Long-term response to sulfonylurea in a patient with diabetes due to mutation in the KCNJ11 gene

OBJECTIVE: To report the long-term (30-month) effect of the switch from insulin to sulfonylurea in a patient carrying the p.G53D (c.158G>A) mutation in KCNJ11 gene. SUBJECT AND METHOD: A 29-year-old male patient was diagnosed with diabetes in the third month of life and after identification of a heterozygous p.G53D mutation in the KCNJ11 gene, the therapy was switched from insulin to sulfonylurea. RESULTS: Long-term follow-up (30 months) showed that good metabolic control was maintained (HbA1c: 6.6%) and the glibenclamide dose could be reduced. CONCLUSION: Long-term therapy with sulfonylureas in patients with neonatal diabetes due to mutation in the KCNJ11 gene is safe and promotes sustained improvement of glycemic control.