Serum concentrations of pancreatic glucagon were measured in 40 patien
ts with hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. In infants with severe disease
the glucagon levels were markedly elevated; lower levels were observed
in children with episodic hypoglycemia. During diazoxide treatment an
d after pancreatectomy, the glucagon levels decreased proportionally t
o suppression of the insulin secretion. Thus the secretion of glucagon
seems to be retained in hyperinsulinism in proportion to the insulin
hypersecretion, and an increased glucagon level indicates long duratio
n and severity of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia.