Advances in molecular genetics, imaging techniques, and novel medical and surgical therapies have improved the management and outcomes of children with congenital hyperinsulinism.
This review summarizes recent advances in the molecular genetics, diagnosis, and management of congenital hyperinsulinism, a rare cause of severe neonatal hypoglycemia.
Abstract Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is a rare disease characterized by an unregulated insulin release, leading to hypoglycaemia. It is the most frequent cause of persistent and severe hypoglycaemia in the neonatal period and early childhood. Mutations in 16 different key genes ( ABCC8 , KCNJ11 , GLUD1 , GCK , HADH , SLC16A1 , UCP2 , HNF4A , HNF1A , HK1 , KCNQ1 , CACNA1D , FOXA2 , EIF2S3 , PGM1 and PMM2 ) that are involved in regulating the insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells have been described to be responsible for the underlying molecular mechanisms of CHI. CHI can also be associated with specific syndromes and can be secondary to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), maternal diabetes, birth asphyxia, etc. It is important to diagnose and promptly initiate appropriate management as untreated hypoglycaemia can be associated with significant neurodisability. CHI can be histopathologically classified into diffuse, focal and atypical forms. Advances in molecular genetics, imaging techniques (18F-fluoro- l -dihydroxyphenylalanine positron emission tomography/computed tomography scanning), novel medical therapies and surgical advances (laparoscopic pancreatectomy) have changed the management and improved the outcome of patients with CHI. This review article provides an overview of the background, clinical presentation, diagnosis, molecular genetics and therapy for children with different forms of CHI.
Giri et al. (Tue,) conducted a review in Congenital hyperinsulinism. Advances in molecular genetics, imaging techniques, and novel medical and surgical therapies have improved the management and outcomes of children with congenital hyperinsulinism.