We report on two children with mild persistent hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycae
mia. In both, oral nifedipine treatment (0.7 and 2.0 mg/kg per day respecti
vely) had a significant clinical effect. In one case, nifedipine monotherap
y prevented hypoglycaemia; in the second case, the dosage and the side-effe
cts of other substances could be reduced, thus circumventing surgical thera
py.
Conclusion Nifedipine treatment has a favourable effect on the clinical cou
rse of patients with mild hyperinsulinism. It represents a valuable new sub
stance for the treatment of this disorder.