Congenital Hyperinsulinemia (CHI) constitutes a group of syndromes characterized by persistent and profound hypoglycemia, displaying diverse histological, genetic, and clinical features. Onset typically occurs within the first two years of life, with approximately one-third of cases manifesting within 28 days after birth, varying in severity (5, 6). Neonates with CHI exhibit varying clinical symptoms related to hypoglycemia, and severe cases can result in irreversible damage to the nervous system or even cerebral palsy due to inadequate glucose supply to the brain (7, 8). Early CHI diagnosis is crucial to prevent hypoglycemic brain injuries. Current diagnostic criteria encompass: (1) intravenous plasma glucose levels < 2.8mmol/L accompanied by abnormal insulin secretion (serum insulin > 1–2µIU/ml; C-peptide > 0.2mmol/L) (2) hypoketonemia (β-hydroxybutyric acid < 1.8mmol/L) (3) Low free fatty acid levels < 1.7mmol/L (4) Positive response to glucagon stimulation test (1mg intramuscular or intravenous glucagon injection, 0.5mg for newborns, with blood glucose rise ≥ 1.7mmol/L).
The neonate reported in this study was diagnosed during the neonatal period, exhibiting multiple episodes of hypoglycemia immediately after birth. Fasting diagnostic tests revealed insulin levels at 6.89 µIU/ml, β-hydroxybutyric acid at 0.08mmol/L, and free fatty acids at 206µmol/L. Following glucagon injection, the child's blood sugar increased by more than 1.7mmol/L, and blood ammonia, cortisol, and growth hormone levels were normal. The final diagnosis was confirmed by integrating genetic test results. The child received prompt treatment in the neonatal unit after birth, and subsequently, standard diagnosis and treatment were administered, preventing any clinical manifestations of neurological damage. Head MRI showed no significant brain injuries. Nine months of follow-up indicated the child's normal growth and development, underscoring the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment.
Congenital Hyperinsulinemia (CHI) is categorized into two types based on distinct mutated genes: (1) Genes linked to ion channels include ABCC8 and KCNJ11, encoding the sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) protein and the inward rectifier potassium channel (Kir6.2), respectively. These genes are responsible for the ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATPs) present in pancreatic β-cell membranes. (2) Genes associated with metabolic diseases encompass GCK, SCHAD, GLUD1, SLC16A1, HNF1A, HNF4A, and UCP2 (8, 9). Histologically, CHI is further divided into three subgroups: diffuse, focal, and atypical forms (10). Currently, the most common and severe mutations in CHI are inactivating mutations in ABCC8 and KCNJ11 (11). The β-cell ATP-sensitive potassium channel encoded by these genes is a crucial component of the glucose-stimulated insulin secretion pathway (12). Mutations in these genes disrupt insulin secretion, leading to congenital hyperinsulinemia. The inheritance patterns of ABCC8 and KCNJ11 genes are predominantly autosomal recessive, although there are instances of autosomal dominant inheritance and de novo mutations. Autosomal recessive mutations in ABCC8 and KCNJ11 genes cause persistent hypoglycemia due to structural and functional abnormalities of KATP. This results in continuous depolarization of the pancreatic β-cell membrane, activation of voltage-gated calcium channels, and influx of calcium ions into pancreatic β-cells, triggering insulin release. This type of inheritance is characterized by early onset and severe symptoms. Typically, autosomal recessive inheritance exhibits diffuse and focal disease histological types. Autosomal dominant inheritance of these genes usually leads to focal histological changes in the pancreatic islets, manifesting with late onset and milder symptoms (13, 14).
KATP-HI resulting from mutations in the ABCC8 gene is commonly inherited as either a recessive or dominant trait, with fewer documented cases involving compound heterozygous mutations. In a prior study (15), a case of CHI with compound heterozygous mutations in ABCC8 was reported. The child, born macrosomic, experienced hypoglycemia after birth and received treatment with glucose, hydrocortisone, and diazoxide. Despite the interventions, their blood sugar levels remained between 2.4 and 2.7 mmol/L. Subsequently, the condition progressed to diabetes following subtotal pancreatectomy surgery. Another case, as reported by Kumaran et al. (16), involved a newborn with a complex heterozygous mutation in ABCC8 (mutation sites C.502cC > T and C.1817G > C). This macrosomic child was admitted to the hospital due to hypoglycemia just 2 hours after birth, experiencing seizures the following day. The 18F-DOPA-PET/CT scan indicated diffuse CHI. While the patient responded poorly to diazoxide, their blood glucose stabilized after transitioning to octreotide and glucagon. Additionally, Al Balwi et al. (17) described a novel compound heterozygous mutation in the ABCC8 gene. The patient exhibited a poor response to diazoxide but positively responded to octreotide.
These literature findings indicate that patients with CHI harboring compound heterozygous mutations in the ABCC8 gene tend to experience neonatal onset and are frequently macrosomic. Most cases with biallelic ABCC8 gene mutations present as diffuse histotypes (18). In the cases described in this study, CHI onset occurred within 24 hours after birth, manifesting as severe and refractory hypoglycemia. An 18F-DOPA-PET/CT scan revealed diffuse CHI and poor responsiveness to diazoxide treatment. Genetic analysis identified two heterozygous mutations in the ABCC8 gene (c.946G > A and c.2153G > A), both predicted to be pathogenic based on bioinformatics software analysis. The former mutation, inherited from the father, was previously reported by WU et al. (19). Interestingly, their study indicated that CHI patients with the c.946G > A mutation showed a positive response to diazoxide treatment, with the drug gradually discontinued by the age of 2. The latter mutation is novel, inherited from the mother, and has not been documented in existing literature. We consider this mutation (c.2153G > A) to be pathogenic, acting synergistically with the former mutation (c.946G > A) on KATP channels, leading to clinical heterogeneity. Notably, the clinical manifestations of CHI are influenced not only by the type of mutation but also by the specific mutant gene locus. The identification of this new ABCC8 gene locus offers a valuable theoretical basis for our diagnosis and treatment of CHI.
The treatment of congenital hyperinsulinemia encompasses both medication and surgical options. Diazoxide stands as the primary medication of choice (20). Functioning as a KATP channel opener, it binds to the SUR1 subunit of KATP-sensitive potassium channels, hindering β-cell depolarization and reducing insulin secretion (21). Common side effects of this drug include cardiac failure, fluid retention, pulmonary edema, hypertension, and neutropenia. Notably, CHI patients with functional KATP channels in the β-cell membrane respond better to diazoxide therapy. However, most cases of KATP-HI resulting from ABCC8 or KCNJ11 mutations do not respond effectively to diazoxide treatment. As alternatives to diazoxide, growth inhibitor analogues, nifedipine, GLP1 receptor antagonists, and sirolimus are considered (22).
If conservative treatment fails, an 18F-DOPA PET/CT scan can help assess the need for surgical intervention. Nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, impacts insulin release by interacting with calcium channels on the β-cell membrane of pancreatic islets. Potential side effects of calcium channel blockers include dizziness, headache, and hypotension, among others (23). The use of nifedipine in CHI treatment has been sparingly reported both domestically and internationally. A previous study (24) documented a case of persistent hypoglycemia in CHI children unresponsive to diazoxide treatment after near-total pancreatic resection. This patient was successfully managed with octreotide and nifedipine post-surgery. Similarly, Khawash et al. (25) published a case study involving a child with a complex heterozygous mutation in the ABCC8 gene. Following subtotal pancreatectomy, the child was treated with octreotide and nifedipine, maintaining normal blood glucose levels monitored through a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS).
The mentioned reports indicate that blood glucose control can be achieved with nifedipine, often in combination with another drug, as described here. We speculate that nifedipine and octreotide might have a synergistic effect. However, a separate study investigating the long-term use of nifedipine in 11 CHI patients with ABCC8 mutations found no improvement in patients' hypoglycemia(26). The response to nifedipine could depend on an underlying heritable defect. While there remains some controversy surrounding nifedipine treatment, our experience corroborates its usefulness in congenital hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia, offering additional therapeutic options for CHI. Mechanistic insights in this area are limited, and further experimental studies are necessary to validate these findings.
The simultaneous occurrence of genetic mutations at two distinct sites, inherited from both parents, likely accounts for the child's inadequate response to diazoxide treatment, as demonstrated in this study. Consequently, the complex heterozygous mutation in the ABCC8 gene presents multifaceted clinical characteristics. The structural and functional alterations in the protein encoded by the child's ABCC8 gene disrupt the normal expression of KATP channel subunits on the cell surface. Additionally, this research identified a novel mutation in the ABCC8 gene locus and confirmed the effectiveness of octreotide combined with nifedipine in treating CHI patients. This finding provides a practical approach for CHI medication therapy.