Pompe Disease

Inborn Error of Lysosomal Metabolism

Pompe (“Pom-pay”) disease, also known as Glycogen Storage Disease Type II, is an inherited condition caused by a faulty gene. In Pompe disease, an enzyme that helps the body use glucose for energy is missing or not working properly. As a result, glycogen – the stored form of glucose – builds up in organs and tissues. Symptoms of classic, infantile-onset Pompe disease may include muscle weakness, developmental delays, an enlarged heart (cardiomegaly and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), difficulty breathing, and hearing loss. Symptoms of late-onset Pompe disease may include muscle weakness, loss of balance, and difficulty breathing, eating, and walking. Pompe disease can be treated by giving an infusion that replaces the missing enzyme. It is now becoming possible to diagnose Pompe disease in newborns.

Jerry Vockley, MD, PhD

Chief of Genetic and Genomic Medicine

Dr. Vockley is an international leader in treatment and research in medical genetics and genomics and the field of inborn errors of metabolism. He is also a founder of the North American Metabolic Academy.

What to Expect

At the Center for Rare Disease Therapy, we have the knowledge and expertise to treat patients of all ages with Pompe disease. If your child has been diagnosed with Pompe disease, we want you to know that you are not alone – we are here to help. Here’s what you can expect when you come to us for a consultation.

How quickly can we get an appointment?

At the Center for Rare Disease Therapy, a doctor specializing in genetic diseases can usually see a new patient within 1 to 2 weeks. To make an appointment, please call Jodie Vento, MGC, LCGC at 412-692-7273 or send an email to RareCare@chp.edu.

How long should we expect our first visit with the doctor to take?

You can expect your first visit to take from 4 to 6 hours. Your child will receive a complete evaluation and may be seen by several other doctors and other health care professionals.

What will happen during our first visit?

Your child will receive a complete evaluation to establish or confirm a precise diagnosis and determine how much the disease has affected the child. Because we work as a team here at the Center for Rare Disease Therapy, during your visit your child may be seen by several doctors and other health care professionals. These other health care professionals may include a neurologist, a heart specialist, a surgeon, a nutritionist, a genetic counselor, a psychologist, and a specialist in child development.

We understand that the whole family is affected when a child has a rare disease. We also know that you, the family, know your child better than anyone else. We see each family as our partner in caring for their child. We think the best approach to caring for a child with a rare disease emerges when we combine our depth of experience in rare diseases with your expertise in what’s best for your child.

We will talk with you about what we think is likely to happen with your child in the near future and about options we can suggest for treating and caring for your child. If surgery is an option for your child, we will help you understand what the surgery entails and what you may need to do to prepare for it. We will also talk with you about what you can do at home to care for your child and improve his or her quality of life. Please feel free to ask our specialists any questions you have about your child’s disease, treating and caring for your child, or anything else that is on your mind.

By the end of your visit, you will have a care plan tailored to your child’s needs and an appointment for a follow-up visit. You will be introduced to our clinical nurse practitioner, who is available by phone or video conference to help you with any concerns you have between now and your next appointment.

How long might we have to wait for test results?

Depending upon the types of tests that the doctors order, you can expect to receive a phone call within 2 weeks to explain test results and discuss recommended next steps. Test results are also made available on Children's patient portal, myCHP, which is provided at no cost to patients, parents, and guardians.

Meet Our Patients

Learn how families are finding help and hope through the expertise of the Center for Rare Disease Therapy at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

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Contact Us

At the Center for Rare Disease Therapy, every child diagnosed with a rare disease receives an individualized treatment plan and family-centered care.

For an appointment, consultation, or patient referral with an expert at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for a child diagnosed with Pompe disease, please contact:

Jodie Vento, MGC, LCGC
Phone: 412-692-7273
Email: RareCare@chp.edu