eMedicine Specialties > Pediatrics: Genetics and Metabolic Disease > Metabolic Diseases

Glycogen-Storage Disease Type 0

Lynne Ierardi-Curto, MD, PhD, Medical Geneticist, Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp), Northeast Division, Genetics Services

Updated: Aug 4, 2008

Introduction

Background

Glycogen-storage disease type 0 (GSD-0), or glycogen synthetase deficiency, commonly appears in infancy and early childhood with fasting hypoglycemia accompanied by ketosis and low normal reference range blood levels of lactate and alanine. Although feeding relieves symptoms, it results in postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperlacticacidemia. Unlike other forms of glycogen-storage disease, GSD-0 does not involve the storage of excessive or abnormal glycogen and is characterized by moderately decreased glycogen stores in the liver. Recent reports suggest that patients with GSD-0 present with symptoms that range from asymptomatic hyperglycemia to recurrent hypoglycemic seizures.¹

Pathophysiology

In the early stages of fasting, the liver provides a steady source of glucose from glycogen breakdown (or glycogenolysis). With prolonged fasting, glucose is generated in the liver from noncarbohydrate precursors through gluconeogenesis. Such precursors include alanine (derived from the breakdown of proteins in skeletal muscle) and glycerol (derived from the breakdown of triacylglycerols in fat cells). In patients with GSD-0, fasting hypoglycemia occurs within a few hours after a meal because of the limited stores of hepatic glycogen and inadequate gluconeogenesis to maintain normoglycemia. Feeding characteristically results in postprandial hyperglycemia and glucosuria, in addition to increased blood lactate levels, because glycogen synthesis is limited, and excess glucose is preferentially converted to lactate by means of the glycolytic pathway.

Frequency

International

The overall frequency of glycogen-storage disease is approximately 1 case per 20,000-25,000 people. GSD-0 is a rare form, representing less than 1% of all cases. The identification of asymptomatic and oligosymptomatic siblings in several GSD-0 families has suggested that GSD-0 is underdiagnosed.

Mortality/Morbidity

The major morbidity is a risk of fasting hypoglycemia, which can vary in severity and frequency. Major long-term concerns include growth delay, osteopenia, and neurologic damage resulting in developmental delay, intellectual deficits, and personality changes.

Sex

No sexual predilection is observed because the deficiency of glycogen synthetase activity is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.

Age

GSD-0 is most commonly diagnosed during infancy and early childhood.

Clinical

History

The most common clinical history is that of an infant or child with symptomatic hypoglycemia or seizures that occur before breakfast or after an inadvertent fast.
- In affected infants, this event typically begins after they outgrow their nighttime feeds.
- In children, this event may occur during acute GI illness or periods of poor enteral intake.
Mild hypoglycemic episodes may be clinically unrecognized, or they may cause symptoms such as drowsiness, sweating, lack of attention, or pallor.
Uncoordinated eye movements, disorientation, seizures, and coma may accompany severe episodes.

Physical

Glycogen-storage disease type 0 (GSD-0) affects only the liver.
Growth delay may be evident with height and weight percentiles below average.
Abdominal examination findings may be normal or reveal only mild hepatomegaly.
Signs of acute hypoglycemia may be present, including the following:
- Lethargy
- Apathy
- Jitteriness
- Diaphoresis
- Tachycardia
- Pallor
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Mental confusion
- Visual disturbances
- Dysarthria
- Hypotonia
- Ataxia
- Seizures
- Coma

Causes

GSD-0 is caused by genetic defects in the gene that codes for liver glycogen synthetase (GYS2), which is located on chromosome band 12p12.2.²
Glycogen synthetase catalyzes the rate-limiting reaction for glycogen synthesis in the liver by transferring glucose units from uridine 5'-diphosphate (UDP)-glucose to a glycogen primer. Its action is highly regulated by a mechanism of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation and modulated by counter-regulatory hormones including insulin, epinephrine, and glucagon.
Mutations in the gene for liver glycogen synthetase (GYS2, 138571) result in decreased or absent activity of liver glycogen synthetase and moderately decreased amounts of structurally normal glycogen in the liver.
A different gene (GYS1, 138570) encodes muscle glycogen synthetase, which has normal activity in patients with GSD-0.

Differential Diagnoses

Fructose 1-Phosphate Aldolase Deficiency (Fructose Intolerance)
Glycogen-Storage Disease Type I
Hypoglycemia

Workup

Laboratory Studies

Serum glucose levels are measured to document the degree of hypoglycemia.
Serum electrolytes calculate the anion gap to determine presence of metabolic acidosis; typically, patients with glycogen-storage disease type 0 (GSD-0) have an anion gap in the reference range and no acidosis.
Serum lipids (including triglyceride and total cholesterol) may be measured. In patients with GSD-0, hyperlipidemia is absent or mild and proportional to the degree of fasting.
Urine (first voided specimen with dipstick test for ketones and reducing substances) may be analyzed. In patients with GSD-0, urine ketones findings are positive, and urine-reducing substance findings are negative. However, urine-reducing substance findings are positive (fructosuria) in those with fructose 1-phosphate aldolase deficiency (fructose intolerance).
Serum lactate is in reference ranges in fasting patients with GSD-0.
Liver function studies provide evidence of mild hepatocellular damage in patients with mild elevations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels.
Plasma amino-acid analysis shows plasma alanine levels as in reference ranges during a fast.

Imaging Studies

Skeletal radiography may reveal osteopenia.

Other Tests

Evaluation of a patient with suspected GSD-0 requires monitored assessment of fasting adaptation in an inpatient setting.
Patients typically have hypoglycemia and ketosis, with lactate and alanine levels in the low or normal part of the reference range approximately 5-7 hours after fasting.
A glucagon challenge test may be needed if the fast fails to elicit the expected rise in plasma glucose. Lactate and alanine levels are in the reference range.
By contrast, a glucagon challenge test after a meal causes hyperglycemia, with increased levels of plasma lactate and alanine.
Oral loading of glucose, galactose, or fructose results in a marked rise in blood lactate levels.

Procedures

Liver biopsy for microscopic analysis and enzyme assay is required for definitive diagnosis.
Diagnosis may include linkage analysis in families with affected members and sequencing of the entire coding region of the GSY2 gene for mutations.

Histologic Findings

Histologic analysis of liver tissue demonstrates moderately decreased amounts of periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)–positive, diastase-sensitive glycogen stores.
Evidence of increased fat accumulation in the liver may be observed, as in other glycogen-storage diseases.
Electron microscopic analysis of liver sections shows normal glycogen structure.
Muscle glycogen stores are normal.

Treatment

Medical Care

Treat the patient with an acute episode of hypoglycemia according to the standard fasting protocol.
An endocrinologist or metabolic or biochemical specialist is suggested to evaluate and manage the long-term care of a patient with suspected glycogen-storage disease type 0 (GSD-0).
Management includes the provision of an adequate diet and avoidance of fasting hypoglycemia.

Consultations

Refer the patient to a dietitian experienced with GSD-0 and the management of disorders that increase the risk of hypoglycemic episodes.
Refer the family of the affected child to a medical geneticist or genetic counselor to review the inheritance of GSD-0. Inheritance is autosomal recessive, and parents have a 25% risk of producing an affected offspring with each pregnancy.
Formally evaluate siblings of the affected patient (proband) for manifestations because intrafamily variability is observed, and a child with mild disease may be clinically asymptomatic.

Diet

Determine the degree of dietary intervention required for each patient and carefully follow up the patient to ensure that he or she is consuming a constant source of glucose to prevent fasting hypoglycemia and to provide adequate calories and protein for growth.
Dietary management includes frequent consumption of protein-rich meals and nighttime feedings of uncooked cornstarch (2g/kg), which acts as a slow-release form of glucose.
Recommend the avoidance of highly processed carbohydrates to prevent conversion of excess glucose to lactate.

Activity

Activity restrictions are not indicated.

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

Conduct a follow-up evaluation to assess for adequate physical growth, developmental maturation, and avoidance of hypoglycemic episodes, with adjustments in dietary management as needed.

Deterrence/Prevention

Avoid prolonged fasting of greater than 5-7 hours. Some patients cannot tolerate even a shorter fasting period of less than 5 hours.
During an acute illness with decreased oral intake, maintain normoglycemia with intravenous infusion of glucose-containing solution.

Prognosis

The prognosis is good for normal growth and intellectual development when the condition is diagnosed early and when episodes of hypoglycemia are prevented with good dietary management.

Patient Education

Educate the patient and parents about proper diet management and avoidance of fasting.
Educate the parents and primary physician about the administration of intravenous glucose solutions during acute illness with decreased oral intake.
Dietary teaching is suggested for children as soon as they are developmentally ready.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

Failure to provide adequate calories and protein for normal growth
Failure to educate the patient and family about the importance of dietary intervention to avoid episodes of fasting hypoglycemia and to prevent long-term growth delay and neurologic sequelae
Failure to educate the parents about the necessity of adequate oral intake during an acute illness or the administration of intravenous glucose infusion within a few hours of inadequate oral intake
Failure to instruct the primary pediatrician about the need for administration of intravenous glucose solution during the early hours of an acute illness with poor oral intake
Failure to evaluate siblings for mild manifestations of this disorder

References

Spiegel R, Mahamid J, Orho-Melander M, Miron D, Horovitz Y. The variable clinical phenotype of liver glycogen synthase deficiency. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. Dec 2007;20:1339-1342. [Medline].
Orho M, Bosshard NU, Buist NR, et al. Mutations in the liver glycogen synthase gene in children with hypoglycemia due to glycogen storage disease type 0. J Clin Invest. Aug 1 1998;102(3):507-15. [Medline].
Aynsley-Green A, Williamson DH, Gitzelmann R. Asymptomatic hepatic glycogen-synthetase deficiency. Lancet. Jan 21 1978;1(8056):147-8. [Medline].
Aynsley-Green A, Williamson DH, Gitzelmann R. The dietary treatment of hepatic glycogen synthetase deficiency. Helv Paediatr Acta. Jun 1977;32(1):71-5. [Medline].
Aynsley-Green A, Williamson DH, Gitzelmann R, et al. Hepatic glycogen synthetase deficiency. Definition of syndrome from metabolic and enzyme studies on a 9-year-old girl. Arch Dis Child. Jul 1977;52(7):573-9. [Medline].
Bachrach BE, Weinstein DA, Orho-Melander M, et al. Glycogen synthase deficiency (glycogen storage disease type 0) presenting with hyperglycemia and glucosuria: report of three new mutations. J Pediatr. Jun 2002;140(6):781-3. [Medline].
Blumel P, Mullis PE. Effect of growth hormone treatment on hypoglycemia in a patient with both hepatic glycogen synthase and isolated growth hormone deficiencies. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. Sep-Oct 2001;14(8):1151-5. [Medline].
Byrne BM, Gillmer MD, Turner RC, et al. Glucose homeostasis in adulthood and in pregnancy in a patient with hepatic glycogen synthetase deficiency. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. Nov 1995;102(11):931-3. [Medline].
Chen YT, Burchell A. Glycogen storage diseases. In: The Metabolic and Molecular Bases of Inherited Disease. 7^th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill; 1995:935-65.
Gitzelmann R, Spycher MA, Feil G, et al. Liver glycogen synthase deficiency: a rarely diagnosed entity. Eur J Pediatr. Jul 1996;155(7):561-7. [Medline].
Laberge AM, Mitchell GA, van de Werve G. Long-term follow-up of a new case of liver glycogen synthase deficiency. Am J Med Genet A. 2003;120(1):19-22. [Medline].
Laberge AM, Mitchell GA, van de Werve G, Lambert M. Long-term follow-up of a new case of liver glycogen synthase deficiency. Am J Med Genet A. Jul 1 2003;120(1):19-22. [Medline].
Lewis GM, Spencer-Peet J, Stewart KM. Infantile hypoglycaemia due to inherited deficiency of glycogen synthetase in liver. Arch Dis Child. 1963;38:40-8.
Rutledge SL, Atchison J, Bosshard NU, Steinmann B. Case report: liver glycogen synthase deficiency--a cause of ketotic hypoglycemia. Pediatrics. Aug 2001;108(2):495-7. [Medline].
Weinstein DA, Corneia CE, Saunders AC, Wolfsdorf JI. Hepatic glycogen synthase deficiency: an infrequently recognized cause of ketotic hypoglycemia. Mol Genet Metab. 2006;87(4):284-288. [Medline].

Keywords

glycogen-storage disease type 0, GSD-0, glycogen synthetase deficiency, aglycogenosis, hypoglycemia with deficiency of liver glycogen synthetase, liver glycogen synthetase deficiency, GYS2, hyperglycemia, hyperlacticacidemia, growth delay, osteopenia, hepatomegaly, lactic acidosis, hyperketosis, hypoketosis, cirrhosis, metabolic acidosis

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Lynne Ierardi-Curto, MD, PhD, Medical Geneticist, Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp), Northeast Division, Genetics Services
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Edward Kaye, MD, Vice President of Clinical Research, Genzyme Corporation
Edward Kaye, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Society of Gene Therapy, American Society of Human Genetics, Child Neurology Society, and Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine.com, Inc
Disclosure: Pfizer Inc Stock Investment from broker recommendation; Avanir Pharma Stock Investment from broker recommendation

Managing Editor

Hagop Youssoufian, MD, MSc, Vice President of Clinical Research, ImClone Systems Incorporated
Hagop Youssoufian, MD, MSc is a member of the following medical societies: American Society for Clinical Investigation, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, and American Society of Human Genetics
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Paul D Petry, DO, FACOP, FAAP, Consulting Staff, Freeman Pediatric Care, Freeman Health System
Paul D Petry, DO, FACOP, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Osteopathy, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, and American Osteopathic Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Bruce Buehler, MD, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Pathology and Microbiology, Executive Director, Hattie B Munroe Center for Human Genetics and Rehabilitation, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Bruce Buehler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association on Mental Retardation, American College of Medical Genetics, American College of Physician Executives, American Medical Association, and Nebraska Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Further Reading