CASE REPORTS   

Minerva Pediatrica 2011 April;63(2):111-4

Copyright © 2011 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Transient neonatal hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia and neurological outcome: a case report

Vercellino G. F. ¹, Cremonte M. ¹, Carlando G. ², Colivicchi M. ², Crivelli S. ², Ricotti A. ², Sabatini M. ², Temporini F. ², Lera R. ³, Pesce F. ³, Besana D. ¹ ✉

¹ Department of Child Neuropsychiatry, “C. Arrigo” Hospital, Alessandria, Italy; ² Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatology, “C.Arrigo” Hospital, Alessandria, Italy; ³ Department of Pediatrics, “C.Arrigo” Hospital, Alessandria, Italy

Transient neonatal hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (TNHI) is a form of neonatal-onset hyperinsulinism which usually resolves completely in a few days or months. It is secondary to conditions such as maternal diabetes mellitus or intra-uterine growth retardation. Other rare causes of TNHI are perinatal asphyxia and gestational diabetes. Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (HI) is also observed in association with rare metabolic or genetic conditions. It can also occur in newborns without risk factors. TNHI is usually a transient phenomenon. However, some newborns can have prolonged HI that requires treatment with diazoxide, persists for several months and then resolves spontaneously. Neonatal hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia must be promptly and correctly diagnosed and treated in order to avoid neurological consequences. We describe a case of transient neonatal hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia in a full-term born without perinatal complications and appropriate for gestational age with an unfavourable neurological outcome.