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Review
. 2023 Aug 11;15(16):3544.
doi: 10.3390/nu15163544.

Hypoglycemia in Children: Major Endocrine-Metabolic Causes and Novel Therapeutic Perspectives

Alessia Quarta  1 , Daniela Iannucci  1 , Miriana Guarino  1 , Annalisa Blasetti  1 , Francesco Chiarelli  1
Affiliations
Review

Hypoglycemia in Children: Major Endocrine-Metabolic Causes and Novel Therapeutic Perspectives

Alessia Quarta et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Hypoglycemia is due to defects in the metabolic systems involved in the transition from the fed to the fasting state or in the hormone control of these systems. In children, hypoglycemia is considered a metabolic-endocrine emergency, because it may lead to brain injury, permanent neurological sequelae and, in rare cases, death. Symptoms are nonspecific, particularly in infants and young children. Diagnosis is based on laboratory investigations during a hypoglycemic event, but it may also require biochemical tests between episodes, dynamic endocrine tests and molecular genetics. This narrative review presents the age-related definitions of hypoglycemia, its pathophysiology and main causes, and discusses the current diagnostic and modern therapeutic approaches.

Keywords: endocrine hypoglycemia; glucose homeostasis; hypoglycemia; inborn errors of metabolism.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 2
Figure 2
Major disorders of carbohydrate metabolism related to hypoglycemia. Abbreviations: GSD: glycogen storage disease, GNG-D: gluconeogenesis disorder, HFI: hereditary fructose intolerance.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Regulatory mechanisms of glucose homeostasis. Abbreviations: FFA: free fatty acids, GH: growth hormone.
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