Clinical Description
The clinical manifestations of glycogen storage disease type I (GSD I) are poor growth (leading to short stature) and accumulation of glycogen and fat in liver and kidneys (resulting in hepatomegaly and nephromegaly, respectively) [Kishnani et al 2014].
Although some neonates present with severe hypoglycemia, untreated infants more commonly present at age three to four months or a little later (when the feeding interval is typically increased or when infants start sleeping through the night) with additional symptoms of hepatomegaly, lactic acidosis, hyperuricemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and/or hypoglycemic seizures. Hypoglycemia and lactic acidosis can develop after a short fast (2-4 hours).
Untreated children typically have doll-like faces with full cheeks, relatively thin extremities, short stature, and a protuberant abdomen caused by massive hepatomegaly. The spleen may be enlarged in individuals with GSD Ib during infection, or while on treatment with G-CSF. Eruptive xanthoma may be present due to untreated hyperlipidemia and diarrhea may be present secondary to intolerance to uncooked cornstarch in some individuals, or due to inflammatory bowel-like disease. Impaired platelet function and acquired von Willebrand disease can lead to a bleeding tendency, making epistaxis and easy bruising a frequent problem in individuals with poor metabolic control.
Long-term complications of untreated GSD I include the following.
Short stature. Children with GSD I have poor growth and short stature in adulthood; however, with strict compliance with cornstarch and dietary regimens, growth and final adult stature have improved [Weinstein & Wolfsdorf 2002, Mundy et al 2003, Kishnani et al 2014].
Osteoporosis. Frequent fractures and radiographic evidence of osteopenia are common. Bone mineral content can be significantly reduced even in prepubertal children. Individuals with GSD I have low vitamin D levels and poor calcium intake [Banugaria et al 2010]. Poor metabolic control was associated with decreased bone mineral density (BMD), while increased and near-normal BMD was achieved in individuals with GSD Ia, with optimization of metabolic control, compliance with the diet regimen, and vitamin D supplementation. In individuals with GSD Ib, improvement of the BMD was limited by effects of long-standing treatment with G-CSF [Minarich et al 2013, Melis et al 2014].
Delayed puberty. Untreated affected individuals historically showed delayed puberty; however, with adherence to a strict dietary regimen, and optimization of metabolic control, the onset of puberty can be normal [Sechi et al 2013].
Renal disease. Proteinuria, hypertension, renal tubular acidosis (proximal and distal renal acidification defects), renal stones, nephrocalcinosis, and altered creatinine clearance may occur in younger affected individuals and adults with poor metabolic control [Kishnani et al 2014]. With disease progression, interstitial fibrosis becomes evident. Some individuals progress to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and may require a kidney transplant. Renal cysts have also been described in individuals with GSD I [Gjorgjieva et al 2018]. Early optimized metabolic control and treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor when microalbuminuria develops may prevent and/or delay the progression of nephropathy in individuals with GSD I [Martens et al 2009, Okechuku et al 2017, Aoun et al 2020].
Gout. Although hyperuricemia is present in young affected children, gout rarely develops in untreated children before puberty. It also may occur as a feature of GSD I in poorly controlled premenopausal women [Zhang & Zeng 2016].
Systemic hypertension has been reported in infants and younger children [Jonas et al 1988, Bhowmik et al 2015] but is more often detected in the second decade of life, or later in adulthood in association with kidney disease progression [Rake et al 2002].
Pulmonary hypertension. Overt pulmonary hypertension as a long-term complication of GSD I has been reported [Humbert et al 2002]. Those at highest risk typically have a coexisting condition that also predisposes them to developing pulmonary hypertension (e.g., portal hypertension, portocaval shunts, collagen vascular diseases, atrial septal defect) [Kishnani et al 2014, Torok et al 2017].
There is clinical controversy regarding the risk for cardiovascular disease in individuals with GSD I. Despite the development of hyperlipidemia in those with poor control, there is insufficient evidence indicating an increased risk of early atherosclerosis in these individuals [Ubels et al 2002], while some suggest otherwise [Bernier et al 2009]. Metabolic control obviates the risk for hyperlipidemia, kidney disease, and hypertension that may occur in GSD I – and are considered predisposing factors for premature atherosclerosis, cardiovascular strokes, and coronary heart disease [Kishnani et al 2014].
Hepatic
adenomas with potential for malignant transformation. GSD I is associated with the development of hepatic adenomas, which can be associated with intrahepatic hemorrhage and acute anemia. Adenomas develop by the second or third decade of life; the risk increases with age [Kishnani et al 2014, Ling et al 2019]. The male:female ratio was 1:2 in 50 published cases of GSD Ia-related adenomas in contrast to other causes of hepatic adenoma showing a female predilection. In 10% of individuals, adenomas undergo malignant transformation into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) [Chou et al 2010, Okata et al 2020]. A relationship between poor metabolic control, particularly the degree of hypertriglyceridemia and the development of hepatic adenomas, has been reported [Wang et al 2011]. However, some individuals develop adenomas despite adequate metabolic control, suggesting that the pathogenesis of adenoma formation and transformation to HCC is more complex and multifactorial [Ling et al 2019, Cho et al 2020].
Pancreatitis may occur as a complication secondary to severe hypertriglyceridemia, particularly in the presence of poor metabolic control and dietary noncompliance. It may occur in adults and/or children [Ai et al 2020]. A child with markedly elevated triglycerides developed life-threatening pancreatitis refractory to supportive therapy (e.g., plasmapheresis) [Rivers et al 2018].
Neurologic and cognitive effects. In one study, brain MRI findings were abnormal in 4/6 individuals with GSD Ia. MRI showed variable degrees of severity involving areas of gliosis and encephalomalacia in the cortical and subcortical areas of the occipital and parietal lobes and frontoparietal transition. There was evidence of subcortical white matter hyperintensities in the occipital lobes, T2-weighted hyperintense foci in the central white matter that extended toward the peritrigonal regions. White matter cortical and subcortical retracted lesions were reported in one individual. MRI findings were observed in individuals with more severe disease characterized by early onset of symptoms, longer hospital admissions, and elevated levels of uric acid, lactate, and hypertriglyceridemia [Muzetti et al 2021]. In another study, MRI findings showed dilatation of the occipital horns with or without hyperintensity of the occipital lobe subcortical white matter. In addition, EEG findings correlated with the frequency and severity of hypoglycemic episodes, particularly in those with poor metabolic control and lack of dietary compliance [Melis et al 2004]. In one center steno-occlusive cerebral arteriopathy was identified in 6/175 individuals with GSD I; incidence was higher in individuals with GSD Ib than in those with GSD Ia [Hong et al 2020].
Anemia is common in individuals with GSD I, although the pathophysiology appears to differ in individuals with GSD Ia and those with GSD Ib [Wang et al 2012]. Those with GSD Ia and severe anemia are likely to have hepatic adenomas, while GSD Ib-related severe anemia is often associated with enterocolitis and inflammatory bowel disease [Wang et al 2012]. Overall, the cause for anemia is multifactorial, including the restrictive nature of the diet, excessive intake of cornstarch, chronic illness, and kidney disease.
Bleeding diathesis. In one study, 6/10 individuals with GSD Ia developed reduced and/or dysfunctional von Willebrand factor [Mühlhausen et al 2005]. This defect is in addition to a platelet aggregation defect; both bleeding disorders manifest in individuals with poor metabolic control [Rake et al 2002]. Manifestations include epistaxis, easy bruising, menorrhagia which can be life threatening, intrahepatic adenoma hemorrhage, and increased bleeding during surgical procedures.
Neutropenia and impaired neutrophil function. Untreated GSD Ib is associated with chronic neutropenia and impaired neutrophil and monocyte function. Neutropenia has been reported in a small number of individuals with GSD Ia [Weston et al 2000]. Neutropenia is noted typically after the first few years of life, resulting in recurrent bacterial infections including gingivitis, periodontal disease, dental caries, and brain abscess. Individuals also develop oral and genital ulcerations, as well as intestinal mucosal ulcers [Visser et al 1998, Visser et al 2002]. Oral manifestations such as aphthous ulcers and delayed dental maturation and eruption have been reported in a few affected individuals [Mortellaro et al 2005, Dababneh et al 2020]. GSD Ib-related neutropenia may be caused by increased apoptosis attributed to an increase in reactive oxygen species and impaired cell adhesion and migration of neutrophils to inflamed tissues rather than impairment in maturation [Visser et al 2012, Kishnani et al 2014, Kim et al 2017]. Vitamin E as an antioxidant was beneficial in improving neutrophil count as an adjunct therapy to G-CSF [Melis et al 2009]. Veiga-da-Cunha et al [2019] showed that failure to eliminate a phosphorylated toxic analog (1,5-anhydroglucitol-6-phosphate; 1,5AG6P) contributed to neutropenia and neutrophil dysfunction in individuals with GSD Ib. This work led to clinical repurposing of empagliflozin, an inhibitor of the kidney sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) that was able to lower serum 1,5 AG6P and improve neutrophil count and functions [Wortmann et al 2020].
Enterocolitis due to an inflammatory bowel disease-like disorder occurs in some individuals with GSD Ib [Wicker et al 2020] and has been reported in a small number of individuals with GSD Ia [Lawrence et al 2017]. Severe neutropenia in individuals with GSD Ib is associated with more severe inflammatory bowel disease.
Polycystic ovaries. Some females have ultrasound findings consistent with polycystic ovaries. While this may affect ovulation and fertility in some females, in general fertility does not appear to be reduced [Sechi et al 2013].
Irregular menstrual cycles. About half of women with GSD I were found to have irregular menstrual cycles, in some instances women can have a life-threatening menorrhagia [Sechi et al 2013].
Thyroid autoimmunity. The prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity and hypothyroidism has been found to be increased in individuals with GSD Ib. The increased risk of autoimmunity was associated with abnormal T-cell function [Melis et al 2007, Melis et al 2017].
Prognosis
Historically, prognosis was poor for untreated individuals with GSD I and many died at a young age. Early diagnosis and treatment have improved prognosis [Dambska et al 2017]. Normal growth and puberty is expected in children treated early with good metabolic control. Most affected individuals live into adulthood. Despite good metabolic control and early treatment, some individuals still develop hepatic adenoma and proteinuria in adulthood.