Insulinoma simulando una epilepsia: reporte de caso / Insulinoma simulating epilepsy: case report

Insulinoma es un tumor neuroendocrino que surge de las células ß del páncreas y produce hiperinsulinemia endógena. Son neoplasias raras con una incidencia reportada de 4 casos por millón de habitantes por año. La presentación clínica típicamente cursa con síntomas adrenérgicos y neuroglucopénicos secundarios a hipoglicemia. Requiere estudios de niveles séricos de insulina, pro-insulina y péptido C, además de imágenes diagnosticas que confirmen los hallazgos. La mayoría de los insulinomas son benignos, su sitio primario más común es el páncreas y pueden extirparse quirúrgicamente. Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 36 años con déficit cognitivo leve y episodios de diaforesis con deterioro neurológico hasta convulsiones tónico clónicas generalizadas que curiosamente resolvían con uso doméstico de "panela molida". Se ingresó a urgencias por ataques recurrentes de hipoglicemia severa con requerimiento de altas dosis de dextrosa al 50% por acceso central, hasta confirmación diagnóstica, intervención y resección de tumor neuroendocrino pancreático bien diferenciado (G1 según clasificación OMS) tipo insulinoma en la cola del páncreas.

Insulinoma is a neuroendocrine tumor that arises from the ß cells of the pancreas and produces endogenous hyperinsulinemia. They are rare neoplasms with a reported incidence to 4 cases per million inhabitants per year. The clinical presentation typically presents with adrenergic and neuroglycopenic symptoms secondary to hypoglycemia. It requires studies of serum levels of insulin, pro-insulin and C-peptide, in addition to diagnostic images that confirm the findings. Most insulinomas are benign, their most common primary site is the pancreas, and they can be removed surgically. We present the case of a 36-year-old man with mild cognitive deficits and episodes of diaphoresis with neurological deterioration to generalized clonic tonic seizures that curiously resolved with domestic use of "ground brown sugar". He was admitted to the emergency department due to recurrent attacks of severe hypoglycemia with a high-dose requirement for 50% dextrose through central access, until diagnostic confirmation, intervention, and resection of a welldifferentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (G1 according to WHO classification) insulinoma in the tail of pancreas.

Insulinoterapia en situaciones especiales / Insulin therapy in special conditions

La hiperglucemia durante la internación es una condición frecuente que se asocia al aumento de complicaciones y resulta en un mal pronóstico para quienes la padecen. La estrategia para su tratamiento es la insulinoterapia. Un adecuado control glucémico se asocia a mejor evolución y pronóstico. Sin embargo, el nivel adecuado de glucemia se encuentra aún en debate, ya que aquellos ensayos en los cuales se fijaron metas estrictas demostraron incrementar las tasas de hipoglucemia y eventos clínicos adversos. La diabetes mellitus es la principal causa de enfermedad renal crónica en nuestro país. El tratamiento en ese contexto merece un análisis especial, ya que la vida media de la insulina puede resultar prolongada. Las opciones de insulinización en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica e insuficiencia asociada provienen de recomendaciones de expertos en las cuales se jerarquizan esquemas que utilizan insulina de acción intermedia o prolongada asociadas a insulina regular o análogos de acción rápida. Durante el embarazo, las insulinas NPH y regular han demostrado seguridad y eficacia. Sin embargo, el desarrollo de nuevas moléculas de acción lenta y rápida permitió reducir la variabilidad glucémica, mejorar el control de la glucemia postprandial y reducir la tasa de hipoglucemias. El objetivo del presente trabajo es proporcionar una revisión sobre el adecuado uso de insulina en estas tres situaciones especiales.

Hyperglycemia during hospitalization is a common condition associated with poor prognosis. To date, insulin is the best strategy to treat hyperglycemia in these patients. An adequate glycemic control is associated with better clinical results. Nevertheless, glycemic goals are still controversial due to the increase of hypoglycemia and other adverse events. Diabetes mellitus is still the main cause of chronic renal failure in our country and its treatment deserves a special analysis considering that insulin pharmacokinetics is altered. Recommendations in this setting are based in expert panel opinions, focusing mainly in intermediate or long acting insulins combined with regular insulin and/or rapid acting analogues. During pregnancy, NPH and regular insulin are safe and effective. It is worth mentioning that the development of new long and rapid acting molecules yielded lower glycemic variability, better post-prandial control and less hypoglycemia. The aim of this study is to provide a review of the proper use of insulin in these special conditions.

Energy intake underreporting of adults in a household survey: the impact of using a population specific basal metabolic rate equation / Subestimativa da ingestão energética em amostra probabilística de adultos: o impacto do uso de equações específicas para taxa metabólica basal / Subestimación de la ingesta energética en una muestra probabilística de adultos: el impacto del uso de ecuaciones específicas para la tasa metabólica basal

The purpose of the present study was to identify energy intake (EI) underreporting and to estimate the impact of using a population specific equation for the basal metabolic rate (BMR) in a probability sample of adults from Niterói, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. A sample of 1,726 subjects participated in the study. EI was assessed by a 24-hour dietary recall and EI/BMR was computed with BMR estimated using internationally recommended equations as well as specific equations developed for the adult population of Niterói. Mean EI was 1,570.9 and 2,188.8kcal.day-1 for women and men, respectively. EI decreased with increasing age in both men and women. BMR estimated by the Brazilian equation was significantly lower than the values estimated by the international equation for all age, sex and nutritional status groups. In general, EI underreporting was found in at least 50% of the population, higher in women, and increased with increasing age and body mass index (BMI). The results of the present study confirm that EI is underreported, even when BMR is estimated using population-specific equations.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar a subestimativa da ingestão energética (IE) e estimar o impacto do uso de uma equação específica da população para a taxa metabólica basal (TMB), em amostra probabilística de adultos do Município de Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Uma amostra de 1.726 indivíduos da população adulta participou do estudo. Ingestão energética foi avaliada por um recordatório de 24 horas e IE/TMB foi calculada com TMB estimada pelas equações recomendadas e pelas equações específicas para a população. A média da IE foi 1.570,9 e 2.188,8kcal.dia-1 em mulheres e homens, respectivamente. A ingestão energética diminuiu com o aumento da idade em homens e mulheres. A taxa metabólica basal estimada pela equação brasileira foi significativamente menor do que os valores estimados pela equação recomendada para todas as idades, sexo e estado nutricional. Em geral, a subestimativa da IE foi encontrada em pelo menos 50% da população, maior em mulheres, e aumentou com o avanço da idade e índice de massa corporal (IMC). Os resultados confirmam que IE é subestimada, mesmo quando a TMB é estimada pelas equações da população específica.

El objetivo del presente estudio fue identificar la subestimación de la ingesta energética (IE) y estimar el impacto del uso de una ecuación específica de la población para la tasa metabólica basal (TMB), en una muestra probabilística de adultos del municipio de Niterói, Río de Janeiro, Brasil. Una muestra de 1.726 individuos de la población adulta participó en el estudio. La ingesta energética fue evaluada mediante un recordatorio de 24 horas y las IE/TMB fueron calculadas con una TMB estimada por las ecuaciones recomendadas y por las ecuaciones específicas para la población. La media de la IE fue 1.570,9 y 2.188,8kcal.día-1 en mujeres y hombres, respectivamente. La ingesta energética disminuyó con el aumento de la edad en hombres y mujeres. La tasa metabólica basal estimada por la ecuación brasileña fue significativamente menor que los valores estimados por la ecuación recomendada para todas las edades, sexo y estado nutricional. En general, la subestimación de la IE se encontró en por lo menos un 50% de la población, fue mayor en mujeres y aumentó con el aumento de la edad e índice de masa corporal (IMC). Los resultados confirman que la IE está subestimada, incluso cuando la TMB está estimada por las ecuaciones de población específica.

Seguimiento y manejo de las complicaciones médicas tardías del obeso operado / Follow-up and treatment of late medical complications after bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment to reduce obesity by means of procedures aimed at restricting food intake and /or malabsorption. All procedures cause anatomic and functional changes that alter digestive physiology and reduce macro and micronutrients bioavailability. In the long run, surgical, metabolic and nutritional complications might occur. Anemia, vitamins and minerals deficiency are more frequent with malabsorption techniques, but they may also occur with restrictive techniques. Vitamin deficiency can cause neurological, hematologic and bone disorders, some of them with severe clinical manifestation. After bariatric surgery it is recommended to prescribe specific nutritional supplements and control patients periodically for prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of any complications.

La cirugía bariátrica es un efectivo tratamiento para reducir la obesidad mediante técnicas que sólo restringen la ingesta de alimentos y otras que además disminuyen la absorción intestinal. Todos los procedimientos causan cambios anatómicos y funcionales que alteran la fisiología digestiva y disminuyen la biodisponibilidad de macro y micronutrientes. En el largo plazo, pueden ocurrir complicaciones quirúrgicas, metabólicas y nutricionales, entre las que destacan anemia, deficiencia de vitaminas y minerales que son más frecuentes con las técnicas de mala absorción, pero también pueden ocurrir con técnicas restrictivas. La deficiencia de vitaminas produce alteraciones neurológicas, hematológicas y óseas que en algunos casos pueden ser severas. Después de la cirugía bariátrica se recomienda la administración de suplementos nutricionales específicos y controlar periódicamente a los pacientes para prevención, diagnóstico y tratamiento precoz de eventuales complicaciones.

Treatment with acarbose in severe hypoglycaemia due to late dumping syndrome / Tratamiento con acarbosa en la hipoglicemia severa debido al síndrome de dumping tardío

BACKGROUND: We present a case of recurrent loss of consciousness, which was finally accurately diagnosed as late dumping syndrome twelve years after subtotal gastrectomy and successfully treated with acarbose. A 66-year old lean male was found unconscious repeatedly within one year. Oral glucose tolerance tests performed before and after acarbose treatment verified the diagnosis of late dumping syndrome. Acarbose can be used as a successful treatment modality for reactive hypoglycaemia due to late dumping syndrome by influencing the release of hormone.

ANTECEDENTES: Presentamos un caso de pérdida recurrente de conciencia, que fue finalmente diagnosticado con precisión como síndrome de dumping tardío, doce años después de la gastrectomía subtotal, y tratado con éxito con acarbosa. Un hombre magro de 66 años de edad fue encontrado inconsciente repetidas veces en un año. Las pruebas orales de tolerancia a la glucosa realizadas antes y después del tratamiento con acarbosa verificaron el diagnóstico de síndrome de dumping tardío. La acarbosa puede utilizarse como una modalidad de tratamiento acertado para la hipoglicemia reactiva debido al síndrome de dumping tardío por la influencia en la liberación de hormonas.

Prevelance, risk factors and outcomes of hypoglycemia in elderly diabetic patients

To estimate the clinical outcomes of hypoglycemia in elderly diabetic patients, its associations with the different antidiabetic drugs and some predisposing factors or comorbid conditions. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients with age 60 years or above fulfilling Whiple's criteria for hypoglycemia were included in this study. They were collected from the medical unit Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar from November 2010 to July 2011. The patient's history, clinical examination and investigations were recorded on a proforma. Patients with abnormal CNS findings on CT or MRI scan and those who didn't give any partial or complete response to the IV glucose, were excluded from the study. Eighty five patients with mean age of 75+6 years were included in this study. The average hospital stay was 10 days. Sixty-five percent [n=55] of these patients were using sulfonylureas, 20% [n=17] were using metformin alone and in combination, while 25% [n=21] were using insulin [combination of regular and intermediate acting]. Impaired renal function in 40% [n=34], impaired liver functions in 20% [n=17] and neglected elderly in 30.6% [n=26] were the most common predisposing factors. Diabetic treatment related hypoglycemia is more severe in the elderly population with a poor prognosis. Sulfonylureas are the most frequently associated drugs with poorer outcomes. Predisposing factors like impaired renal functions, liver functions and neglected elderly increase the frequency of hypoglycemia. HbA1c is not a good predictor of hypoglycemia in elderly population

Utilização da insulina glargina em crianças menores de oito anos de idade / Use of insulin glargine in type 1 diabetes children with less than eight years old

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar prospectivamente a eficácia e a segurança da insulina glargina no controle metabólico de crianças com diabetes melito tipo 1 (DMT1) com menos de oito anos de idade. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 19 meninos e 11 meninas. Antes de iniciar a insulina glargina, todas as crianças foram colocadas em tratamento intensivo com insulina NPH e insulina asparte durante três meses. Posteriormente, os pacientes foram acompanhados por 12 meses para o tratamento com glargina. Todos os pacientes realizavam medidas da glicemia capilar 3-7 vezes ao dia. Desfechos principais: controle metabólico por meio da hemoglobina glicada (A1c); ocorrência de hipoglicemia leve (glicemia capilar < 60 mg/dL) e ocorrência de hipoglicemia grave (perda ou alteração na consciência, convulsão ou necessidade de intervenção médica). RESULTADOS: A1c média no início do estudo foi 8,68 por cento, semelhante ao valor obtido ao final dos 12 meses de tratamento com glargina (8,64 por cento; p = 0,82). A frequência de hipoglicemia leve às 3 horas da madrugada foi 1,43/3 meses por paciente com insulina NPH e de 0,28/3 meses por paciente com insulina glargina (p < 0,007). Em relação à hipoglicemia severa, houve uma diferença favorável à glargina: 0,008 versus 0,56 eventos/3 meses por paciente (p < 0,002). CONCLUSÕES: O uso da insulina glargina no tratamento de crianças com DMT1 foi considerado tão eficaz quanto o uso da NPH, apresentando, no entanto, melhor perfil de segurança caracterizado pelo menor risco de hipoglicemia noturna e severa.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate prospectively the efficacy and safety of insulin glargine use for the metabolic control of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) children younger than eight years old. METHODS: Nineteen boys and 11 girls with T1DM were included. Before initiating insulin glargine, all children received intensive NPH and aspart insulins for three months. Afterwards, they were assisted for 12 more months for glargine treatment. All patients performed self blood glucose monitoring before and two hours after meals and in early morning (3:00 AM). Primary endpoints: metabolic control using A1C levels; frequency of mild hypoglycemia (capillary glycemia < 60 mg/dL); and frequency of severe hypoglycemia (loss or alteration of consciousness, seizures or need for medical intervention). RESULTS: Mean A1C at the study entry was 8.68 percent and after 12 months of glargine, was 8.64 percent (p = 0.82). Frequency of mild hypoglycemia at 3.00 AM was 1.43/3 months during the NPH period and 0.28/3 months during the glargine period (p < 0.007). Frequency of severe hypoglycemia was 0.56/3 months during the NPH period and 0.008/3 months during the glargine period (p < 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of T1DM children with insulin glargine was considered as efficacious as with NPH. However, a better safety profile, disclosed by the lower incidence of nocturnal and severe hypoglycemia episodes, was observed for insulin glargine.

Medical treatment of insulinomas: the role of diphenylhydantoin

Surgical removal of the insulinoma continues to be the treatment of choice. Medical therapy should be considered in patients who cannot undergo surgery. We are reporting our experience with regard to the efficacy of Diphenylhydantoin [DPH] in controlling hypoglycemia and suppressing insulin release in patients with insulinomas. DPH was administered orally at a dose of 300-400 mg/day to three patients with documented endogenous insulin excess. The first two patients received the drug temporarily during the preoperative period, with resolution of the hypoglycemic attacks, normalization of blood glucose, and reduction of insulin levels. Subsequent surgery confirmed the presence of insulin-secreting pancreatic tumor. Cure was achieved after excision of the tumor. The third patient represented a diagnostic and threrapeutic challenge. An insulin-secreting tumor located in the body of the pancreas was diagnosed in a patient with type 2 diabetes and end stage renal disease. The patient's poor cardiac function contra-indicated surgery. DPH resulted in an excellent sustained control of his blood sugar and a fall in insulin levels for several months. We believe that DPH is a potent inhibitor of insulin secretion and, thus, is suitable as a temporary therapeutic measure in the preoperative period of patients with insulinoma, as well as an alternative to surgery for those who are not surgical candidates

Factores predisponentes y repercusión del accidente hipoglucémico en embarazadas diabéticas pre-gestacionales bajo tratamiento insulínico intensivo / Predisposing factors and impact of the hypoglycaemic accident on pregnant women with pregestational diabetes under intensive insulin treatment

Objetivo: analizar los factores que predisponen al accidente hipoglucémico durante el embarazo en diabéticas pre-gestacionales y su repercusión materna y perinatal. Métodos: se estudiaron retrospectivamente 175 embarazadas diabéticas pre-gestacionales (73 B, 22 C, 66 D, 4 F, 1 H, 5 R, y 4 F-R) en el período 2001-2006, todas estuvieron sometidas a tratamiento dietético e insulínico y este último aplicado según el método descrito por los profesores Valdés Amador y Márquez Guillén. Los resultados maternos y perinatales se analizan comparativamente entre las que sufrieron del accidente y las que no, para lo cual utilizamos el test X2 de Fisher con un significado de p< 0,05. RESULTADOS: se detectó un accidente hipoglucémico en 78 pacientes (44,6 por ciento), de ellas, calificado de leve en 54 (30,9 por ciento) y en 24 (13,7 por ciento) de grave. La frecuencia de hipoglucemia resultó significativamente más frecuente en las diabéticas tipo 1, de 25 años o menos, nulíparas, con bajo o normo peso corporal y algún grado de lesión vascular presente. No detectamos repercusión en morbi-mortalidad perinatal, ni anomalías congénitas por motivo de la complicación. Conclusiones: las embarazadas diabéticas tipo 1, con algún grado de lesión vascular y de bajo o normo peso corporal son más propensas al accidente muy probablemente por la reportada pérdida de la reacción hormonal contrarregulatoria.

Objective: to analyze the factors predisposing the hypoglycaemic accident during pregnancy in pregestational diabetic women and its maternal and perinatal repercussion. Methods: 175 pregnant women affected by pregestational diabetes (73 B, 22 C, 66 D, 4 F, 1 H, 5 R, y 4 F-R) were retrospectively studied from 2001 to 2006. All of them were under dietetic and insulin treatment. The latter was applied by the method described by professors Valdés Amador and Márquez Guillén. The maternal and perinatal results were comparatively analyzed among those who suffered the accident and those who did not, for which we used Fisher's chi square test with a significance of p< 0.05. RESULTS: a hypoglycaemic accident was detected in 78 patients (44.6 percent). It was mild in 54 (30.9 percent) and severe in 24 (13.7 percent). Hypoglycaemia was more significantly frequent in type-1 diabetic women aged 25 or under, nuliparous, with low or normal body weight and with some grade of vascular lesion. No impact was detected on perinatal morbimortality, and no congenital anomalies were observed as a result of the complication. Conclusions: type-1 diabetic women with some grade of vascular lesion and with low or normal body weight are proner to the accident due very probably to the reported loss of counterregulatory hormonal reaction.

Adjuvantes no tratamento da hiperglicemia do diabetes melito tipo 1: [revisão] / Adjunctive therapies to glycaemic control of type 1 diabetes mellitus: [review]

Desde o Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), a terapia insulínica intensiva tem sido direcionada para alcançar valores de glicemia e hemoglobina glicada (HbA1c) tão próximos do normal quanto a segurança permita. Entretanto, a hiperglicemia (especialmente a hiperglicemia pós-prandial) e a hipoglicemia continuam a ser um problema no manejo do diabetes tipo 1. O objetivo de associar outras drogas à terapia insulínica é diminuir a glicemia pós-prandial. A terapia adjunta pode ser dividida em três grupos, conforme seu mecanismo de ação: 1. Aumento da ação da insulina (metformina e tiazolidinedionas); 2. Alteração da liberação de nutrientes no trato gastrintestinal (acarbose e amilina); 3. Outros modos de ação [pirenzepina, fator de crescimento insulina-símile (IGF-1) e peptídeo semelhante ao glucagon 1 (GLP-1). Muitos desses agentes mostraram, em estudos de curto prazo, diminuição de 0,5 por cento a 1 por cento na HbA1c, diminuir a hiperglicemia pós-prandial e as doses diárias de insulina.

Since Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), intensive therapy has been directed at achieving glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values as close to normal as possible regarding safety issues. However, hyperglycemia (especially postprandial hyperglycemia) and hypoglicemia continue to be problematic in the management of type 1 diabetes. The objective of associating other drugs to insulin therapy is to achieve better metabolic control lowering postprandial blood glucose levels. Adjunctive therapies can be divided in four categories based on their mechanism of action: enhancement of insulin action (e.g. the biguanides and thiazolidinediones), alteration of gastrointestinal nutrient delivery (e.g. acarbose and amylin) and other targets of action (e.g. pirenzepine, insulin-like growth factor I and glucagon-like peptide-1). Many of these agents have been found to be effective in short-term studies with decreases in HbA1c of 0.5-1 percent, lowering postprandial blood glucose levels and decreasing daily insulin doses.

A evolução da insulinoterapia no diabetes melito tipo 1: [revisão] / Insulin therapy for type 1 diabetes mellitus: past and present: [review]

A descoberta da insulina foi o grande marco da história do diabetes melito e a grande conquista para o seu tratamento. A primeira insulina disponibilizada foi a regular. Na seqüência, Hagedorn acrescentou a protamina à insulina, criando, assim, a insulina NPH. Na década de 1950 foi sintetizada uma insulina desprovida de protamina, denominada insulina lenta. Com o advento da biologia molecular, sintetizou-se, via DNA recombinante, a insulina humana sintética. Mais recentemente, foram disponibilizados vários tipos de análogos de insulina que permitiram o melhor controle metabólico dos pacientes. O tratamento do diabetes melito tipo 1, além do processo educacional, incluindo a prática regular de atividades físicas e orientações dietéticas, resume-se na substituição plena de insulina de longa e curta durações de ação, de maneira individualizada, de acordo com a experiência do médico-assistente. No diabetes melito tipo 1, a preferência é pelas insulinas de menor variabilidade, por meio do esquema basal/bólus ou pelas bombas de infusão contínua de insulina subcutânea com o objetivo de mimetizar a liberação fisiológica de insulina pelas células-beta.

The discovery of insulin can be considered the milestone of diabetes mellitus history and a great achievement for its treatment. The first insulin available was the regular. Afterwards, Hagedorn added the protamine to the insulin, thus, creating the NPH insulin. In the 1950s an insulin free of protamine was synthesized: the lente insulin. With the advent of molecular biology, synthetic human insulin was synthesized using recombinant DNA technology. Most recently several types of insulin analogues were available, providing the patients with better metabolic control. Type 1 diabetes mellitus treatment includes plain substitution and individualization for short-acting plus long-acting insulin according to the physician's assistance, besides regular practice of physical activities and diet orientations. In type 1 diabetes mellitus the insulin of low variability is the best choice since basal/bolus insulin therapy or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion pump can mimetize the physiological release of insulin by beta cells.

Novas opções na terapia insulínica: [revisão] / New options in insulin therapy: [review]

OBJETIVO: Revisar as novas opções nas terapêuticas insulínicas para controlar o diabetes melito de crianças e adolescentes. FONTES DOS DADOS: Foram revisados artigos indexados no PubMed buscados conforme as palavras insulin analogs in children and adolescents e incluídas informações contidas nos consensos da American Diabetes Association e Sociedade Brasileira de Diabetes. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: São apresentadas informações sobre os novos análogos da insulina e, para comparação, são também revisadas as outras diferentes modalidades de insulina que estão atualmente disponíveis, focalizando nas terapias insulínicas que tentam fornecer uma aproximação mais fisiológica das estratégias basal-bolos no tratamento. Com o objetivo de obter melhor controle metabólico, mais e mais crianças estão em regimes de múltiplas injeções diárias ou usando infusões subcutâneas contínuas de insulina. Atingir controle glicêmico ótimo nas crianças é difícil devido ao maior risco de hipoglicemia decorrente da grande variabilidade em hábitos de ingerir alimentos e em níveis de atividade física. Se aplicados em bolos, subcutâneos, no diabetes tipo 1, os análogos de ação rápida, comparados com insulina humana regular, geralmente reduzem os episódios de hipoglicemia e glicemia pós-prandial, enquanto os análogos basais tendem a reduzir particularmente a hipoglicemia noturna. CONCLUSÃO: Embora os benefícios nos desfechos individuais metabólicos e clínicos pareçam modestos, a maioria dos estudos demonstra benefícios quando são usados análogos de insulina no tratamento do diabetes tipo 1 ou 2.

OBJECTIVE:To review the new options in insulin therapy for controlling diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents. SOURCES: Articles indexed in PubMed were located using the search terms insulin analogs in children and adolescents and reviewed. Information was also obtained from American Diabetes Association and Sociedade Brasileira de Diabetes consensus documents. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Information is presented on new analogs of insulin and, for purposes of comparison, the other insulin modalities currently available are also reviewed, focusing on insulin therapies which attempt to approximate basal-bolus treatment strategies to physiology. With the objective of obtaining improved metabolic control, more and more children are being put on multiple daily injection regimes or using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. It is difficult to achieve optimum glycemic control in children due to the increased risk of hypoglycemia resulting from the great variability in dietary intake habits and in physical activity levels. With diabetes type 1, if rapid-acting analogs are given subcutaneously in bolus, they generally reduce hypoglycemia episodes and postprandial glycemia levels, compared with regular human insulin, while basal analogs tend to reduce particularly the number of episodes of nocturnal hypoglycemia. CONCLUSIONS: Although the benefits to individual metabolic and clinical outcomes appear modest, the majority of studies demonstrate benefits when insulin analogs are used in the treatment of diabetes type 1 or 2.

Comparação entre a bomba de infusão de insulina subcutânea e o esquema de múltiplas doses de insulina em adolescentes com diabetes melito do tipo 1 da rede pública de saúde na abordagem da hipoglicemia grave / Comparison between continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and multiple daily injection regimens in adolescent with type 1 diabetes from a public health care system approach to severe hypoglycemia

OBJETIVO: Avaliação comparativa da freqüência de hipoglicemia severa após mudança da terapia com múltiplas doses de insulina (MDI) para bomba de insulina subcutânea (BIISC). PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Sete pacientes DM1, idade Mi = 14 anos e tempo médio de diabetes de 8 anos, comparados de acordo com a incidência de hipoglicemia, a dose total de insulina (U/Kg/d), IMC (Kg/m²) e HbA1c (vn: 3,5-6,7 por cento) 1 ano antes e 1 ano após a transferência de terapêutica. Houve redução significativa dos episódios de hipoglicemia severa (1,3 episódio/paciente/ano para zero episódio/paciente/ano; p = 0,04), na dose total diária de insulina (1,33 ± 0,26 U/Kg/dia para 0,87 ± 0,17 U/kg/dia; p = 0,04) e na HbA1c (8,7 ± 0,7 por cento para 7,8 ± 0,9 por cento; p = 0,05 com BIISC). Concluímos que a BIISC é eficaz e segura na redução de hipoglicemia severa em um subgrupo de pacientes DM1 com MDI. Entretanto, os resultados obtidos precisam ser reproduzidos em centros semelhantes e estudos de custo são necessários para que a sua viabilidade seja confirmada e aplicada nos sistemas públicos de saúde, que correspondem à maioria no nosso país.

OBJECTIVE: We compared the incidence of severe hypoglycemia episodes with therapy with multiple doses of insulin (MDI) and after changing to pump (CSII). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 7 T1DM patients with 14 years median and median duration of diabetes of 8 years. We analyzed insulin requirement (U/kg/day), BMI (Kg/m²), HbA1c (normal range: 3.5-6.7 percent) one year before and one year after changing therapy. The severe hypoglycemia episodes decreased from 1.3 to 0 episodes/patient/year; p = 0.00). The insulin requirement decreased from 1.33 ± 0.26 U/Kg/day to 0.87 ± 0.17 U/kg/day; p = 0.04 and HbA1c decreased from 8.7 ± 0.7 percent to 7.8 ± 0.9 percent; p = 0.05. CONCLUSION: CSII is efficient in decreasing severe hypoglycemia in a subgroup of T1DM using MDI also in Public Health Care System (PHCS) conditions. However, these finding should be reproduced by other Diabetes Care centers and cost studies are necessary to confirm the viability and possibility of this therapy, when necessary, to T1DM patients, which correspond to the majority of these individuals in our country, seeing in the PHCS.

Persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy--successful therapy with nifedipine.

Recent studies have demonstrated a role for calcium channel blocking agents in the treatment of persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy. We report a 30 day old infant with PHHI whom we successfully treated with oral nifedipine alone.

Trastornos agudos de la glicemia en el recién nacido / Acute disorders of blood glucose in newborn

La homeostasis de la glucosa en el recién nacido (RN) representa un complejo balance, modulado por diversos factores, entre la utilización por parte de los órganos y la capacidad de producción de glucosa. La hipoglicemia y la hiperglicemia son problemas comunes en el neonato, especialmente en niños de bajo peso de nacimiento y son signos de procesos subyacentes que alteran estos mecanismos

Growth hormone therapy.

Growth hormone therapy with rhGH (recombinant human growth hormone) has been recommended for treatment of GH deficient short stature in children, repeated hypoglycemias in infancy and early childhood due to GH deficiency, short stature accompanying chronic renal failure prior to renal transplantation and Turner's syndrome. It is now increasingly recommended to adults with GH deficiency following pituitary tumour surgery or irradiation or idiopathic hypopituitarism. There are other indications for its use where evidence for protein catabolism is very strong such as burns injury. The end points of GH therapy in children include achievement of desirable adult height or a growth rate velocity of < 2.5 cm/year. In adults GH deficiency, GH therapy is intended for improvement of general well being, body composition and metabolic markers of GH function.