tay sachs
/teɪ sæks/
noun
- A rare genetic disorder that causes progressive damage to nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, usually fatal in early childhood.
- Babies with Tay-Sachs typically lose motor skills and vision within the first year of life.
- Genetic testing can help parents know if they are carriers of Tay-Sachs.
- Tay-Sachs is most common among certain populations, including Ashkenazi Jews.