TRANSIENT NEONATAL DIABETES-MELLITUS AND MACROGLOSSIA

Transient neonatal diabetes is a rare and self-limited disorder. At pr esent a delay in beta-cell maturation is discussed to be the pathogene tic background, We report on an infant with intrauterine growth retard ation delivered in the 36th week of gestation, Postnatally a striking macroglossia was noted. On the fifth day a routine blood sample reveal ed an elevated blood glucose, There was moderate ketonuria without met abolic acidosis. At diagnosis serum levels of insulin and C-peptide we re markedly decreased, whereas counterregulatory hormones and thyroid function were within the age-specific normal range, To maintain accept able blood glucose values intermittent intravenous infusions of solubl e insulin were administered over 22 days. Thereafter spontaneous remis sion occurred, Since then the child has developed well and macroglossi a has considerably decreased. Due to an increased risk of recurrent di abetes in later life our patient remains under observation.