Update on the management of hypophosphatasia

Hypophosphatasia is a rare inherited disease caused by a loss of function mutations in the gene that codes for the tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase enzyme. It is autosomally inherited and at least 388 different genetic defects have been identified. The clinical presentation is variable from a severe perinatal form, that is fatal if untreated, to adult-onset disease. This review covers the pathophysiology, diagnosis and current management option including the recently licensed enzyme replacement therapy asfotase alfa.