Type VII Glycogen Storage Disease Treatment & Management

Updated: Aug 02, 2021
  • Author: Natapat Chaisidhivej, MD; Chief Editor: George T Griffing, MD  more...
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Treatment

Medical Care

In general, no specific treatment exists for glycogen storage diseases (GSDs).

In some cases, diet therapy is helpful. Meticulous adherence to a dietary regimen may reduce liver size, prevent hypoglycemia, allow for reduction in symptoms, and allow for growth and development in patients with GSDs.

Zingone et al demonstrated the abolition of the murine clinical manifestations of von Gierke disease with a recombinant adenoviral vector. [24] These findings suggest that corrective gene therapy for GSDs may be possible in humans.

An encouraging study by Bijvoet et al provides evidence of successful enzyme replacement for the mouse model of Pompe disease, which may lead to therapies for other enzyme deficiencies. [25]

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Diet and Activity

Diet

Growing evidence indicates that a high-protein diet may provide increased muscle function in patients with weakness or exercise intolerance. Evidence also exists that a high-protein diet may slow or arrest progression of the disease. Patients who followed a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet showed improvement in exercise intolerance, as this diet may bypass glycolysis blockage and provide an immediate fuel source that improves normal muscle function. [26, 27]

Activity

Avoidance of intense exercise may ameliorate symptoms.

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