Diazoxide in the Treatment of Type 1 Glycogenosis

In children with a glycogen storage disorder, one of the enzymes needed to convert glucose into glycogen, or to break down glycogen into glucose, is missing. There are many different types of glycogen storage disorders (also known as glycogenoses).

Type 1 glycogenosis results in low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), increased lactate (a glucose metabolite produced by body tissues when oxygen supply is insufficient) and a bulky abdomen (glycogen accumulation induces liver enlargement). Low blood sugar leads to sweating, confusion, convulsions and coma. Type 1 glycogenosis manifests itself early in life.

In children, glycogen storage disorders can have other consequences, such as stunted growth linked to chronic acidosis, tend to increase uric acid levels (a breakdown product) which accumulate in the joints, leading to gout, and in the kidneys, leading to kidney stones.

The mainstay of treatment is frequent oral feeding with raw cornstarch or a lactose-free preparation with maltodextrin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Nocturnal enteral feeding via gastrostomy is necessary during the first years of life.

These children tend to have greater insulin reactions (= hormone that brings sugar into the cells), resulting in a more rapid fall in blood sugar levels.

Diazoxide is a drug that inhibits pancreatic insulin secretion and prevents blood sugar levels from falling. It has been used successfully in some patients.

The main objective of this project is to describe the metabolic balance in children with type 1 glycogenosis treated with Diazoxide compared with children who did not receive Diazoxide treatment.