Comprehensive Care for Lysosomal Storage Disorders
More than 50 diseases are considered lysosomal storage disorders. The most common are Gaucher disease, Fabry disease, Hunter syndrome, Hurler syndrome, Tay-Sachs disease, and Pompe disease. The rare, inherited conditions occur when the body doesn't produce the enzymes needed to help break down certain substances, such as fats, sugars, or proteins.
Lysosomal storage disorders affect many different body systems, including the bones and joints, skin, heart, kidneys, liver, and central nervous system. Physical and intellectual developmental delay may also occur. Because so many different systems can be affected, our team includes many specialists, such as pediatric geneticists, neurologists, endocrinologists, orthopedic surgeons, cardiologists, and others. We work together to manage the complications caused by lysosomal storage disorders.
Family and Support Services
Tests Overview
We are here to answer your questions and provide the support you need to care for yourself or your child. Our doctors and nurses will connect you and your family to additional services.
Education and Guidance
Description
Our child life specialists provide support, education, and guidance to help you and your child during treatment and hospitalization. Child life specialists explain procedures, offer encouragement, and use fun activities to take your child’s mind off treatment.
Care Coordination and Support
Description
Our social workers can help you navigate the medical system and coordinate the variety of health services you and your family need. We help you work with insurance providers, connect you with resources, and help you manage details related to your care or your child’s.
A Research-Based Approach to Treatment
Choose Duke for your lysosomal storage disorder treatment because we offer:
Access to the Latest Treatments
Everything we learn through our research benefits our patients as soon as possible. This is significant for your care or your child’s because we have been recognized for discovering new and better ways to diagnose and treat inherited metabolic conditions like lysosomal disorders.
Groundbreaking Research
Duke researchers pioneered groundbreaking treatment for Pompe disease -- the only treatment available for this rare, life-threatening condition in which glycogen (a complex form of sugar) builds up in the body’s cells and cannot be cleared.
Access to Clinical Trials
Our work continues with promising clinical trials, which provide access to innovative therapies before they become widely available.
Partnership with Families
We also partner with patients and their families to monitor treatment progress, identify the challenges they face, and learn how to address their unmet needs. This information helps us provide the best care for you or your child.
