MODEL FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF INTRACTABLE HYPOGLYCEMIA: INSULIN-GLUCOSE INTERRELATIONSHIPS DURING STEADY STATE INFUSIONS

Abstract

The relationship between blood glucose and Plasma insulin concentrations in hypoglycemic infants was contrasted to that observed in normal subjects while maintaining blood sugar levels in a physiological range. Glucose was infused continuously by peripheral vein at four constant rates in sequence to the following groups of subjects: (1) nine normal adults, (2) four normal infants, (3) five children who had diabetes, and (4) four infants who had intractable hypoglycemia. There was a direct relationship between blood glucose and plasma insulin concentrations in both normal groups. Although the relationship between blood glucose and plasma insulin concentrations was similar, normal infants disposed of the exogenous glucose load more rapidly than normal adults. Hypoglycemic infants had one of two responses: (1) moderate hyperinsulinemia at low blood glucose concentrations, or (2) low insulin concentrations at all blood glucose levels, a response similar to that observed in the diabetic children.