Medical Definition of Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
1.
Deficiency of the protease inhibitor alpha-1 antitrypsin, leads primarily to degradation of elastin of the alveolar walls, as well as other structural proteins of a variety of tissues.
The lack of this protein leads to damage of various organs, but mainly to the lung and liver.
symptoms may become apparent at a very early age or in adulthood, manifesting either as shortness of breath or liver related symptoms (jaundice, fatigue, fluid in the abdomen, mental changes, or gastrointestinal bleeding). There are several options for treatment of the lung disease, including replacement of the missing protein. Treatment of the liver disease is a well-timed liver transplant
(12 Dec 1998)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
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