Author Archives: Emily Malcolm, PhD

A skin biopsy is one of the tests that doctors can use to help diagnose Pompe disease, a rare genetic disease characterized by the buildup of complex sugar molecules called glycogen in muscle and other tissues. This buildup may interfere with function and cause the symptoms…

Spirometry is a common medical test that you can take at your local hospital or clinic to evaluate how well your lungs are working. In late-onset Pompe disease, doctors can use spirometry to track disease progression. What is late-onset Pompe disease? Pompe disease is a rare,…

Electromyography (EMG) is a medical test that doctors can use to assess the health of muscles and nerves, how well they are working and communicating. An EMG may be given to diagnose late-onset Pompe disease, a rare, heritable, and progressive disorder characterized by the buildup of large sugar…

Pompe disease is a rare disease in which glycogen, a complex sugar molecule, builds up in cells and tissues. This buildup interferes with function, especially in muscles. Changes to diet and feeding methods may help alleviate or slow the progression of some disease symptoms. One dietary…

One test that doctors use to diagnose Pompe disease, a rare genetic disease caused by mutations in the GAA gene, is an enzyme activity test. GAA provides cells with the instructions necessary to make an enzyme that plays a role in breaking down a complex sugar molecule called…

If you are at risk of transmitting Pompe disease to your children, you may be thinking about your reproductive options and interested in prenatal diagnostic testing. What is prenatal diagnosis? Prenatal diagnosis involves performing a genetic test on your baby before birth. Getting genetic material from…

If you are a carrier of Pompe disease, you may be wondering about the risks of passing the disease to your children. A carrier has one copy of a disease-causing mutation but does not have the disease themselves. If your partner is not a carrier of a…

Genetic testing looks for changes in genes and chromosomes that might indicate you have a genetic disease such as Pompe disease. Genetics of Pompe disease Pompe disease is caused by mutations in the GAA gene. These mutations lead to your cells not being able to properly make…

Pompe disease is a rare disorder caused by mutations in a gene called GAA, which provides instructions for making an important enzyme called acid alpha-glucosidase (also known as acid maltase). This enzyme is responsible for breaking down a sugar molecule called glycogen to provide energy to…

Pompe disease is a rare genetic disease characterized by muscle weakness, among other symptoms. If you or your partner has Pompe disease, you may wonder whether the disease will also affect your future children. How is Pompe disease inherited? Pompe disease is inherited in a recessive pattern,…