Symptoms In the most common form, an infant usually begins showing symptoms by about 6 months of age. Signs and symptoms of Tay-Sachs disease can include the following:. Loss of motor skills, including turning over, crawling and sitting up. Exaggerated reactions when the baby hears loud noises. Seizures.

Vision and hearing loss. 'Cherry-red' spots in the eyes. Muscle weakness.

Movement problems When to see a doctor If your child has any of the signs or symptoms listed above, schedule an appointment with your child's doctor. Causes Tay-Sachs disease is a genetic disorder that is passed from parents to their children. It occurs when a child inherits the gene from both parents. Risk factors Risk factors for Tay-Sachs disease include having ancestors from:. Eastern and Central European Jewish communities (Ashkenazi Jews). Certain French Canadian communities in Quebec. Old Order Amish community in Pennsylvania.

Cajun community of Louisiana. National Library of Medicine. Tay-Sachs disease. Genetics Home Reference. Accessed Aug.

Tay Sachs Disease History

Learning about Tay-Sachs disease. National Human Genome Research Institute. Accessed Aug. Tay-Sachs disease information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Accessed Aug.

Tay Sachs Disease Facts

Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 26, 2017.