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Wolfsdorf JI, Derks TGJ, Drachmann D, Shah P, Thornton PS, Weinstein DA. Idiopathic Pathological Ketotic Hypoglycemia: Finding the Needle in a Haystack. Horm Res Paediatr 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38513624 DOI: 10.1159/000538483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Sick children often have a decreased appetite and experience vomiting and diarrhea; however, hypoglycemia (plasma glucose concentration ≤50 mg/dL or 2.8 mmol/L) is rare. Ketotic hypoglycemia (KH) is the most common cause of hypoglycemia presenting to an Emergency Department in a previously healthy child between 6 months and 6 years of age. Ketosis and hypoglycemia are now well understood to be normal physiologic responses of young children to prolonged fasting.There is now substantial evidence that the term KH describes a variety of conditions including both the lower end of the normal distribution of fasting tolerance in young children as well as numerous rare disorders that impair fasting adaptation. Recent advances in molecular genetic testing have led to the discovery of these rare disorders. Idiopathic pathological KH is a diagnosis of exclusion that describes rare children who have abnormally limited fasting tolerance, experience recurrent episodes of KH, or develop symptoms of hypoglycemia despite elevated ketone levels, and in whom an explanation cannot be found despite extensive investigation. This review provides an approach to distinguishing between physiological KH and pathological KH and includes recommendations for management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph I Wolfsdorf
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Terry G J Derks
- Section of Metabolic Diseases, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Danielle Drachmann
- Ketotic Hypoglycemia International, Skanderborg, Denmark, Patient-Centered Research, Evidera, London, UK
| | - Pratik Shah
- Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, The Royal London Children's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust and Honorary Senior Lecturer, Queen Mary University London, London, UK
| | - Paul S Thornton
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes and the Congenital Hyperinsulinism Center, Cook Children's Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, Burnett School of Medicine, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - David A Weinstein
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
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Millar R, Harding A. Review article: Accelerated starvation of childhood: Have I judged ketones? Emerg Med Australas 2019; 31:314-320. [PMID: 30916481 DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.13276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Acute ketosis is an important physiological mechanism to prevent irreversible neurological damage from hypoglycaemia during starvation, and represents a significant metabolic stress. A cohort of children adapt to relatively short periods of reduced caloric intake by generating large quantities of ketone bodies. When excessive, the gastrointestinal symptoms of starvation ketosis such as nausea and pain may create a vicious cycle that delays spontaneous resolution. The presence of ketones can be dismissed as a normal feature of childhood metabolism, sometimes even when extreme. A broader understanding of this process under the banner of 'accelerated starvation of childhood' is helpful for clinicians managing acute illness in children. We advocate that children less than 7 years of age with a history suggestive of accelerated starvation of childhood should be screened by emergency clinicians for ketosis using a simple and cheap bedside capillary test, even if glucose levels are greater than 2.6 mmol/L. Identification and appropriate management of ketosis may alleviate the distressing gastrointestinal symptoms associated with many minor illnesses, and potentially prevent hypoglycaemia in some children. Appropriate advice to carers may be helpful to prevent further episodes. Illustrative case examples from our own practice are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Millar
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Epworth Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anton Harding
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Epworth Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Guetg A, Mariotta L, Bock L, Herzog B, Fingerhut R, Camargo SMR, Verrey F. Essential amino acid transporter Lat4 (Slc43a2) is required for mouse development. J Physiol 2015; 593:1273-89. [PMID: 25480797 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2014.283960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Amino acid (AA) uniporter Lat4 (Slc43a2) mediates facilitated diffusion of branched-chain AAs, methionine and phenylalanine, although its physiological role and subcellular localization are not known. We report that Slc43a2 knockout mice were born at expected Mendelian frequency but displayed an ∼10% intrauterine growth retardation and low amniotic fluid AAs, suggesting defective transplacental transport. Postnatal growth was strongly reduced, with premature death occurring within 9 days such that further investigations were made within 3 days of birth. Lat4 immunofluorescence showed a strong basolateral signal in the small intestine, kidney proximal tubule and thick ascending limb epithelial cells of wild-type but not Slc43a2 null littermates and no signal in liver and skeletal muscle. Experiments using Xenopus laevis oocytes demonstrated that Lat4 functioned as a symmetrical low affinity uniporter with a K₀.₅ of ∼5 mm for both in- and efflux. Plasma AA concentration was decreased in Slc43a2 null pups, in particular that of non-essential AAs alanine, serine, histidine and proline. Together with an increased level of plasma long chain acylcarnitines and a strong alteration of liver gene expression, this indicates malnutrition. Attempts to rescue pups by decreasing the litter size or by nutrients injected i.p. did not succeed. Radioactively labelled leucine but not lysine given per os accumulated in the small intestine of Slc43a2null pups, suggesting the defective transcellular transport of Lat4 substrates. In summary, Lat4 is a symmetrical uniporter for neutral essential AAs localizing at the basolateral side of (re)absorbing epithelia and is necessary for early nutrition and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Guetg
- Institute of Physiology and Zurich Center of Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
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Klein MS, Almstetter MF, Nürnberger N, Sigl G, Gronwald W, Wiedemann S, Dettmer K, Oefner PJ. Correlations between milk and plasma levels of amino and carboxylic acids in dairy cows. J Proteome Res 2013; 12:5223-32. [PMID: 23931703 DOI: 10.1021/pr4006537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the concentrations of 19 amino acids, glucose, and seven carboxylic acids in the blood and milk of dairy cows and their correlations with established markers of ketosis. To that end, blood plasma and milk specimens were collected throughout lactation in two breeds of dairy cows of different milk yield. Plasma concentrations of glucose, pyruvate, lactate, α-aminobutyrate, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), and most amino acids, except for glutamate and aspartate, were on average 9.9-fold higher than their respective milk levels. In contrast, glutamate, aspartate, and the Krebs cycle intermediates succinate, fumarate, malate, and citrate were on average 9.1-fold higher in milk than in plasma. For most metabolites, with the exception of BHBA and threonine, no significant correlations were observed between their levels in plasma and milk. Additionally, milk levels of acetone showed significant direct relationships with the glycine-to-alanine ratio and the BHBA concentration in plasma. The marked decline in plasma concentrations of glucose, pyruvate, lactate, and alanine in cows with plasma BHBA levels above the diagnostic cutoff point for subclinical ketosis suggests that these animals fail to meet their glucose demand and, as a consequence, rely increasingly on ketone bodies as a source of energy. The concomitant increase in plasma glycine may reflect not only the excessive depletion of protein reserves but also a potential deficiency of vitamin B6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias S Klein
- Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Regensburg , Regensburg, Germany
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Abstract
Ketotic hypoglycemia (KH) is recognized in the pediatric literature as the most common cause of childhood hypoglycemia. Since the first manifestation of the syndrome is classically that of new onset seizures, initial emergency department presentation is likely. We describe a representative case and emphasize the importance of routine serum glucose and urine ketone measurements in young children with new onset seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- E S Pollack
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Maricopa Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85010
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Kawo NG, Msengi AE, Swai AB, Chuwa LM, Alberti KG, McLarty DG. Specificity of hypoglycaemia for cerebral malaria in children. Lancet 1990; 336:454-7. [PMID: 1974988 DOI: 10.1016/0140-6736(90)92009-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Glycaemic status on hospital admission was compared in 97 children with severe falciparum malaria (36 with cerebral malaria) and 89 children with other serious illnesses (32 in coma; 57 with acute pneumonia, not in coma). The frequency of hypoglycaemia (blood glucose below 2.2 mmol/l) did not differ significantly between malarial and control patients (5.2% vs 11.2%) nor between the comatose (11.1% vs 18.8%) and conscious (1.6% vs 7.0%) malarial and control subgroups. Compared with normoglycaemic patients, hypoglycaemic patients had appropriately low serum insulin (3.0 vs 8.2 mU/l) and C-peptide (0.13 vs 0.42 mmol/l) and high plasma non-esterified fatty acids (1.42 vs 0.83 mmol/l). Hypoglycaemia, the level of consciousness, and death were all significantly associated with the time since the last meal. Hypoglycaemia is not a specific complication of malaria but is found in severely ill fasted children, resulting from glycogen depletion and perhaps impaired hepatic gluconeogenesis. It should be sought in all severely sick children. A single bolus dose of glucose may not be enough to correct it.
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Affiliation(s)
- N G Kawo
- Department of Paediatrics, Muhimbili Medical Centre, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Lamers KJ, Doesburg WH, Gabreëls FJ, Lemmens WA, Romsom AC, Wevers RA, Renier WO. The concentration of blood components related to fuel metabolism during prolonged fasting in children. Clin Chim Acta 1985; 152:155-63. [PMID: 4053396 DOI: 10.1016/0009-8981(85)90186-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In order to study the relationship between sex, age and glucose, and the concentrations of various fuel related blood substrates in children during prolonged fasting, we have selected data of fasting procedures in 13 control children aged 3-5 yr, fasted 24 h, and 58 control children aged 6-15 yr, fasted 40 h. Compared to the blood results after overnight fast, glucose is decreased, and lactate, pyruvate, ketones and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA's) are all clearly increased at the end of fast. The concentrations of alanine and triglycerides remain unchanged. The relation with sex, age and glucose has only been analyzed in the older children group. A sex-dependency is indicated for the ketones. Ketones are negatively related with age. NEFA's pyruvate and alanine are not age-related, whereas glucose, lactate and triglycerides are moderately age-dependent. Ketones are negatively related with glucose, whereas pyruvate, NEFA's and triglycerides are not glucose-related. Lactate and alanine are weakly related to glucose. The data demonstrate diminished glucose homeostasis and increased ketogenesis in younger children compared to older ones during prolonged fasting.
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Lamers KJ, Doesburg WH, Gabreëls FJ, Romsom AC, Renier WO, Wevers RA, Lemmens WA. Reference values of blood components related to fuel metabolism in children after an overnight fast. Clin Chim Acta 1985; 145:17-26. [PMID: 3978820 DOI: 10.1016/0009-8981(85)90015-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The interrelation between blood components, involved in fuel metabolism, and age, sex and glucose was studied in 72 control children (26 girls and 46 boys, aged between 3 and 15 yr) after an overnight fast (14 h). Glucose, lactate, pyruvate, triglycerides and cholesterol are age-independent. Alanine is positively correlated, whereas beta-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate and NEFA's are negatively correlated with age. With respect to blood sugar, acetoacetate, NEFA's and cholesterol are glucose-independent. Lactate, pyruvate, alanine and triglycerides are positively correlated with glucose, and beta-hydroxybutyrate--and total ketone bodies--are negatively correlated with glucose. Except for triglycerides, no differences in the concentrations of the above mentioned blood substrates are seen between boys and girls. These data demonstrate that after an overnight fast lipolysis and ketogenesis already are active in young children, probably related to inadequate gluconeogenesis and improvement of carbohydrate regulation with age.
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Hansen IL, Levy MM, Kerr DS. Differential diagnosis of hypoglycemia in children by responses to fasting and 2-deoxyglucose. Metabolism 1983; 32:960-70. [PMID: 6350809 DOI: 10.1016/0026-0495(83)90136-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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