India’s first Pompe disease patient passes away

Current affairs for Mains revision, UPSC Current Affairs, daily current affairs, current affairs pdf, Pompe disease, Nidhi Shirol, alpha-glucosidase, Glycogen Storage Disease Type II, Enzyme assays, Genetic testing, Enzyme Replacement Therapy, ERT

India’s first Pompe disease patient passes away

What’s in today’s article?

  • Why in news?
  • Pompe disease
  • What is Pompe Disease?
  • How does Pompe disease affect an individual?
  • How is Pompe disease diagnosed?
  • Is Pompe disease curable?

Why in news?

  • Nidhi Shirol, India’s first Pompe disease patient, passed away last month at the age of 24 years after battling the disease.
  • She spent the last six years in a semi-comatose state.

What is Pompe Disease?

  • Also known as Glycogen Storage Disease Type II, Pompe disease is a rare genetic disorder.
  • It is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA).
    • This enzyme is crucial for breaking down glycogen into glucose within the lysosomes of cells.
  • Its prevalence estimates range from 1 in 40,000 to 1 in 300,000 births. It occurs across diverse ethnicities and populations.

How does Pompe disease affect an individual?

  • Muscle weakness:
    • Progressive muscle weakness is a primary feature of Pompe disease.
    • It affects both skeletal and smooth muscles, leading to difficulties in mobility and daily activities.
    • Weakness in the respiratory muscles can result in breathing difficulties, especially during physical exertion or even while lying down.
  • Motor skill delay:
    • Children with the disease may experience delays in achieving motor milestones, such as sitting, crawling, and walking.
    • The degree of motor skill delay can vary, and some individuals may never attain certain motor milestones.
  • Degenerative impact on bones:
    • Prolonged muscle weakness and reduced mobility can have a degenerative impact on bones, leading to joint contractures and skeletal deformities.
  • Respiratory complications:
    • The weakening of respiratory muscles, including the diaphragm, can have an impact.
    • Patients may experience shortness of breath, respiratory infections, and in severe cases, respiratory failure.
  • Cardiac involvement:
    • In some cases, Pompe disease can affect the heart muscles, leading to complications.
    • Symptoms such as heart palpitations, fatigue, and chest pain, may manifest.
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy:
    • Pompe disease can cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, characterised by the thickening of the heart muscle walls.
    • This can lead to impaired heart functions and cardiovascular symptoms.
  • Implications for daily living:
    • Patients may face challenges in performing daily activities independently due to muscle weakness and respiratory limitations.
    • Assistive devices such as wheelchairs and respiratory support equipment may become necessary.

How is Pompe disease diagnosed?

  • It involves a multi-faceted approach.
  • Enzyme assays are conducted to measure the activity of acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA), the deficient enzyme.
    • Enzyme tests, often performed on blood or skin cells, provide crucial insights into GAA deficiency.
  • Genetic testing identifies mutations in the responsible GAA gene.
    • Genetic analysis confirms the presence of specific mutations associated with Pompe Disease.
  • The combination of these diagnostic tools enables healthcare professionals to accurately identify and confirm the disease.

Is Pompe disease curable?

  • While there is currently no cure, there are treatment options available to manage symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life.
  • Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT) is a standard treatment, involving the infusion of the missing enzyme to alleviate glycogen buildup.
    • ERT is a medical treatment that replaces a missing or deficient enzyme in the body.

Q1) What is Glycogen storage disease type II (GSD2)?

Glycogen storage disease type II (GSD2), also known as Pompe disease, is a metabolic disorder that causes glycogen to build up in muscle tissue. It’s caused by a deficiency of the enzyme α-glucosidase.

Q2) What is Alpha-glucosidase?

Alpha-glucosidase is an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into monosaccharides, which can then be absorbed by the small intestine. It’s located in the brush border of the small intestine.


Source: India’s first Pompe disease patient passes away: What is this rare genetic disorder?

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