Neonatal hypoglycemia resulting from islet cell adenomatosis. Successful treatment with total pancreatectomy

B. F. Habbick, R. W. Cram and K. R. Miller

A female infant developed apneic spells due to hypoglycemia at 73 hours of life. It was impossible to maintain the blood glucose level despite continuous intravenously given dextrose, cortisone, diazoxide, and a low-leucine diet. A subtotal pancreatectomy was performed but there was no evidence of islet cell adenoma. On second laparotomy, the head of the pancreas was removed, and on microscopic examination, islet cell adenomatosis was found. A good clinical recovery followed. Follow-up at age 3 years and 4 months shows apparently normal mental and physical development.