Elsevier

Metabolism

Volume 45, Issue 8, August 1996, Pages 957-960
Metabolism

Biochemical evaluation of a patient with a familial form of leucine-sensitive hypoglycemia and concomitant hyperammonemia

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0026-0495(96)90262-0Get rights and content

Abstract

A case of a child with recurrent episodes of severe hypoglycemia since the age of 6 months is reported. Biochemical evaluation extended to the first-degree relatives is consistent with a familial form of hypoglycemia due to a leucine-sensitive hyperinsulinism. In addition, this patient has a persistent elevation of serum ammonia levels of uncertain etiology that is more pronounced after meals. Urea cycle defects, organic acidurias, and β-oxidation defects have been ruled out, as well as a possible excessive deamination of glucogenetic amino acids. This unexpected hyperammonemia, which was also detected in the mother, might be related to leucine hypersensitivity.

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