Ataxia Telangiectasia Treatment 

General Treatment 

There is as yet  no cure for any  of the problems in Ataxia-Telangiectasia (AT), and treatment is largely  supportive. Patients should be encouraged to participate in as many activities as possible. Children should be encouraged to attend school on a regular basis and receive support to maintain as normal a lifestyle as possible.  Physical and occupational therapists should be included in the treatment team to prevent the development of stiffness in muscles and to  maintain functional mobility. A prompt diagnosis should be sought and specific  therapy instituted for all suspected infections. For patients who have normal levels of serum immunoglobulins and normal antibody responses to vaccines, immunization with influenzae and pneumococcal vaccines  may be helpful. For patients with total IgG, or IgG subclass deficiencies, and/or patients who have problems making normal antibody responses to vaccines, therapy with gammaglobulin  may be indicated. 

Specific attention should be paid  to swallowing function. Patients who aspirate or have food and liquids entering their trachea and lungs may improve when thin liquids are eliminated from their diet. In some individuals,  a tube from the stomach to the outside of the abdomen (gastrostomy tube)  may be necessary to eliminate the need for swallowing large volumes of liquids and to decrease the risk of aspiration. 

Diagnostic X-rays should be limited because of the theoretical risk that the X-ray may cause a chromosomal break resulting in the development of a malignancy. In general, X-rays should only be done if the result will influence therapy and there is no other way to obtain the information that the X-ray will provide.