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Living with Acid phosphatase deficiency

A rare inherited condition affecting how cells break down certain substances, with vomiting, low muscle tone, and tiredness in infants.

Understanding Acid phosphatase deficiency

Acid phosphatase deficiency is a rare lysosomal disease caused by too little acid phosphatase in the lysosomes of cells.

It is marked by intermittent vomiting, low muscle tone (hypotonia), extreme tiredness (lethargy), and arching of the back and neck (opisthotonos). It begins in the newborn and infant period.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition yet. The summary describes these features:

  • Vomiting that comes and goes
  • Low muscle tone (hypotonia)
  • Extreme tiredness (lethargy)
  • Arching of the back and neck (opisthotonos)

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include genetic specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in ACP2 are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

Care & treatment

Care team
Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
What tests confirm acid phosphatase deficiency?
What does ACP2 genetic testing mean for our family?
Which specialists should be on our care team?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive
GenesACP2

Changes in the ACP2 gene cause this condition. It is autosomal recessive, so a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.

GeneticInherited MetabolicLysosomal Storage

Also known as: lysosomal acid phosphatase deficiency

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Acid phosphatase deficiencyGARD ID 16636 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Acid phosphatase deficiency.

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Explore research for Acid phosphatase deficiency

Explore actively recruiting Acid phosphatase deficiency studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Acid phosphatase deficiency with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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