How is the disease inherited?
We all have genes inherited from our parents which control whether we are tall, short, fair, etc. Some genes we inherit are “recessive”, that is to say we carry the gene but it does not have any affect on our development. MPS VI (Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome) is caused by a recessive gene. If an adult carrying the abnormal gene marries another carrier there will be a one in four chance with every pregnancy that the child will inherit the defective gene from each parent and will be affected with the disease. There is a two in three chance that unaffected brothers and sisters of MPS VI children will be carriers. They can be reassured; however, as the disease is so rare, the chance of marrying another carrier is very slight provided they do not marry a cousin or other close family member. Is there cure for MPS VI (Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome)? There is no cure but treatments such as enzyme replacement therapies can help make MPS VI a more manageable disease. In June 1, 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug
