Pulmonary hypertension and reopening of the ductus arteriosus in an infant treated with diazoxide

• Published in: Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism Vol. 24; no. 7-8; pp. 603 - 605
• Main Authors: Demirel, Fatma, Unal, Sevim, Çetin, I. Ilker, Esen, Ihsan, Araslı, Aslıhan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Walter de Gruyter 01.08.2011
• Subjects: Diagnosis, Differential; diazoxide; Diazoxide - adverse effects; Diazoxide - therapeutic use; ductus arteriosus; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent - chemically induced; Humans; Hyperinsulinism - drug therapy; Hyperinsulinism - physiopathology; Hypertension, Pulmonary - chemically induced; Hypoglycemia - etiology; Hypoglycemic Agents - adverse effects; Hypoglycemic Agents - therapeutic use; Infant, Newborn; Male; pulmonary hypertension; Recurrence; Sepsis - diagnosis; Severity of Illness Index; toxic effect; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0334-018X; 2191-0251
• DOI: 10.1515/jpem.2011.238

Diazoxide is the main therapeutic agent for persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. Generally, it is tolerated well, but rarely it can cause severe life-threatening complications. We report a neonate who was treated with diazoxide for hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. On the 6th day of the treatment we observed sepsis-mimicking symptoms, mild pulmonary hypertension, and re-opening of the ductus arteriosus. All these findings resolved dramatically shortly after discontinuation of treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of re-opening of the ductus arteriosus due to diazoxide toxicity.