ABSTRACT

Glycogen storage disease (GSD) is a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders characterized by defective glycogen utilization or synthesis. There are 13 distinct types of GSD affecting liver, muscle, and other tissues. This chapter will describe those types of GSD that involve the liver as shown in Table 42.1 . Deficient enzyme and typical features of glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) that involve the liver

Type

Deficiency

Features

GSD 0

Glycogen synthase

No hepatomegaly; ketotic hypoglycemia; postprandial hyperlactatemia

GSD I

Glucose-6-phosphatase

Hepatomegaly; most severe hypoglycemia; elevated lactate, uric acid, and triglycerides; no response to glucagon

GSD III

Debranching enzyme

Firm hepatomegaly; AST/ALT often >1000 I/U; may have elevated CK

GSD IV

Branching enzyme

Hepatomegaly; amylopectin accumulation in liver and heart; cirrhosis may develop in infancy

GSD VI/IX

Phosphorylase/phosphorylase kinase

Hepatomegaly with fasting ketosis

GSD XI

GLUT-2 transpoter

Hepatomegaly; ketotic hypoglycemia; postprandial hyperlactatemia; chronic glucosuria and diarrhea

ALT; alanine aminotransferase; AST: aspartate aminotransferase; CK: creatine kinase.