National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Microvillus inclusion disease

Back to List of Questions
I have a good friend who has a 15 year-old son. The boy suffers from microvillus inclusion disease. They live in Russia. Local doctors have told her that there is no treatment for that rare disease, but we suppose that Western medicine is more developed and there is a solution. How might this condition be treated?
While different medications have been tried to control the severe diarrhea associated with this condition, none of them have proven effective.[1] Children with microvillus inclusion disease are totally dependent on parenteral nutrition for nourishment. This, however, is not a long-term solution, as children who rely on this type of nutrition are at increased risk for malnutrition, dehydration, infections and liver complications. A more recent and long-term management option involves intestinal (small bowel) transplantation.[1][2] Children with microvillus inclusion disease should be followed by experienced health care providers in a center which specializes in pediatric gastrointestinal disorders.[2] 
Last updated: 6/26/2012

We hope this information is helpful. We strongly recommend you discuss this information with your doctor. If you still have questions, please contact us.

Warm regards,
GARD Information Specialist

Please see our Disclaimer.

  1. Microvillus Inclusion Disease. Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. December 12, 2010; http://www.chp.edu/CHP/Microvillus. Accessed 10/5/2011.
  2. Ruemmele FM, Schmitz J, Goulet O. Microvillous inclusion disease. Orphanet. June 2006; http://www.orpha.net/consor/cgi-bin/Disease_Search.php?lng=EN&data_id=2157&Disease_Disease_Search_diseaseGroup=Microvillus-inclusion-disease&Disease_Disease_Search_diseaseType=Pat&Disease(s)/group%20of%20diseases=Microvillus-inclusion-disease&title=M. Accessed 10/5/2011.