Table of contents:
- Recognizing congenital hyperinsulinemia
- Causes of hyperinsulinemia in infants
- Signs and complications in infants with hyperinsulinemia
- What can be done?
Hyperinsulinemia is a disorder caused by high levels of the hormone insulin that are too high in the bloodstream compared to blood sugar levels. Although known as hallmark from diabetes, too high insulin levels can be a sign of metabolic disorders in a person, it can even occur in infancy, this is known as congenital hyperinsulinemia (hyperinsulinemia in infants).
Recognizing congenital hyperinsulinemia
Congenital hyperinsulinemia is a congenital disease that causes excessive insulin production in a person. This is due to abnormalities in the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas gland or pancreatic beta cells.
In normal circumstances pancreatic beta cells produce insulin sufficiently and only produced to balance blood sugar levels at normal levels. As a result, babies who experience hyperinsulinemia will experience blood sugar levels that are too low. This condition can be fatal because blood sugar is needed to maintain physiological functions in the baby's body.
Hyperinsulinemia in infants can usually be recognized through several symptoms that occur in infancy (less than 12 months of age) or until the age of under 18 months. However, the disorder can also be persistent or discovered only in children to adulthood, with fewer cases. This is because congenital hyperinsulinemia has clinical, genetic characteristics. and variable disease progression.
Causes of hyperinsulinemia in infants
Genetic abnormalities in insulin-producing cells in the pancreas gland are thought to be the main cause of congenital hyperinsulinemia. However, in about 50% of cases there is no genetic mutation. In some cases - although rare - indicating that this disorder is a condition that runs in a family, there are at least nine genes that are inherited and can trigger congenital hyperinsulinemia. In addition, there are no known risk factors associated with pregnancy conditions for congenital hyperinsulinemia.
Signs and complications in infants with hyperinsulinemia
Low blood sugar levels occur when below 60 mg / dL, but low blood sugar levels due to hyperinsulinemia are estimated to be below 50 mg / dL. Based on the symptoms, the signs of congenital hyperinsulinemia in infants are difficult to recognize because they are very similar to normal conditions for normal babies.
A baby may be suspected of having congenital hyperinsulinemia if he:
- Too fussy
- Easily sleepy
- Shows signs of lethargy or loss of consciousness
- Hunger all the time
- Heart beats fast
Meanwhile, congenital hyperinsulinemia that occurs after entering the age of children has common symptoms such as hypoglycemia in general, including:
- Limp
- Tiring easily
- Experiencing confusion or difficulty thinking
- Experiencing tremors
- The heart beats fast
In addition, the condition of blood sugar levels that are too low for a long time can trigger symptoms of complications such as coma, seizures, and permanent brain damage. These complications will also have an impact on central nervous development such as growth disorders, nervous system disorders (focal neurological deficits), and mental retardation, although there is very little brain damage.
Congenital hyperinsulinemia is also at risk of causing premature death if the condition of prolonged hypoglycemia is not treated or is not treated appropriately.
What can be done?
Congenital hyperinsulinemia is a rare genetic disorder that is difficult to recognize and may even occur for a long time without adequate treatment. Early detection and treatment is needed to prevent long-term complications and death. Prospective parents can also find out their child's chances of experiencing congenital hyperinsulinemia by carrying out genetic testing for carriers of the disorder.
One form of treatment available is pancreatectomy or cutting a portion of the pancreas that is detected as abnormal. After carrying out these treatments, hypoglycemia tends to be easier to control and there is a chance of recovery within a few months or years later.
However, it should be noted that there is also the possibility that the hypoglycemic condition can persist even after 95-98% of the pancreas is cut. Other than that, pancreatectomy also has a side effect, namely an increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus in the future.
A person with congenital hyperinsulinemia may also need long-term treatment to regulate blood sugar levels in a stable state. The help of a nutritionist may be needed to plan a diet for sufferers. Blood sugar levels should always be monitored by both the patient and their immediate family. They also need to recognize the signs of hypoglycemia and what to do about it.
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