Persistent neonatal hypoglycemia secondary to hyperinsulinism/hyperammonemia. Case report

Introduction: Hyperinsulinism/hyperammonemia syndrome (HI/HA) is a rare genetic disease caused by the activation of mutations in the GLUD1 gene. It is characterized by recurrent symptomatic hypoglycemic episodes, poor tolerance to fasting, and requirement for high metabolic fluxes of glucose, with an insulin/ glucose ratio ≥0.3. Case presentation: Preterm male newborn (36 2/7 weeks of gestation) who was delivered by caesarean section due to acute fetal distress. At birth, the patient presented with weak cry, hypotonia, mild respiratory distress, and recurrent episodes of hypoglycemia, thus 10% dextrose and hydrocortisone were administered initially. Treatment with octeoctride was started, but due to the patient's poor response, laboratory tests were performed, reporting the following findings: serum ammonia: 137.6, insulin: 39.1 µIU/mL, blood glucose: 26.06 mg/dL, and insulin/blood glucose ratio: 1.5, leading to the diagnosis of HI/HA syndrome. Treatment with diazoxide was initiated, achieving a progressive improvement in blood glucose levels; however, afterwards, he presented seizures, so midazolam, phenobarbital and valproic acid were added to the treatment regimen. When hypoglycemia and seizure episodes resolved, the patient was discharged at 2 months and 5 days of life, and a treatment based on oral administration of diazoxide, phenobarbital and valproic acid was prescribed. Conclusion: HI/HA syndrome is characterized by recurrent episodes of hypoglycemia and hyperammonemia; therefore, the presence of these two conditions in neonates is highly suggestive of the disease. Timely diagnosis and treatment are required to avoid neurological sequelae, and transdisciplinary assessment is of great importance, as it increases the likelihood of early diagnosis and timely administration of diazoxide to restore normal glucose levels.

Introducción. El síndrome hiperinsulinismo/hiperamoniemia (HI/HA) es una enfermedad genética rara causada por la activación de mutaciones en el gen GLUD1. Este síndrome se caracteriza por hipoglucemias sintomáticas recurrentes, poca tolerancia al ayuno y requerimiento de altos flujos metabólicos de glucosa, con un índice insulina/glucosa ≥0.3. Presentación del caso. Recién nacido masculino pretérmino de 36 2/7 semanas de gestación que nació por cesárea debido a sufrimiento fetal agudo. Al nacer, el paciente presentó llanto débil, hipotonia, dificultad respiratoria leve y episodios recurrentes de hipoglicemia, por lo que inicialmente se administró dextrosa 10% e hidrocortisona. Se inició tratamiento con octeoctride, pero ante la pobre respuesta, se realizaron exámenes de laboratorio en los que se reportó lo siguiente: amonio sérico: 137.6 pmol/L, insulina: 39.1 µUl/mL, glucemia: 26.06 mg/dL y relación insulina/glucemia: 1.5, lo que permitió diagnosticarlo con síndrome HI/HA. Se inició tratamiento con diazóxido, lográndose mejora progresiva de la glicemia; pero posteriormente presentó crisis convulsivas, por lo que se agregó midazolam, fenobarbital y ácido valproico al tratamiento. Al resolver la hipoglicemia y las convulsiones, el paciente fue dado de alta a los 2 meses y 5 días de vida, prescribiéndose un tratamiento basado en la administración oral de diazóxido, fenobarbital y ácido valproico. Conclusión. El síndrome HI/HA se caracteriza por hipoglucemias recurrentes e hiperamoniemia; por tanto, la presencia de estas dos condiciones en neonatos es altamente sugestiva de la enfermedad. Su diagnóstico y tratamiento deben ser oportunos para evitar secuelas neurológicas, siendo la valoración transdisciplinaria de gran importancia, pues aumenta las probabilidades de un diagnóstico temprano y administración oportuna de diazóxido para restablecer los niveles normales de glucosa.

Hiperinsulinismo congénito: caracterización de pacientes atendidos en un hospital universitario pediátrico en Colombia / Congenital hyperinsulinism: characterization of patients treated in a pediatric university hospital in Colombia

Resumen Introducción: El hiperinsulinismo congénito es una enfermedad del metabolismo de la glucosa, fundamental en la endocrinología pediátrica, ya que se refiere a la producción de mayor cantidad de insulina de la necesaria según la glucemia, lo cual produce hipoglucemias graves persistentes. Esta alteración puede tener importantes secuelas neurológicas debido al daño irreversible que se produce en la neurona por la exposición a la hipoglucemia por cortos periodos de tiempo. Su diagnóstico no es sencillo y requiere un alto índice de sospecha. El tratamiento se establece de manera secuencial, en varias etapas, observando la respuesta a cada uno de los posibles medicamentos empleados. En caso de que falle el manejo farmacológico, se requieren procedimientos quirúrgicos. Serie de casos: Se presentan siete casos de hiperinsulinismo congénito que fueron diagnosticados en los últimos 7 años en el Instituto Roosevelt en Bogotá, Colombia. En este país, el radiotrazador empleado usualmente durante la tomografía por emisión de positrones (PET/TC) no se encuentra disponible. Sin embargo, en uno de los casos descritos fue posible emplear otro radiotrazador alternativo que permitió un adecuado diagnóstico y un tratamiento quirúrgico exitoso. Conclusiones: El hiperinsulinismo congénito es una condición clínica compleja que amerita un correcto diagnóstico y un apropiado manejo, con el objetivo de evitar el daño neurológico que producen las hipoglucemias persistentes. Es posible emplear PET/TC con un radiotrazador adecuado para realizar un diagnóstico oportuno y proporcionar la mejor opción terapéutica disponible.

Abstract Background: Congenital hyperinsulinism is a disease of the glucose metabolism, relevant in pediatric endocrinology because of the elevated production of insulin according to blood glucose level, which leads to persistent severe hypoglycemia. This condition can produce important neurological sequelae in the patient due to the irreversible damage that occurs in the neuron caused by the exposure to hypoglycemia for short periods of time. Congenital hyperinsulinism diagnosis is not simple and it requires a high index of suspicion. The treatment should be established sequentially, in several steps, noticing the response to each possible medication used. If the pharmacological management fails, surgical procedures are required occasionally. Case series report: Seven cases of congenital hyperinsulinism diagnosed in the last seven years at the Instituto Roosevelt in Bogotá, Colombia are presented. In this country, the radiotracer used internationally during positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is not available. However, was possible to use an alternative radiotracer in one of the cases, which led to an adequate diagnosis and a successful surgical treatment. Conclusions: Congenital hyperinsulinism is a complex clinical condition, which requires proper diagnosis and treatment, with the aim of avoiding any neurological damage caused by persistent hypoglycemia. PET/CT can be used with an appropriate radiotracer for a timely diagnosis and to provide the best available therapeutic option.

Efeito do diazóxido nas lesões da isquemia/reperfusão hepática: estudo experimental em ratos / Effect of diazoxide in the lesions of ischemia/ reperfusion liver: experimental study in rats

INTRODUÇÃO: A lesão de isquemia/reperfusão hepática ocorre durante cirurgias hepáticas de grande porte, transplante de fígado e no trauma abdominal. A lesão de isquemia/reperfusão hepática ocasiona lesões no fígado e pode desencadear uma síndrome inflamatória sistêmica com lesões de órgãos a distância. Estudos anteriores demonstraram que o diazóxido protege outros órgãos (coração, rins, cérebro) da lesão de isquemia/reperfusão destes órgãos. OBJETIVO: Investigar o efeito da administração do diazóxido na lesão de isquemia/reperfusão hepática. MÉTODOS: Ratos Wistar machos foram divididos em 3 grupos. Em 2 grupos, os animais foram submetidos à isquemia hepática parcial realizada por clampeamento do pedículo dos lobos mediano e lateral anterior esquerdo durante uma hora sob ventilação mecânica. Grupo Salina (n=26): ratos receberam solução salina e Grupo Diazóxido (n=26): ratos receberam diazóxido EV ( 3.5mg/kg ) 15 minutos antes da reperfusão hepática. No terceiro grupo, Grupo Controle (n = 22 ), os ratos foram submetidos apenas à anestesia e manipulação cirúrgica. Quatro e 24 horas após os procedimentos, amostras de sangue foram recolhidas para determinações de AST, ALT, TNF-alfa, IL-6, IL-10, de nitrito/nitrato, creatinina. Amostras teciduais do fígado foram analisadas para dosagem do malondialdeído (MDA), para o estudo das funções oxidativas e fosforilativas mitocondriais, e para a análise histológica. Pela coleta de tecido pulomonar, a permeabilidade vascular pulmonar e a atividade da mieloperoxidade (MPO) também foram determinados. RESULTADOS: Quatro horas após, a reperfusão o Grupo Diazóxido apresentou elevações de AST, ALT, TNF-alfa, IL-6, IL-10 e níveis séricos de nitrito/nitrato significativamente menores que o Grupo Controle (p < 0,05). Observou-se uma redução significativa da disfunção mitocondrial hepática no Grupo Diazóxido em comparação com o Grupo Controle (p < 0,05). Não foram observadas diferenças no conteúdo de MDA fígado, na creatinina sérica e...

INTRODUCTION: Significant liver ischemia/reperfusion injury can occur during hepatic surgeries, liver transplantation and abdominal trauma. Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion can trigger a local and systemic inflammatory syndrome. Previous studies have shown that diazoxide protects other organs (heart, kidneys, brain) from ischemia/reperfusion injury. AIM: To investigate the effect of diazoxide administration on liver ischemic/reperfusion injury. METHODS: Wistar male rats were divided into 3 groups. In two groups the rats underwent partial liver ischemia performed by clamping the pedicle from medium and left anterior lateral segments during an hour under mechanical ventilation. Saline Group (n=26): rats received saline and Diazoxide Group (n=26): rats received IV diazoxide (3.5mg/kg) 15 minutes before liver reperfusion. The third group, the Control Group (n=22) the rats underwent only anesthesia and surgical manipulation. Four and 24 hours after the procedure blood were collected for determinations of AST, ALT, TNF-alfa, IL-6, IL-10, nitrite/nitrate, creatinine. Liver tissues were assembled for mitochondrial oxidation and phosphorylation, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and histologic analysis. Pulmonary vascular permeability and myeloperoxidade (MPO) were also determined. RESULTS: Four hours after reperfusion Diazoxide Group presented elevation of AST, ALT, TNF-alfa, IL-6, IL-10 and nitrite/nitrate serum levels significantly lower than Control Group (p < 0.05). A significant reduction on liver mitochondrial dysfunction were observed in Diazoxide Group compared to Control Group (p < 0.05). No differences in liver MDA content,serum creatinine and in pulmonary vascular permeability and MPO activity were observed between groups. Twenty four hours after reperfusion Diazoxide Group showed a reduction of AST, ALT and TGF?1 serum levels when compared to Control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Diazoxide maintains liver mitochondrial function, increases liver...