Leucine-Induced Hypoglycemia

Abstract

SPONTANEOUS hypoglycemia in infancy may, on rare occasions, be precipitated by the ingestion of casein, L-leucine or isovaleric acid, an intermediary metabolite of leucine.^{1 2 3 4} Recently, this phenomenon of "leucine-induced hypoglycemia" was observed to be associated with a rise in plasma insulin level.^{5 , 6} A case of leucine-induced hypoglycemia in an infant who, at autopsy, showed hyperplasia of pancreatic islet cells is reported below. In addition the patient had massive bilateral subdural hematomas, with cerebral atrophy.Case ReportP.C., a 3 1/2-month-old female Negro infant, was admitted to the Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health on July 13, 1959, because . . .