Diagnosed with low MBL (mannose-binding lectin) deficiency

[johnston15]

My daughter was just diagnosed with a MBL (mannose-binding lectin) deficiency. She is 6 years old now and has been plagued by multiple pneumonias and sinus infections. What is the prognosis of this deficiency or what can we expect for her future. I am having trouble finding any down to earth explanation about this deficiency.

[vWorriedMom]

My son has just been diagnosed with the same condition, and I have been googling non-stop to educate myself on this subject.  I came across the following very helpful article:  http://www.action.org.uk/touching_lives/2006/03/infections_children

It explains what treatment we can expect hopefully in the not-too-distant future and what serious illnesses we can expect as adults with low MBL...

I will definitely follow-up with Prof Klein who also happens to be our son's doctor in our follow-up visit at Great Ormond Street Hospital.  Will revert if I learn of any new developments.

I hope your children are all doing better now.

[SCDmom]

We asked to have our son checked for this but were told it's not a test that is available)  I have done lots of research and made great progress with our son's health and autism (which is almost gone). Since MBL defficiency puts them more prone to allergies, have you had an ELISA IgG food panel blood test done on them? It's just a single vial of blood and it will list any sensitivities to about 90 -100 foods. I have also found the books "Breaking the Vicious Cycle" by Elaine Gottschall and "Nutrition and Physical Degeneration" by Weston Price very helpful. Maximizing the nutrition that is right for them may help. However, any food sensitivies (which are many times masked) can add to the problem, especially bakers yeast, which MBL's are prone to have problems with (research ASCA) .  Omega-3 has also been a boost, another thing you may want to research.  Best of luck!

[lulu65]

I have two daughters with MBL deficiency.  It is a part of the complement system, so they have trouble fighting off infections, therefore getting them much more frequently than others.  I also think they have had more problems with general body pain... due to all of the infections.  My girls are now 9 and 10 and after years of chasing this down both are doing much better.  I am more aware, as well as doctors, so antibiotics are immediate, no waiting until they are really sick.  The 10 yr old is on long term low dose antibiotics which have helped, only 3 infections this year!  The 9 year old has only had a few as well!  I have worked hard on a very nutritious diet doing lots of organics and lots of fruits and veggies with a little supplementation.  I think it has helped.  My best wishes to you, it will get better!  Just trust your mom instincts.