Transient neonatal diabetes mellitus: a case report

Abstract

Neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) is defined as hyperglycemia in the first six months of life for at least two weeks and requiring insulin therapy. Although its incidence is 1 in 90000-160000 live births, its frequency rises to 1/30000 in societies such as our country, where consanguineous marriages are common. NDM may be seen as transient (50-60%), permanent or a part of syndromes. Clinical manifestations of NDM are intrauterine growth retardation, growth cessation, excessive urination, dehydration, and ketoacidosis. Since hyperglycemia may develop due to many different reasons in premature or low birth weight babies, difficulties and delays may occur in diagnosis. If the high blood glucose level lasts longer than 7-10 days after excluding other causes of transient hyperglycemia, it is recommended to suspect NDM and perform genetic examination, especially in infants with blood glucose above 250 mg/dL. Herein, a newborn, referred to our neonatal unit due to persistent hyperglycemia on the postnatal 15th day and diagnosed as transient NDM after excluding other causes of hyperglycemia, is presented due to the rarity of the disease. © 2024, Pamukkale University. All rights reserved.