Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
A floppy baby
Katherine Hebert1, Demetris Haritos, Nirupama Kannikeswaran
1From the Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI.
Insights
Pompe disease, a rare inherited metabolic disorder, can present in infants with hypotonia and respiratory distress. Early diagnosis and management are crucial for improving outcomes in affected children.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Pompe disease is a rare inherited disorder of glycogen metabolism.
- It results from deficiency of the enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase.
- This leads to accumulation of glycogen in lysosomes, particularly in muscle cells.
Observation:
- A 9-month-old infant presented with generalized hypotonia and respiratory distress.
- Initial evaluation in the emergency department suggested a critical underlying condition.
- Diagnostic workup confirmed Pompe disease as the cause.
Findings:
- The case highlights the importance of considering Pompe disease in infants with unexplained hypotonia and respiratory compromise.
- Prompt diagnosis is essential for initiating appropriate management strategies.
- This review covers differential diagnoses, emergency department presentations, and management of Pompe disease.
Implications:
- Early recognition and treatment of Pompe disease can significantly alter the clinical course and prognosis.
- Understanding the varied presentations of hypotonia is vital for emergency physicians.
- This case underscores the need for increased awareness of rare metabolic disorders in pediatric emergency care.
Abstract:
Pompe disease is a rare inherited disorder of glycogen metabolism. We present a case of a 9-month-old infant who presented to the emergency department with generalized hypotonia and respiratory distress and was found to have Pompe disease. In this article, we will review the differential diagnosis of hypotonia in the infant, presentations of hypotonia that are relevant to the emergency department physician, as well as the diagnosis, management, and prognosis of Pompe disease.
More Related Videos
07:36Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
10:58TMS: Using the Theta-Burst Protocol to Explore Mechanism of Plasticity in Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome and Autism
Published on: December 28, 2010
Related Concept Videos
Flail Chest-I
Flail chest is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the fracture of three or more adjacent ribs in multiple places. It is most commonly caused by direct impacts and trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or injuries from a steering wheel impact. It can also occur due to falls in elderly individuals with osteoporosis, or assaults involving sharp objects.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of flail chest is complex, involving fractures of...
Fetal Circulation
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
RBD is significantly associated with...
Flail Chest-II
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
Prosopagnosia
Attachment