Paige Shiver, the former executive assistant to former University of Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore, told ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Friday that she has Pompe disease.
Shriver said after she became pregnant as a result of her relationship with Moore, medical experts urged her to have an abortion due to potential complications related to the genetic disease.
What is Pompe disease?
Pompe disease is a rare genetic disorder that affects how the body uses stored sugar for energy.
It is caused by mutations in the gene that helps make an enzyme called acid alpha-glucosidase, which normally breaks down glycogen. Without it, glycogen builds up in cells, especially in muscles, causing damage over time.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms can vary depending on age, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Babies with a severe form of Pompe may have weak muscles, trouble breathing, feeding difficulties and an enlarged heart.
How does it develop?
In later-onset cases, people develop gradual muscle weakness, fatigue and breathing problems.
Treatments, but no cure
There’s no cure but it can be treated. The main option is enzyme replacement therapy, which gives patients a lab-made version of the missing enzyme to help reduce damage and slow the disease.
Its rareness makes it difficult to estimate just how prevalent the disease is. Health news publisher Bionews estimated that around 1 in 40,000 people have the genetic disease.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Shiver said she has Pompe disease. Here’s what that is
Reporting by Max Reinhart, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
