Metabolic control of von Gierke disease (glycogen storage disease type Ia) in pregnancy: maintenance of euglycemia with cornstarch.

Abstract

In patients with glycogen storage disease type Ia, glucose-6-phosphatase deficiency reduces the liver's ability to generate free glucose from glycogen. Without a continuous, exogenous source of glucose, severe hypoglycemia and subsequent metabolic perturbations occur. Our observations of a patient with glycogen storage disease type Ia, who also had a clomiphene-induced triplet gestation, suggest that cornstarch, which can be catabolized by debranching enzymes, may be used to maintain a constant state of maternal and fetal euglycemia and correct many metabolic abnormalities. Our data suggest that patients with glycogen storage disease type Ia can be safely managed in pregnancy under a tightly monitored and regulated protocol of raw cornstarch feedings.