Hyperinsulinism-hyperammonemia syndrome in an infant with seizures

Abstract

Hyperinsulinism-hyperammonemia syndrome (HI/HA) is the second most common form of persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy (PHHI). The main clinical characteristics of HI/HA syndrome are repeated episodes of symptomatic hypoglycemia, but not usually severe. Consequently, children with HI/HA syndrome are frequently not recognized in the first months of life. An 8-month-old boy was admitted to a hospital due to hypoglycemia seizures. He also had asymptomatic hyperammonemia with no signs of lethargy or headaches. Genetic testing revealed autosomal dominant syndrome, a mutation in the GLUD1 gene (p.Arg274Cys). The boy started treatment with diazoxide. Subsequent growth and neurological development were normal. Hypoglycemic symptoms in HI/HA syndrome may vary from being non specific to severe. As hypoglycemia could lead to brain injury and impairment of neurological development, timely diagnosis and management are essential. If transient hypoglycemia is ruled out, metabolic disorders must be taken into account.

Keywords

• diazoxide
• glud1 gene
• glutamate dehy-drogenase
• hyperinsulinism-hyperammonemia (hi/ha) syndrome
• persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy