation of the Sara2 gene. Metabolism: clinical and experimental 2010. link 2 Charcosset M, Sassolas A, Peretti N, Roy CC, Deslandres C, Sinnett D et al.. Anderson or chylomicron retention disease: molecular impact of five mutations in the SAR1B gene on the structure and the functionality of Sar1b protein. Molecular genetics and metabolism 2008. link 3 Silvain M, Bligny D, Aparicio T, Laforêt P, Grodet A, Peretti N et al.. Anderson's disease (chylomicron retention disease): a new mutation in the SARA2 gene associated with muscular and cardiac abnormalities. Clinical genetics 2008. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Variable phenotypic expression of chylomicron retention disease in a kindred carrying a mutation of the Sara2 gene.Cefalù AB, Calvo PL, Noto D, Baldi M, Valenti V, Lerro P et al. Metabolism: clinical and experimental (2010)
    2. [2]
      Anderson or chylomicron retention disease: molecular impact of five mutations in the SAR1B gene on the structure and the functionality of Sar1b protein.Charcosset M, Sassolas A, Peretti N, Roy CC, Deslandres C, Sinnett D et al. Molecular genetics and metabolism (2008)
    3. [3]
      Anderson's disease (chylomicron retention disease): a new mutation in the SARA2 gene associated with muscular and cardiac abnormalities.Silvain M, Bligny D, Aparicio T, Laforêt P, Grodet A, Peretti N et al. Clinical genetics (2008)

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