Congenital Islet Cell Adenoma Causing Hypoglycemia in a Newborn

Abstract

Hypoglycemia caused by an islet cell tumor of the pancreas has been reported in only a few newborn babies.1-7 This paper presents another case in whom the hypoglycemia was severe and resistant to all forms of medical therapy, including 7-chloro-3-methyl-2H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine 1, 1-dioxide (Diazoxide). Hyperinsulinemia was not found but the plasma insulin/glucose ratio was inappropriately high while the patient was hypoglycemic. The hypoglycemia was cured by removal of the tumor at the age of 4 months. Insulin levels in the tumor and in the normal pancreatic tissue are also reported. Methods Glucose tolerance tests were performed using 2.5 gm/kg glucose given as a 25% solution by gavage over 5 minutes.